Different from 'to be'. Use have and has to say what you own, what you carry, what is part of your life.
“Yesterday we learned 'to be' (I am, you are, he is). Today we learn 'to have' (I have, he has). These two are the most-used verbs in English. Master both and you are halfway home.”
On the first day of class, I ask every student to open their bag. Why? Because what they have tells me about them.
Sarah has three notebooks, two pens, and one apple. Karim has a laptop and a small bottle of water. Priya has a Bible, a phone, and her grandmother's photo. We do not just have things. The things we have tell our story.
In English, 'I have' is for me. 'He has' is for him. 'She has' is for her. The pattern is the same as the verb 'to be': when the subject is one person (he, she, or it), we change 'have' to 'has'.
I have a brother. (only with 'I')
You have a car. (with 'you')
He has a dog. She has a sister. It has a tail. (with he, she, it, or one thing)
We have a problem. They have time. (with we, they, or many)
Just remember: he/she/it = HAS. Everyone else = HAVE.
To say 'not have', use 'do not have' or 'does not have'.
I do not have a car. (I don't have a car. — short form)
She does not have time. (She doesn't have time.)
To ask a question, start with 'Do' or 'Does'.
Do you have a pen?
Does he have a brother?
Click “Translate” below if you need any word in your own language.
Possess or own something. Use with I, you, we, they.
I have two sisters.
Possess or own. Use with he, she, it, or one thing.
She has a cat.
Negative of 'have'.
I do not have a car.
Negative of 'has'.
He does not have time.
Short form of 'do not'.
I don't have any money.
Short form of 'does not'.
She doesn't have a phone.
Some languages do not use a verb for 'have' the same way (e.g. Russian uses 'at me is' instead of 'I have'). In English, ALWAYS use the verb 'have' or 'has'. 'I a brother' is wrong. 'I have a brother' is right.
Try these on paper or out loud. Mr. Gee's rule: practice today, do not save it for tomorrow.
Have/has follows the same rule as is/are. He, she, it, one thing = HAS. Everyone else = HAVE. For negative: don't have / doesn't have. For questions: Do you / Does she.
Read aloud every day. Even if it sounds funny. Your tongue needs practice.
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