English Dictionary
Definition have in British English
have
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
verb
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
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 question tags 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: Alan’s got a new bike. Questions and negatives can be formed by using have got, have alone, or do: Have you got any money?Have you any money?Do you have any money?We haven’t got any money.We haven’t any money.We don’t have any money. Question tags are formed with have when the main verb is have got: They’ve got a lovely garden, haven’t they?
as a transitive verb used for talking about actions and experiences: Let’s have a swim before lunch.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 question tags 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 question tags 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: You’ve got to show your passport. Questions can be formed using do, have got, or have alone: Do we have to pay now?Have we got to pay now?Have we to pay now? Negative sentences are usually formed with do or have got: You don’t have to pay yet.You haven’t got to pay yet. Question tags are usually formed with do: We have to take a test, don’t we?
In conversation or informal writing the auxiliary use of have is often shortened. Have can be shortened to ’ve, has to ’s, and had to ’d: They’ve already left.John’s lost his ticket.I’d forgotten to tell you. These short forms can be followed by ‘not’ to make negative sentences: I’ve not seen anyone.She’d not arrived.
The ordinary transitive uses of have are not usually shortened, though ’ve and ’d forms are sometimes possible: I’ve a sister who lives in York.
Short forms are usually used before ‘got’: I’ve got an idea.Jack’s got the tickets.
Negative forms can also be shortened: have not can be shortened to haven’t, has not can be shortened to hasn’t, and had not can be shortened to hadn’t.
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
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
I've been looking for you everywhere.
'Has Jerry done his homework?' 'No, he hasn't.'
Young Benson's done very well, hasn't he?
Unfortunately, she hadn't got enough common sense to call the doctor.
to own something
to own something
If you had a computer, I could send the directions to you by email.
to do something
to do something
used for saying that something happens to you or you experience something
used for stating the relationship between someone and their family members
used for stating the relationship between someone and their family members
if you have to do something, you must do it because it is necessary
if you have to do something, you must do it because it is necessary
There will have to be an official investigation into the accident.
You don't have to come if you don't want to.
East Germans could not travel to the West unless they had special permission.
Some of us never had the chance to go to university.
Any increase in the rate of inflation could have a serious effect on levels of unemployment.
to make someone have a particular feeling or do something in a particular way
to arrange for something to be done or for someone to do something
The place is looking much better since they had it redecorated.
used for saying that something happens in an area, group, organization etc that affects people there
They've had snow up in Scotland.
Take lots of snacks or you'll have the kids complaining.
used for saying that you have put something in a particular position or have arranged it in a particular way
Ralph had his back to the door, so he didn't see me come in.
used for showing that you are certain that something happens or is true, or for showing that you hope very much that it happens or is true
to be responsible for doing a particular job or the work of an official position
used for saying that something has been planned or arranged for a particular time
I've got an appointment with the dentist tomorrow afternoon.
to be holding someone by a particular part of their body so that they cannot get away
to have sex with someone
Related Words
Words related to have: