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Have and have got, part 3 of 3

Have Got vs Have: Which One to Use

To say you own something now, both work: I've got a car or I have a car. For the past (had) and for actions like have lunch, only have.

A1 · 14 minBefore:Have got

The idea

When to use have got and when to use have

To say what you own now, both work: We've got time means We have time. For everything else, use have.

  1. Owning, now: both. She's got a dog. She has a dog.
  2. In the past: only had. Have got has no past: I had a dog.
  3. An action: only have. Eating, drinking, having fun: We have lunch at one.

When to use it

To choose well: owning something now works with both; eating, having fun, and the past take only have. These expressions go with it:

Eating and drinking (only have)

  • have lunch
  • have dinner
  • have a snack
  • have a coffee

Things you do (only have)

  • have fun
  • have a good time
  • have a fight
  • have a great day

Owning, now (both)

  • have an appointment
  • have a sister
  • have a problem
  • have plans

Examples

  • Owning something now: both

    We've got a big yard.

  • Owning in the past: only had

    My dad had a motorcycle years ago.

  • A meal: only have

    We have breakfast together.

  • Something you do: only have

    They have a party every Friday.

  • Asking with do

    Do you have a charger?

  • Asking with have got

    Have you got an umbrella?

How to build it

4 steps

  1. Is it owning something, now?A thing, a person, what you look like, or what is wrong: both.I've got a sister. I have a sister.
  2. Is it another time?Have got is only present; in the past, had:Last year I had a cat.
  3. Is it something you do?Eating, drinking, or having fun: only have.I have a snack at four.
  4. Do not mix themDo goes with have; have got has no do:Do you have...? Have you got...?

Question with have

  1. Do / DoesDo
  2. subjectthey
  3. havehave
  4. complementa garage
  5. ??

Question with have got

  1. Have / HasHave
  2. subjectthey
  3. gotgot
  4. complementa garage
  5. ??

The rule

Have or have got

To sayWith haveWith have got
Owning, nowI have a truck.I've got a truck.
Not owning, nowI don't have a truck.I haven't got a truck.
Owning, in the pastI had a truck.No: only had
Eating or having funI have lunch.No: only have

How to pronounce it

  • have got

    /hæv ˈɡɑt/

    Two words. In American English got rhymes with hot.

  • had

    /hæd/

    The final d is short but you can hear it: had and has do not sound the same.

Check

My parents (blank) dinner at nine. Which one goes in the blank?

Don't confuse it with I'm having

They're having dinner.

An action, right now: having

They've got a new car.

Owning: have got, no -ing

Have as an action can also take -ing for what is happening now. Have meaning own and have got take no -ing.

Present simple or continuous

In real life

In the US the most common choice is have with do: Do you have...?, I don't have... I've got is also very common in speech; Have you got...? sounds more British.

Frequently asked questions

Is have got British English?

It is used on both sides, but more in the UK. In the US you hear I've got in speech; in negatives and questions the usual choice is I don't have and Do you have...?

Is I got the same as I've got?

In fast American speech you sometimes hear I got two kids, but in writing it is I've got. Also, I got on its own is the past of get: I got an email.

How do you answer Do you have...? and Have you got...?

With the helper from the question: Do you have a scooter? Yes, I do. Have you got a scooter? Yes, I have.

In short

  • Owning something now: have or have got, both.
  • Owning in the past: had (I had a dog).
  • Eating, drinking, or having fun: only have (have lunch, have fun).
  • Do goes with have: Do you have...? With no do: Have you got...?
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By Bryan López ·
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