Page 46 - English Grammar in Use

Unit
17 have and have got

A have and have got (= for possession, relationships, illnesses, appointments etc.)
You can use have or have got. There is no difference in meaning. You can say:
They have a new car. or They’ve got a new car.
Lisa has two brothers. or Lisa has got two brothers.
I have a headache. or I’ve got a headache.
Our house has a small garden. or Our house has got a small garden.
He has a few problems. or He’s got a few problems.
I have a driving lesson tomorrow. or I’ve got a driving lesson tomorrow.
With these meanings (possession etc.), we do not use continuous forms (I’m having etc.):
We’re enjoying our holiday. We have / We’ve got a nice room in the hotel.
(not We’re having a nice room)
For the past we use had (usually without got):
Lisa had long hair when she was a child. (not Lisa had got)

B In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:
Do you have any questions? I don’t have any questions.
or Have you got any questions? or I haven’t got any questions.
or Have you any questions? (less usual) or I haven’t any questions. (less usual)
Does she have a car? She doesn’t have a car.
or Has she got a car? or She hasn’t got a car.
or Has she a car? (less usual) or She hasn’t a car. (less usual)
In past questions and negative sentences, we use did/didn’t:
Did you have a car when you were living in Paris?
I didn’t have my phone, so I couldn’t call you.
Lisa had long hair, didn’t she?

C have breakfast / have a shower / have a good time etc.
We also use have (but not have got) for things we do or experience. For example:
breakfast / dinner / a cup of coffee / something to eat etc.
a bath / a shower / a swim / a break / a rest / a party / a holiday
an accident / an experience / a dream
have a look (at something)
a chat / a discussion / a conversation (with somebody)
trouble / difficulty / fun / a good time etc.
a baby (= give birth to a baby)

Have got is not possible in these expressions. Compare:
Sometimes I have (= eat) a sandwich for my lunch. (not I’ve got)
but I’ve got / I have some sandwiches. Would you like one?
You can use continuous forms (I’m having etc.) with these expressions:
We’re enjoying our holiday. We’re having a great time.
‘Where’s Mark?’ ‘He’s having a shower.’

In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:
I don’t usually have a big breakfast. (not I usually haven’t)
Where does Chris usually have lunch?
Did you have trouble finding somewhere to stay? (not Had you)

34 have (got) to … ➜ Unit 31 American English ➜ Appendix 7