have

have [ weak əv, həv, strong hæv ] (3rd person singular has [ weak əz, həz, strong hæz ] ; past tense and past participle had [ weak əd, həd, strong hæd ] ) verb ***

Have can be used in the following ways:

as an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses of verbs (followed by a past participle):

We have lived here for 20 years.

Who's eaten all the grapes? (used without a following past participle):

Ellen hasn't finished, but I have. Questions, negatives, and tag questions using the auxiliary verb have are formed without do:

Has the meeting finished?

You haven't eaten anything.

The customers haven't complained, have they?

as a transitive verb used in descriptions, and for talking about possession, relationships, or the state that someone or something is in:

She has dark curly hair.

He had two sisters. This use of have is never in progressive or passive forms. Have got is often used instead of have for these meanings, especially in spoken English and informal writing, but only in the present tense:

Alan's got a new bike. Questions and negatives can be formed by using do or have got:

Do you have any money?

Have you got any money?

We don't have any money.

We haven't got any money. Tag questions are formed with do when the main verb is have, and with do or sometimes have when the main verb is have got:

They have a nice house, don't they?

We've still got a few more minutes, haven't we?

as a transitive verb used for talking about actions and experiences:

I had a good time at the party. This use of have can sometimes be in the progressive but is almost never in the passive:

She's having a baby.

Are you having a drink? Have got is not used, and neither short forms of have nor weak forms of pronunciation are ever used in these meanings. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do:

Did you have a nice walk?

I didn't have breakfast this morning.

They had quite a bad accident, didn't they?

as a transitive verb (followed by an object and then a participle or infinitive without to ):

How often do you have your hair cut?

I'll have someone clean out your room. This use of have can be in the progressive:

I'm having all the carpets cleaned. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do:

Did you have the engine checked?

as a verb used for talking about what is necessary (followed by a verb in the infinitive with to ):

I had to wait for an hour. (followed by to without a verb in the infinitive):

We'll fight for our rights if we have to. This use of have can be in the progressive:

I was having to work every weekend. Have got to is often used instead of have to, especially in spoken English and in informal writing, but only in the present tense:

You've got to show your passport. Questions, negatives, and tag questions are formed with do:

Do we have to pay now?

You don't have to leave yet.

We have to take a test, don't we?

1. ) used for forming perfect tenses never progressive

a ) used for forming the PERFECT TENSES of verbs. The perfect tenses are used for talking about what happened or began before now or another point in time:

Has anybody seen Dave this afternoon?

I've been looking for you everywhere.

She hadn't eaten anything for three days.

Has Jerry done his homework? No, he hasn't.

Have you washed your hands? Of course I have.

We didn't get a chance to talk to her, but I wish we had.

Ben's done very well, hasn't he?

So, you've decided to join the party, have you?

b ) having done something/having been after you have done something/after something has happened to you:

Having spent over $200 on repairs, she wasn't expecting any more problems.

Having been warned of the danger, I took extra precautions.

c ) had someone/something done something... used for saying that something would have happened if the situation had been different:

Had I realized what you were intending to do, I would have stopped you.

2. ) have or have got used for describing someone or something transitive never progressive

a ) used for saying what the physical features of someone or something are:

The room had a balcony facing the ocean.

Dr. Morel had dark piercing eyes.

I noticed that the old man didn't have any teeth.

b ) used for saying what the qualities of someone's personality are:

Shackleton had all the qualities of a great leader.

Unfortunately, she didn't have enough common sense to call the doctor.

have it in you/have what it takes (to do something) (=have the necessary qualities to do something): It was Jane who led the protest. I never knew she had it in her.

Do you think Ken's got what it takes to be good doctor?

3. ) have or have got used for showing possession transitive never progressive

a ) to own something:

They have a house in the suburbs.

If you had a computer, I could send the directions to you by e-mail.

b ) to be holding something or carrying something with you:

What's that you've got in your hand?

Do you have a pen I could borrow?

have something on you: I don't have any money on me.

4. ) do or experience something transitive never passive

a ) to do something:

Let's have a look at the damage.

You'll feel better when you've had a nap.

Senator McCain had a conversation with the President about this issue.

We're having a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

b ) have a baby/child/twins etc. to give birth:

She was only sixteen when she had her first child.

Linda's going to have a baby.

c ) used for saying that something happens to you or you experience something:

We almost had an accident on the freeway.

Keith's been having a lot of problems with his computer.

Bill is going into hospital to have a knee operation.

have a good time/a bad day etc.: Did you have a good time at the party?

I had a terrible day at the office.

have something done (=something happens to you): While they were on vacation, they had their car broken into.

d ) have a good/nice something SPOKEN used for saying that you hope someone enjoys something such as a trip, vacation, or period of time:

Have a good weekend. See you on Monday.

5. ) have or have got used for stating a relationship transitive never progressive

a ) used for stating the relationship between someone and their family members:

They've got two kids of their own.

She has a cousin living nearby.

b ) used for stating the relationship between someone and their friends, enemies, people they work with, etc.:

I've got a friend who works at NBC.

Gary knew he had some dangerous enemies.

I hear you've got a new boss.

6. ) have or have got when you should or must do something

a ) have to do something if you have to do something, you must do it because it is necessary:

I had to leave early to pick up the kids at school.

If you want to use the fax machine, you'll have to ask Shirley.

We're having to be very careful not to upset our customers.

There will have to be an official investigation into the accident.

do not have to do something (=it is not necessary): You don't have to come if you don't want to.

b ) have a duty/responsibility/obligation etc. (to do something) if you have a duty, responsibility, etc., you should or must do something:

I have a duty to report anything suspicious to the police.

Employers have an obligation to provide safe working conditions.

c ) have something to do if you have something to do, you must do it:

Mr. Klein couldn't stay he had something to attend to.

I can't stand here talking to you all day I have work to do.

7. ) eat or drink something transitive never passive to eat or drink something. This word is often used in polite offers and requests:

Can I have another piece of that delicious cake?

Let me buy you a drink. What'll you have?

Why don't you stay and have lunch with us?

I'll have (=used for requesting food or drink in a restaurant): I'll have the roast beef, please.

8. ) have or have got used for showing that someone can do something never progressive used in phrases to say that someone is able to do something:

have the ability/power/authority (to do something): It's clear that the country has the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

I'm afraid I don't have the authority to approve the sale.

have permission/a right (to do something): East Germans could not travel to the West unless they had special permission.

Everyone has a right to express their opinion.

have the chance/opportunity (to do something): Some of us never had the chance to go to college.

9. ) have or have got contain or include something transitive never progressive to contain or include parts, members, etc.:

The chorus now has over 100 members.

The museum has two large rooms devoted to natural history.

10. ) have or have got when something is available transitive never progressive

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a ) used for saying that a person, store, hotel, etc. can offer you something to buy or use:

Do you have a double room for June 23?

If you want Madonna's new CD, they've got it at Tower Records.

Do you have room for another person in your car?

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b ) if you have time for something, time is available for you to do it:

have for: I think we've got time for a quick swim before breakfast.

have time to do something: I didn't have time to cook anything.

11. ) have or have got when someone is with you transitive used for saying that someone is visiting you or spending time with you:

We have friends staying with us right now.

have someone with you: I'm afraid the manager's got someone with her at the moment.

have guests/visitors/company: I don't want the children fooling around when I have guests.

12. ) have or have got used for saying what is in your mind transitive never progressive used for saying that there is an idea, a belief, or a feeling in your mind:

I don't have any doubt at all about the success of our policies.

Do you ever have a feeling that you're being watched?

have an idea/plan/suggestion etc.: Does anyone have a better idea?

13. ) make something happen transitive never passive to make something happen:

have an effect/result/influence/impact: Hutton's book had a major impact on public opinion in this country.

Any increase in the rate of inflation could have a serious effect on levels of unemployment.

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a ) have or have got transitive never progressive never passive to make someone have a particular feeling or do something in a particular way:

have someone worried/puzzled/in tears: His sad story almost had us in tears.

You had me worried for a moment I thought you weren't coming.

have someone doing something: We need to have everyone sitting down at the same table.

14. ) arrange for something to be done transitive never passive to arrange for something to be done or for someone to do something:

have something done: The place is looking much better since they had it redecorated.

She wanted to have her portrait painted by a famous artist.

have someone do something: I'll have someone bring your luggage up right away.

15. ) have or have got when something happens near you and affects you transitive never passive used for saying that something happens in an area, group, organization, etc. that affects people there:

They've had snow up in Minnesota already.

have someone doing something: Last year the place was so full we had people sleeping on the floor.

have had enough (of something) (=not want something to happen any longer): People in the neighborhood have had enough of gang violence.

16. ) have or have got used for showing how something is placed or arranged transitive never progressive used for saying that you have put something in a particular position or arranged it in a particular way:

Ralph had his back to the door, so he didn't see me come in.

She's got her hair tied up in a bun today.

He had the book open in front of him.

17. ) have or have got suffer from an illness or injury transitive never progressive to suffer from an illness, disease, injury, or pain:

I've got a terrible headache.

James had malaria while he was working in West Africa.

The X-rays show that he has a broken ankle.

18. ) have or have got receive something transitive never progressive

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a ) to receive a letter, message, or telephone call:

I had a letter from the bank yesterday.

We haven't had any news from home.

You have a phone call do you want to take it in your office?

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b ) to receive help or advice:

She had a lot of help and support from her friends.

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c ) to receive complaints or criticism:

The airline has had thousands of complaints about delays and canceled flights.

19. ) have or have got when something must be true intransitive never progressive have to do something used for showing that you are certain something happens or is true, or for showing that you hope very much that it happens or is true:

Things have to get better they can't get any worse.

He's just got to come, or I'll die!

20. ) have or have got be employed in a job transitive never progressive to be responsible for doing a particular job or the work of an official position:

have a job/position/post etc.: He can't pay the rent because he doesn't have a job.

Foley had a junior position at the World Bank.

21. ) have or have got when there is an arrangement to do something transitive never progressive used for saying that something has been planned or arranged for a particular time:

I have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow afternoon.

Jeff's got classes all day tomorrow.

22. ) have or have got hold someone transitive never progressive to be holding someone by a particular part of their body so that they cannot get away:

have someone by something: I couldn't get away he had me by the arm.

23. ) employ someone transitive never progressive if you have someone who does a particular job, they work for you, usually in a much lower position:

We have a man who comes in and mows the lawn once a week.

24. ) have sex with someone transitive never progressive INFORMAL to have sex with someone:

He thinks he can have any woman he wants.

someone had better/best do something MAINLY SPOKEN

used for saying what someone should do:

You'd better be careful.

We'd best not say anything to my parents.

have been had SPOKEN

to have been tricked or cheated, especially by having to pay too much money for something:

The picture's a fake you've been had.

have (got) something all to yourself

to have a place or time that you do not have to share with anyone else, so that you are free to do what you want in it:

I'll have the house all to myself next week.

have (got) it coming INFORMAL

to deserve something bad that happens to you

have (got) it made INFORMAL

to be in a very good situation

have (got) someone (right/just/exactly) where you want them

to be in a situation in which you can do what you want to someone or defeat them easily

have (got) something ready/done/finished

to have finished work on something so that it is ready

have had it SPOKEN

1. ) if someone has had it, they are in serious trouble, or they are going to fail:

If the boss hears what you've been doing, you've had it.

When they scored that second goal, I knew we'd had it.

2. ) if something has had it, it cannot be used any longer because it is in such bad condition:

I'm afraid my old bike's just about had it.

3. ) to be so annoyed with someone or something that you do not want to be involved with them any longer:

have had it with: He says he's had it with politics.

have had it up to here (=be extremely annoyed): I've had it up to here with Kevin he never stops complaining.

rumor/word/legend has it that

used for showing that you are reporting something that you have heard when you are not sure whether it is really true:

Rumor has it that her husband is not the father of the child.

someone won't have something or someone can't have something or someone isn't having something SPOKEN

used for saying that someone does not allow something:

I'm not having that kind of behavior in my class.

someone won't/can't have someone doing something: We can't have strangers wandering around the place.

you have me there or you've got me there SPOKEN

used for telling someone that you do not know the answer to their question

=> HAVES

,have a`gainst or have ,got a`gainst phrasal verb transitive never progressive

1. ) have something against someone to dislike someone or not approve of them for a particular reason:

I don't know what he's got against me, but he's always criticizing my work.

have nothing against someone/not have anything against someone (=have no reason to dislike someone): We don't have anything against him personally, it's just that we don't trust politicians.

2. ) have something against something to be opposed to a plan or suggestion for a particular reason:

I think it's a great idea. What do you have against it?

have nothing against something/not have anything against something (=not have any reason to be opposed to something): I've got nothing against intelligence tests, as long as they're done properly.

,have a`way phrasal verb

have it away BRITISH INFORMAL

to have sex with someone

,have `in phrasal verb transitive never progressive

1. ) have in or have got in have something in if a store has something in, it is available in the store for you to buy:

We'll have some more guide books in next week.

2. ) have in or have got in have someone in MAINLY BRITISH if you have someone in, they have come to your house, office, factory, etc. to do some work there

3. ) have someone in BRITISH if you have a friend or neighbor in, they come to your house and have a meal or a drink with you

4. ) have in or have got in have something in BRITISH to have a supply of something that you regularly use in your house, for example food, drink, or fuel

,have `in for phrasal verb

have (got) it in for someone INFORMAL

to want to cause trouble for someone because you dislike them:

The police stopped him again last night. He thinks they've got it in for him.

,have `off phrasal verb

have it off (with someone) BRITISH VERY INFORMAL

to have sex with someone

,have `on or have ,got `on phrasal verb transitive never progressive

1. ) have something on to be wearing particular clothes, shoes, etc.:

I couldn't see. I didn't have my glasses on.

Melissa had her new dress on.

have nothing on (=be wearing no clothes): Of course he was cold he had practically nothing on.

2. ) have something on if you have the radio, television, heating, etc. on, you have switched it on and it is working:

I can't talk to him while he has the television on.

We haven't had the air conditioning on all summer.

3. ) have something on someone to have information about someone that shows they have done something dishonest or illegal:

They haven't got anything on Marlowe, so they can't arrest him.

4. ) have something on to have arranged to do something at a particular time, so that you are not available to do anything else:

have on for: Do you have anything on for tomorrow afternoon?

be having someone on BRITISH INFORMAL

to be trying to make someone believe something that is not true, as a joke

,have `out phrasal verb transitive MAINLY BRITISH

have something out to have a tooth removed from your mouth or an organ removed from your body

have it out

to talk to someone honestly and directly about a problem that is causing disagreement, or about something they have done that is making you angry:

have it out with: He decided to have it out with Rose there and then.

,have `over phrasal verb transitive never passive

have someone over if you have someone over, they come to your house to visit you or to stay with you:

We're having the Simpsons over for dinner on Tuesday evening.

,have `round phrasal verb transitive never passive BRITISH

have someone round if you have someone round, especially someone who lives near you, they come to your house

,have `up phrasal verb transitive BRITISH INFORMAL

often passive have someone up to send someone to a court of law because they have been accused of a crime