Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense has ( WEAK həz, STRONG hæz), present participle having, past tense, past participle had ( WEAK həd, STRONG hæd)In spoken English, forms of have are often shortened, for example I have is shortened to I've and has not is shortened to hasn't.
1. auxiliary verb
You use the forms have and has with a past participle to form the present perfect tense of verbs.
Alex has already gone. [AUXILIARY -ed]
I've just seen a play that I can highly recommend. [AUXILIARY -ed]
My term hasn't finished yet. [AUXILIARY -ed]
What have you found so far? [AUXILIARY -ed]
This is something which you might have forgotten. [AUXILIARY -ed]
Frankie hasn't been feeling well for a long time.
2. auxiliary verb
You use the form had with a past participle to form the past perfect tense of verbs.
When I met her, she had just returned from a job interview. [AUXILIARY -ed]
By Friday at 5:30 p.m., I still hadn't heard from Lund. [AUXILIARY -ed]
Miss Windham said she had spoken to them over the weekend. [AUXILIARY -ed]
3. auxiliary verb
Have is used in question tags.
You haven't sent her away, have you? [AUX n]
It's happened, hasn't it? [cl AUX n, AUX n]
They hadn't invented sequencers back in those days, had they? [cl AUX n]
4. auxiliary verb
You use have when you are confirming or contradicting a statement containing 'have', 'has', or 'had', or answering a question.
'Have you been to York before?'—'Yes we have.'
5. auxiliary verb
The form having with a past participle can be used to introduce a clause in which you mention an action which had already happened before another action began.
He arrived in San Francisco, having left New Jersey on January 19th. [AUXILIARY -ed]
Having been told by his doctor that he was overweight, he's eating all the fibreand fruit he can. [AUXILIARY -ed]
More Synonyms of have
English Easy Learning GrammarHaveThe verb have is used as an auxiliary verb She has run a lovely, deep, bubble bath. Katie had read about the concert in the newspaper. and also as a main ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarActive and passiveActive sentences In the following example, the verb is active. The postman delivers hundreds of letters every day. The subject of an active sentence is ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarAspectWhen we use a verb, we often need to be able to refer to more than the time at whichan event took place. We sometimes need to be able to refer to actions ... Read more
have used with nouns describing actions
(hæv)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense has ( WEAK həz, STRONG hæz), present participle having, past tense, past participle had ( WEAK həd, STRONG hæd)Have is used in combination with a wide range of nouns, where the meaning of the combinationis mostly given by the noun.
1. verb [no passive]
You can use have followed by a noun to talk about an action or event, when it would be possible to use the same word as a verb. For example, you can say 'I had a look at the photos' instead of 'I looked at the photos.'
I went out and had a walk around. [VERB noun]
She rested for a while, then had a wash and changed her clothes. [VERB noun]
I'll have a think about that. [VERB noun]
Sit down and have a good cry. [VERB noun]
They were having a long wait for someone to serve them. [VERB noun]
2. verb [no passive]
In normal spoken or written English, people use have with a wide range of nouns to talk about actions and events, often instead of a more specificverb. For example people are more likely to say 'we had ice cream' or 'she's had a shock' than 'we ate ice cream', or 'he's suffered a shock'.
Come and have a meal with us tonight. [VERB noun]
We will be having a meeting to decide what to do. [VERB noun]
She had an operation on her knee at the clinic. [VERB noun]
His visit had a great effect on them. [VERB noun]
have other verb uses and phrases
(hæv)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense has ( WEAK həz, STRONG hæz), present participle having, past tense, past participle had ( WEAK həd, STRONG hæd)For meanings [sense 1] to , [sense 4], people often use have got in spoken British English or have gotten in spoken American English, instead of have. In this case, have is pronounced as an auxiliary verb. For more information and examples of the useof 'have got' and 'have gotten', see got.
1. verb [no passive]
You use have to say that someone or something owns a particular thing, or when you are mentioningone of their qualities or characteristics.
Oscar had a new bicycle. [VERB noun]
I want to have my own business. [VERB noun]
She had no job and no money. [VERB noun]
You have beautiful eyes. [VERB noun]
Her house had a balcony. [VERB noun]
Do you have any brothers and sisters? [VERB noun]
I have a good friend who's a teacher. [VERB noun]
I have no doubt at all in my own mind about this. [VERB noun]
I just had a feeling that it was Santero on the telephone. [VERB noun]
Have you any valuables anywhere else in the house? [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
I have my microphone with me. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
Synonyms: own, keep, possess, hold More Synonyms of have
2. verb [no passive]
If you have something to do, you are responsible for doing it or must do it.
He had plenty of work to do. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
I have some important calls to make. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
3. verb [no passive]
You can use have instead of 'there is' to say that something exists or happens. For example, you cansay 'you have no alternative' instead of 'there is no alternative', or 'he had a good view from his window' instead of 'there was a good view from his window'.
He had two tenants living with him. [VERB noun]
We haven't any shops on the island. [VERB noun]
First we had clock-radios, now there's the clock-radio-telephone. [VERB noun]
You have a lot of people that are very upset with what happened. [VERB noun]
4. verb [no passive]
If you have something such as a part of your body in a particular position or state, it is inthat position or state.
Mary had her eyes closed. [V n adj/adv/prep]
They had the curtains open. [V n adj/adv/prep]
He had his shirt buttoned. [V n adj/adv/prep]
As I was working, I had the radio on. [V n adj/adv/prep]
He had his hand on Maria's shoulder. [V n adj/adv/prep]
5. verb [no passive]
If you have something done, someone does it for you or you arrange for it to be done.
I had your rooms cleaned and aired. [VERB noun -ed]
They had him killed. [VERB noun -ed]
You've had your hair cut, it looks great. [VERB noun -ed]
I don't think most nine-year-olds have their teeth brushed. [VERB noun -ed]
6. verb [no passive]
If someone has something unpleasant happen to them, it happens to them.
We had our money stolen. [VERB noun -ed]
The dance hall once even had its roof blown off in World War II. [VERB noun -ed]
7. verb [no passive]
If you have someone do something, you persuade, cause, or order them to do it.
If you happen to talk to him, have him call me. [VERB noun infinitive]
The bridge is not as impressive as some guides would have you believe. [VERB noun infinitive]
Mr Gower had had us all working so hard. [VERB noun verb-ing]
8. verb [no passive]
If someone has you by a part of your body, they are holding you there and they are trying to hurt you or force you to go somewhere.
When the police came, Larry had him by the ear and was beating his head against thepavement. [V n + by]
9. verb [no passive]
If you have something from someone, they give it to you.
You can have my ticket. [VERB noun]
Can I have your name please? [VERB noun]
We have had some help from the Government. [VERB noun]
I had comments from people in all age groups. [VERB noun]
10. verb [no passive]
If you have an illness or disability, you suffer from it.
I had a headache. [VERB noun]
He might be having a heart attack. [VERB noun]
She has epilepsy. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: suffer, experience, undergo, sustain More Synonyms of have
11. verb [no passive]
If a woman has a baby, she gives birth to it. If she is having a baby, she is pregnant.
My wife has just had a baby boy. [VERB noun]
She's having another baby. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: give birth to, bear, deliver, bring forth More Synonyms of have
12. verb [with neg]
You can use have in expressions such as 'I won't have it' or 'I'm not having that', to mean that you will not allow or put up with something.
She wanted to be alone. They wouldn't have it. [VERB noun]
I'm not having any of that nonsense. [VERB noun]
I will not have the likes of you dragging down my reputation. [VERB noun verb-ing]
Synonyms: put up with [informal], allow, permit, consider More Synonyms of have
13.
See rumour/legend/tradition etc has it
14.
See to have it in for sb
15.
See to have it in you
16.
See to have it off/away
17.
See be having sb on
18.
See to have it out
19. to be had
20. to have had it
have modal phrases
(hæv, hæf)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense has ( WEAK həz, STRONG hæz), present participle having, past tense, past participle had ( WEAK həd, STRONG hæd)
1.
See have to do
2.
See have to do
have in British English
(hæv)
verbWord forms: has, having or had(mainly tr)
1.
to be in material possession of; own
he has two cars
2.
to possess as a characteristic quality or attribute
he has dark hair
3.
to receive, take, or obtain
she had a present from him
have a look
4.
to hold or entertain in the mind
to have an idea
5.
to possess a knowledge or understanding of
I have no German
6.
to experience or undergo
to have a shock
7.
to be infected with or suffer from
to have a cold
8.
to gain control of or advantage over
you have me on that point
9. (usually passive) slang
to cheat or outwit
he was had by that dishonest salesman
10. (foll by on)
to exhibit (mercy, compassion, etc, towards)
have mercy on us, Lord
11.
to engage or take part in
to have a conversation
12.
to arrange, carry out, or hold
to have a party
13.
to cause, compel, or require to (be, do, or be done)
have my shoes mended
14. (takes an infinitive with to)
used as an auxiliary to express compulsion or necessity
I had to run quickly to escape him
15.
to eat, drink, or partake of
to have a good meal
16. vulgar, slang
to have sexual intercourse with
he had her on the sofa
17. (used with a negative)
to tolerate or allow
I won't have all this noise
18.
to declare, state, or assert
rumour has it that they will marry
19.
to put or place
I'll have the sofa in this room
20.
to receive as a guest
to have three people to stay
21.
to beget or bear (offspring)
she had three children
22. (takes a past participle)
used as an auxiliary to form compound tenses expressing completed action
I have gone
I shall have gone
I would have gone
I had gone
23. had better
24. had rather
25. have done
26. have had it
27. have it
28. have it away
29. have it coming
30. have it in for
31. have it so good
32. have to do with
33. I have it
34. let someone have it
35. not having any
noun
36. (usually plural)
a person or group of people in possession of wealth, security, etc
the haves and the have-nots
Word origin
Old English habban; related to Old Norse hafa, Old Saxon hebbian, Old High German habēn, Latin habēre
have in American English
(hæv; also, as before `to' hæf)
verb transitiveWord forms: had (hæd; unstressed, həd; əd) or ˈhaving
1.
to hold in the hand or in control; own; possess
to have wealth
2.
to possess or contain as a part, characteristic, attribute, etc.
she has blue eyes; the week has seven days
3.
to be affected by or afflicted with
to have a cold
4.
to possess by way of experience; experience; undergo
have a good time
5.
to possess an understanding of; know
to have only a little Spanish
6.
to hold or keep in the mind
to have an idea
7.
to declare or state
so gossip has it
8.
to gain possession, control, or mastery of
9.
a.
to get, take, receive, or obtain
to have news of someone, have a look at it
b.
to consume; eat or drink
have some tea
10.
to bear or beget (offspring)
11.
to perform; carry on; engage in
to have an argument
12.
a.
to cause to
have them walk home
b.
to cause to be
have this done first
13.
to be in a certain relation to
to have brothers and sisters
14.
to feel and show
have pity on her
15.
to permit; tolerate
used in the negative
I won't have this nonsense
16. Informal
a.
to hold at a disadvantage or to overcome
I had my opponent now
b.
to deceive; take in; cheat
they were had in that business deal
c.
to engage in sexual intercourse with
noun
17.
a person or nation with relatively much wealth or rich resources
the haves and have-nots
Idioms:
have at
have done
have had it
have it good
have it off
have it out
have on
have to be
have to do with
to have and to hold
Word origin
ME haven (earlier habben) < OE habban, akin to OHG haben, ON hafa, Goth haban < IE base *kap-, to grasp > Gr kaptein, to gulp down, L capere, to take: primary sense, “to hold, have in hand”
Examples of 'have' in a sentence
have
Two other suspects have also been charged.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
One person said something had gone wrong with the air conditioning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just work on having a good profile.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some people have mild symptoms and recover.
The Sun (2016)
They may not have dug too deep into their pockets.
The Sun (2016)
She is also an active humanitarian campaigner and has strong views about the role of women.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This encourages people to save more for the future by investing money they have not got used to spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We've had some very good chances.
The Sun (2017)
We also had significant interest from elsewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His new wife had to get used to this.
Christianity Today (2000)
West has no good three cards to keep.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You may have a group of friends who share your interests.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
We want to have more than just to be the pretty woman who sits there.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Why should working people have to pay twice for services?
The Sun (2014)
They may have had some traumatic experiences of being hurt by mismanaged anger.
Lindenfield, Gael 50 Ways to Become a Self-Confident Woman (1989)
We talk about having more women in politics.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The past week has offered a couple of insights.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The return of the snow has not so far made much difference to birds.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They crave to see in person what they have seen only on the tube.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was a moment that had traders scratching their heads and wondering if they had missed something.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Thirteen of the properties have sold already.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They would also have to pay management fees based on their original commitments.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Our group had just trekked for three hours in driving rain.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We just have to have better control of the football.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We have dishonest people in our club and they will be smoked out.
The Sun (2016)
It is concerned that staff may have been incentivised to sell unsuitable policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So far only about a quarter has been leaked.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Much of the anger she felt in the past has since subsided.
The Sun (2013)
He had to email and call people pretending to be from hotels they had used asking for payment.
The Sun (2014)
New Anglo-Saxon chronicles have been in vogue this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He went on: 'I have had a few marriage proposals.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
have
British English: have /hæv/ VERB
denoting present perfect tense You use have and has with another verb to form the present perfect.
Alex hasn't left yet.
American English: have
Arabic: يَمْلِك
Brazilian Portuguese: Forma verbal
Chinese: 有
Croatian: imati
Czech: mít
Danish: er
Dutch: hebben
European Spanish: tener
Finnish: olla jollakulla
French: avoir
German: haben
Greek: έχω
Italian: avere
Japanese: 持っている
Korean: (완료형)
Norwegian: ha
Polish: mieć
European Portuguese: ter
Romanian: a avea
Russian: иметь
Latin American Spanish: tener
Swedish: ha
Thai: ได้
Turkish: sahip olmak
Ukrainian: допоміжне дієслово, вживається для утворення форм теперішнього доконаного часу
Vietnamese: có sở hữu
British English: have /hæv/ VERB
experience When you have something, you feel it, or it happens to you.
I have a bad cold.
American English: have
Arabic: أُصِيبَ بِ
Brazilian Portuguese: ter
Chinese: 得病
Croatian: imati
Czech: mít
Danish: have
Dutch: hebben
European Spanish: tener
Finnish: olla
French: ressentir
German: schlimm
Greek: έχω
Italian: avere
Japanese: （病気などに）かかっている
Korean: ~을 겪다
Norwegian: ha
Polish: mieć
European Portuguese: ter
Romanian: a avea
Russian: иметь
Latin American Spanish: tenerpadecer
Swedish: ha
Thai: รู้สึก เป็นโรค
Turkish: sahip olmak
Ukrainian: мати
Vietnamese: cảm giác
All related terms of 'have'
have at
to make an opening attack on, esp in fencing
have in
to ask (a person) to give a service
have it
to win a victory
have on
to wear
have up
to cause to appear for trial
have done
to be completely finished
have got
to possess
have legs
If an idea , plan , or activity has legs , it is likely to continue or succeed.
have-not
a person or group of people in possession of relatively little material wealth
have-nots
people who are very poor
have out
to settle (a matter) or come to (a final decision ), esp by fighting or by frank discussion (often in the phrase have it out )
have sex
If two people have sex , they perform the act of sex.
must-have
A must-have is something modern that many people want to have.
have-a-go
(of people attempting arduous or dangerous tasks) brave or spirited
have gotten
to have obtained
have issues
If someone has issues with a particular aspect of their life, they have problems connected with it.
I have it
I know the answer
have a cow
to become very upset or angry
have a few
to consume several ( or too many) alcoholic drinks
have a fit
If you say that someone will have a fit when they hear about something, you mean that they will be very angry or shocked .
have company
If you have company , you have a visitor or friend with you.
have kittens
to be extremely worried or upset by something
have occasion
If you have occasion to do something, it is necessary for you to do it.
have to be
to be unquestionably or without doubt
have to do
You use have to when you are saying that something is necessary or required, or must happen . If you do not have to do something, it is not necessary or required.
have a ball
If you are having a ball , you are having a very enjoyable time.
have a bash
to make an attempt
have a care
to be careful
have a (good
to feel (strongly) inclined to
have a heart!
be kind or merciful
have a lash
to make an attempt at or take part in (something)
have a life
If you say that you have a life , you mean that you have interests and activities, particularly outside your work, which make your life enjoyable and worthwhile .
have a moan
If you have a moan , you complain about something.
have a nerve
If you say that someone has a nerve or has the nerve to do something, you are criticizing them for doing something which you feel they had no right to do.
have got sth
You use have got to say that someone has a particular thing, or to mention a quality or characteristic that someone or something has. In informal American English , people sometimes just use 'got'.
have had it
to be exhausted , defeated, or killed
have in mind
to remember
have it away
to have sexual intercourse
have it good
to be in comfortable circumstances
have it off
to have sexual intercourse
have it out
to settle an issue, disagreement , etc. by fighting or discussion
have need to
to be compelled or required to; must
have none of
If you say that someone will have none of something, or is having none of something, you mean that they refuse to accept it.
have pity on
to have sympathy or show mercy for
only have to
If you say you only have to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved.
have a go at
to try ; attempt
have a record
to be a known criminal ; have a previous conviction or convictions
have a stomack
to be pregnant
have bought it
to be killed
have eyes for
to be interested in
Chinese translation of 'have'
have
(hæv)
Word forms:ptpphad
vt
(= possess) 有 (yǒu)
he has or he has got blue eyes/dark hair他长(長)着(著)蓝(藍)眼睛/黑头(頭)发(髮) (tā zhǎngzhe lán yǎnjing/hēi tóufa)
do you have or have you got a car/phone?你有车(車)/电(電)话(話)吗(嗎)? (nǐ yǒu chē/diànhuà ma?)
I have or I have got an idea我有个(個)主意 (wǒ yǒu gè zhǔyi)
to have or have got sth to do有必须(須)得做的事 (yǒu bìxū děi zuò de shì)
she had her eyes closed她闭(閉)上了眼睛 (tā bìshàng le yǎnjing)
(with meals, drinks)
to have breakfast吃早饭(飯) (chī zǎofàn)
to have a drink/a cigarette喝一杯/抽支烟(煙) (hē yī bēi/chōu zhī yān)
(with activity)
to have a swim/bath游泳/洗澡 (yóuyǒng/xǐzǎo)
to have a meeting/party开(開)会(會)/开(開)派对(對) (kāihuì/kāi pàiduì)
(= receive, obtain) 得到 (dédào)
can I have a packet of sugar, please?请(請)给(給)我一包糖，好吗(嗎)？ (Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bāo táng, hǎo ma?)
can I have your address?能告诉(訴)我你的地址吗(嗎)？ (néng gàosù wǒ nǐ de dìzhǐ ma?)
you can have it for £5付5英镑它就是你的了 (fù wǔ yīngbàng tā jiùshì nǐ de le)
I must have it by tomorrow明天以前我必须(須)得到它 (míngtiān yǐqián wǒ bìxū dédào tā)
(= give birth to)
to have a baby生孩子 (shēng háizi)
(= allow) 容忍 (róngrěn)
I won't have it!我绝(絕)不允许(許)！ (wǒ jué bù yǔnxǔ!)
we can't have that我们(們)绝(絕)不允许(許)那样(樣) (wǒmen jué bù yǔnxǔ nàyàng)
to have sth done指使/安排做某事 (zhǐshǐ/ānpái zuò mǒushì)
to have one's hair cut理发(髮) (lǐfà)
(= experience, suffer)
to have a headache头(頭)痛 (tóutòng)
to have a cold/flu/diabetes得感冒/流感/糖尿病 (dé gǎnmào/liúgǎn/tángniàobìng)
to have a heart attack心脏(臟)病发(發)作 (xīnzàngbìng fāzuò)
to have an operation动(動)手术(術) (dòng shǒushù)
she had her bag stolen/her arm broken她的包被偷了/她的胳膊断(斷)了 (tā de bāo bèi tōu le/tā de gēbo duàn le)
(inf, = dupe)
to be had被骗(騙) (bèipiàn)
you've been had!你被骗(騙)了！ (nǐ bèi piàn le!)
(inf)
to have had it (= be in trouble) 没(沒)希望了 (méi xīwàng le)
aux vb
to have arrived/gone已到了/走了 (yǐ dàole/zǒule)
has he told you?他已经(經)告诉(訴)你了吗(嗎)？ (tā yǐjīng gàosù nǐ le ma?)
when she had dressed, she went downstairs穿好衣服后(後)，她下了楼(樓) (chuānhǎo yīfu hòu, tā xiàle lóu)
having lived abroad for years, I wasn't familiar with ... 已在国(國)外呆(獃)了多年，我都对(對) ... 不熟悉了 (yǐ zài guówài dāile duōnián, wǒ dōu duì ... bù shúxī le)
I haven't seen him for ages/since July我已经(經)很久/自7月以来(來)就没(沒)见(見)过(過)他了 (wǒ yǐjīng hěn jiǔ/zì qīyuè yǐlái jiù méi jiànguo tā le)