Have is a fundamental English verb used to express possession, relationships, experiences, and necessity. As a main verb, it shows that someone possesses or owns something, or that they are connected to someone or something. It also functions as an auxiliary verb in forming perfect tenses and expressing obligations.
- Main uses: possession, relationships, experiences, necessity
- Forms: have, has, had; (auxiliary) been, (main) had
- Can be both a main verb and an auxiliary verb
Meaning and Usage
- Possession: To own or possess something (physical or abstract).
- I have a car. / She has two brothers. / They have a new idea.
- Relationships: To be connected to or include.
- We have three children. / He has a good friend in Canada.
- Experiences/States: To undergo or be in a certain condition.
- She has a cold. / They had a great time at the party.
- Necessity/Obligation (with 'have to'): To express required actions.
- I have to leave early. / You have to study for the exam.
- Auxiliary verb: Used in perfect tenses to show completed actions.
- I have seen that movie. / She has finished her homework.
'Have' is not used for making suggestions.
Conjugation
| Subject | Present | Past | Present Participle | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | have | had | having | had |
| You | have | had | having | had |
| He/She/It | has | had | having | had |
| We | have | had | having | had |
| They | have | had | having | had |
- Positive: I/You/We/They have, He/She/It has, (all) had
- Negative: ... do/does/did + not + have
- Questions: Do/Does/Did + subject + have?
The past tense of 'have' is 'had' for all subjects.
Examples in Sentences
Possession
| Subject | Positive | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| I/You/We/They | I have a laptop. | I don't have a car. | Do you have a pen? |
| He/She/It | She has a dog. | He doesn't have time. | Does he have a key? |
Relationships
- They have three children.
- She has a close friend at school.
- Do you have any siblings?
Experiences/States
- I have a headache.
- We had dinner at 7 pm.
- Has she ever been to Paris?
Necessity (Have to)
- You have to wear a uniform.
- I have to finish this report.
- Does he have to attend the meeting?
Auxiliary (Perfect Tenses)
- I have seen that show before.
- She has traveled to Japan.
- They had already left when I arrived.
'Have' for possession is shown in 'She has three cats,' 'We have a test tomorrow,' and 'Do you have any questions?'.
Exercises
- List three different meanings of "have" and give an example sentence for each.
- Conjugate "have" in the present and past for all subjects.
- Identify the role of "have" in this sentence: "She has finished her homework."
Conclusion
The verb "have" is essential for expressing possession, relationships, experiences, and obligations in English. Its versatility as both a main and auxiliary verb makes it indispensable for clear communication.
- Use "have" for possession, relationships, experiences, and necessity.
- Remember its dual role as a main and auxiliary verb.
- Practice different forms: have/has/had for various subjects and contexts.