Unit 17. Have and have got
(использование have и have got)

Have and have got (= possess, own etc.)
We often use have got rather than have alone. So you can say:

We've got a new car. or We have a new car.
Ann has got two sisters. or Ann has two sisters.

We use have got or have for illnesses, pains etc.:

I've got a headache. or I have a headache.

In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:

Have you got any money?
Do you have any money?
Have you any money? (less usual)
Has she got a car?
Does she have a car?
Has she a car? (less usual)

I haven't got any money.
I don't have any money.
I haven't any money. (less usual)
She hasn't got a car.
She doesn't have a car.
She hasn't a car. (less usual)

When have means 'possess' etc., you cannot use continuous forms (is having / are having etc.):

I have / I've got a headache. (not I'm having)

For the past we use had (usually without got):

Ann had long fair hair when she was a child. (not Ann had got)

In past questions and negative sentences we normally use did/ didn't:

Did they have a car when they were living in London?
I didn't have a watch, so I didn't know the time.
Ann had long fair hair, didn't she?

Have breakfast / have a bath / have a good time etc.
Have (but not have got) is also used for many actions and experiences. For example:

have

breakfast / dinner / a cup of coffee / a cigarette etc.
a bath / a shower / a swim / a rest / a party / a holiday / a nice time etc.
an accident / an experience / a dream etc.
a look (at something) / a chat (with somebody)
a baby (= give birth to a baby)
difficulty / trouble / fun

Goodbye! I hope you have a nice time.
Mary had a baby recently.

Have got is not possible in these expressions. Compare:

I usually have a sandwich for my lunch. (have = eat - not have got)
but I've got some sandwiches. Would you like one?

In these expressions, have is like other verbs. You can use continuous forms (is having / are having etc.) where suitable:

I had a postcard from Fred this morning. He's on holiday. He says he's having a wonderful time. (not he has a wonderful time)
The phone rang while we were having dinner. (not while we had)

In questions and negative sentences we normally use do/ does/ did:

I don't usually have a big breakfast. (not I usually haven't)
What time does Ann have lunch? (not has Ann lunch)
Did you have any difficulty finding somewhere to live?

See Appendix 7. American English (американский диалект).

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Unit 17. Have and have got (использование have и have got)

Unit 17. Have and have got
(использование have и have got)