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have

A1
noun
Very common

Pronunciation

UK

    US

    • /ˈhæv/

    Meanings

    Auxiliary

    1. used with a past participle to form perfect tenses

    2. used with to to express obligation or necessity

    Verb

    1. possess, own, contain, or be characterized by something

    2. experience, undergo, or be affected by something

    3. cause, ask, or arrange for someone to do something

    More meanings
    1. eat or drink something, especially a meal

    2. give birth to or become the parent of a child

    Beyond the definition

    The little word "have" seems simple, but it is surprisingly versatile! Most often, it shows that something belongs to you or is part of your life, as in "I have a car" or "She has two sisters." It can also talk about experiences and actions, such as having a good time, having a dream, or having breakfast. Another very common use is obligation: "I have to finish my homework" means I am required to do it. Finally, it often works as a helper verb in sentences like "I have eaten," where it helps show time. So this small word can talk about what belongs to you, what is part of your life, what you do, and what you must do.

    Examples

    1. 1

      Borrowing

      Do you have a pen I can borrow?

    2. 2

      Family

      She has two younger brothers.

    3. 3

      Ordering food

      I'll have the chicken soup, please.

      • PhraseI'll have ...

        used to order or choose something

    4. 4

      Meals

      We usually have lunch around noon.

      • Phrasehave lunch

        eat lunch

    More examples
    1. 5

      Time available

      I don't have much time this morning.

    2. 6

      Illness

      He had a bad cold last week.

      • Phrasehave a cold

        be ill with a cold

    3. 7

      Enjoyment

      We had a great time at the beach.

      • Phrasehave a great time

        enjoy yourself a lot

    4. 8

      Not knowing

      I have no idea why the app keeps closing.

      • Phrasehave no idea

        not know at all

    5. 9

      Business meeting

      We have a meeting with the client at ten.

    6. 10

      Difficulty

      She has trouble remembering names.

      • Patternhave trouble doing X

        find it hard to do it

    7. 11

      Obligation

      I have to leave early today.

      • Phrasehave to

        must

    8. 12

      Present perfect

      I've already finished the report.

      • GrammarI've finished

        finished before now, and it matters now

    9. 13

      Arranged service

      We're having the kitchen painted next month.

      • Patternhave something done

        arrange for someone else to do it

    10. 14

      Giving instructions

      I'll have my assistant send you the details.

      • Patternhave someone do something

        tell or arrange for someone to do it

    See also

    Similar

    Shades of meaning

    Contrast

    Used with (collocations)

    • have a car
    • have enough money
    • have access to

    Word family

    Explore

    Forms and spellings

    4 forms open this card.

    Main spelling

    • haveverbnoun

    Forms

    • hasverbnoun
    • hadpast tensepast participleverbnoun
    • having-ing formverbnoun