Learn and practise 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)
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?
We also use have (but not have got) for things we do or experience. For example:
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)
