Auxiliary Verb 'have'
In this article we are going to study about the Auxiliary Verb ‘have’.
‘have’ as helping verb and main verb
‘have’ can function as helping verb.
I have been sleeping in the attic. (have – helping verb; sleeping – main verb)
‘have’ can also be used as the main verb in a sentence.
I have a vintage car. (have – working here as main verb, here it means ‘to own’)
Uses of ‘have’
Use Case 1: Negative and Interrogative sentences
Various forms of auxiliary verb ‘have’ are used in the formation of negative and interrogative sentences.
In negatives sentences and questions, have to and had to are used with do, does, did.
They do not have to work.
Do they have to work?
He does not have to work.
Does he have to work?
He did not have to work.
Did he have to work?
Use Case 2: Tenses
Various forms of auxiliary verb ‘have’ help the main verbs in expressing the tense.
Various forms of ‘have’ are used in the formation of the perfect tenses (i.e. perfect tenses and perfect continuous tenses).
He has played state level tennis. (present perfect tense; has – helping verb)
I have been playing state level tennis. (present perfect continuous tense; have – helping verb)
Have vs Have got
Possession
Concept 1
Sometimes we can use either ‘have’ or ‘have got’ when we talk about possession, relationships, and similar meanings.
Use of ‘have’ is often considered more formal.
I have a ring. (correct; have – working as main verb here)
I have got a ring. (correct)
The minister has a lot of support for his plans. (correct)
The minister has got a lot of support for his plans. (correct)
Concept 2
But sometimes we prefer ‘have got’ over ‘have’.
I don’t have anything on this weekend. (correct; sounds fine)
I haven’t got anything on this weekend. (correct; sounds fine)
I haven’t anything on this weekend. (sounds odd)
‘have’ followed by the infinitive
Concept 1
We use ‘have’ (not ‘have got’), in to-infinitive or -ing forms, and after modal verbs.
Do you want to have a cup of coffee? (to have – to-infinitive)
I find having no bike very inconvenient.
They would not have that old villa for much longer. They are looking for a new one. (would – modal verb)
Note that, when ‘have got’ means ‘obtain’ or ‘receive’, we can use it in to-infinitive, -ing forms, or after modal verbs.
Sometimes we can use ‘have’ instead of ‘have got’ with a similar meaning.
I am lucky to have got a place in the board of directors. (correct)
I am lucky to have a place in the board of directors. (correct)
I could have got much more for the article if I had sold it to an international magazine. (correct)
I could have much more for the article if I had sold it to an international magazine. (incorrect)
Concept 2: Uses of ‘have to’
‘have’ is used with the infinitive (‘have to’) to indicate obligation.
She has to complete the assignment herself.
I have to be there by tonight.
The past form, ‘had to’ is used to express obligation in the past.
She had to complete the assignment herself.
I had to be there by tonight.
To talk about past, present and future
Concept 1
When we talk about the future or the past, we use ‘have’ (rather than ‘have got’).
Compare the following set of sentences:
Talking about Present:
I have time to play with my dog. (correct)
I have got time to play with my dog. (correct)
Talking about Future:
I will have time to play with my dog tomorrow. (correct)
I will have got time to play with my dog tomorrow. (incorrect)
Talking about Past:
I had time to play with my dog yesterday. (correct)
I had got time to play with my dog yesterday. (incorrect)
Note that, when ‘have got’ means ‘obtain’ or ‘receive’, we can use it in case of past and future too.
Sometimes we can use ‘have’ instead of ‘have got’ with a similar meaning.
I hope you will have got your parcel by tomorrow. (correct)
I hope you will have your parcel by tomorrow. (correct)
He enquired where I had got my necklace from. (correct)
He enquired where I had my necklace from. (incorrect)
Concept 2
We also say ‘used to have’ (and not ‘used to have got‘). Because ‘used to’ refers to past time.
I used to have got a big house. (incorrect)
I used to have a big house. (correct)
Other differences
We don’t use ‘have got’ in short answers.
‘Have you got any product left?’ - ‘Yes, I have.’
Have vs Take
Concept 1
To describe an action, we can use ‘have + noun’ or ‘take + noun’.
With some nouns we can use ‘have’ but not ‘take’.
The nouns that we commonly use with ‘have’ are:
an argument, a sleep, a chat, a dance, an effect, a fall, a meal, a quarrel, a say (i.e. be involved in deciding something), something to eat, a talk, a wash, a word (i.e. a brief discussion).
Compare:
We argued over marriage arrangements.
We had an argument over marriage arrangements.
Concept 2
With some nouns we can use ‘take’ but not ‘have’.
The nouns that we commonly use with ‘take’ are:
a message, a breath, care, a chance, a decision (or make a decision), a dislike to, a photo(graph), power, responsibility, a risk, the trouble.
He’s not available right now. Would you like me to have a message? (incorrect)
He’s not available right now. Would you like me to take a message? (correct)
You want us to have that chance? (incorrect)
You want us to take that chance? (correct)
Extra Books and Tools
If you prefer to learn via books, or want some good English Grammar books for reference purposes, you may read this article which enlists some of the books recommended by us.