Understanding “Have” and “Have Got”

Many English learners get confused about the difference between “have” and “have got”. Let’s break it down in simple terms and learn how to use them correctly.

“Have” vs. “Have Got”

Both “have” and “have got” are used to talk about possession, relationships, illnesses, or characteristics.

For example:

• “I have a car.”
• “I have got a car.”

Both mean the same thing. However, “have got” is more common in informal British English.

Questions and Negatives

With “have”, use the auxiliary verb “do” to form questions and negatives:

• “Do you have a car?”
• “I don’t have a car.”

With “have got”, use the auxiliary verb “have”:

• “Have you got a car?”
• “I haven’t got a car.”

Future and Past Tenses

The phrase “have got” is only used in the present tense. For the future or past, use forms of “have” instead:

• “Will you have time tomorrow?”
• “I had a headache yesterday.”

“Have Had” and “Had Had”

These forms are used for perfect tenses:

• “I have had this car for five years.” (Present Perfect: started in the past, still true now)
• “I had had breakfast before I went out.” (Past Perfect: completed before another past action)

Quick Recap

Use “have got” for informal present tense. For other tenses, stick to “have” forms. Always remember:

• Present: “I have got a car.” or “I have a car.”
• Future: “Will you have a car?”
• Past: “I had a car.”