Present simple: 'have got'

Do you know how to use have and have got? Enhance your knowledge with the lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Check out these examples to see how we use have/has got:

• I’ve got a lot of friends.

• We haven’t got a car.

• Have you got any siblings?

Grammar explanation - Present simple: ‘have got’

We use I/you/we/they + have got or he/she/it + has got to talk about things we possess.

In many cases, have and have got mean the same thing. Have got is a bit less formal than have and is often used in conversation, while have is more common in writing.

• They have got a new apartment. = They have a new apartment.

• She has got a great job. = She has a great job.

We use have/has got to talk about appearance, family, friends, or possessions. We often contract the verb, especially when speaking.

• I have got blue eyes. = I've got blue eyes.

• My brother has got curly hair. = My brother's got curly hair.

• He has not got any close friends. = He hasn't got any close friends.

• They have got a new computer. = They've got a new computer.

We can also use have/has got for scheduled events, illnesses, or abstract things.

• They've got piano lessons tonight.

• He's got the flu.

• I've got a brilliant idea!

1. Negative

For negatives, use not after have/has. We often contract the negative form.

We have not got any pets. = We haven't got any pets.

She has not got a sister. = She hasn't got a sister.

2. Questions

To ask questions, use have/has + subject + got.

• Have you got a bicycle?

• How many bedrooms has it got?

3. Short answers

For yes/no questions, we can use short answers.

• Have you got a new phone? No, I haven't.

• Has he got an appointment? Yes, he has.

Have/has got is only used in the present tense. For the past, use had without got.

I had a cat when I was younger. (Not I had got a cat when I was younger.)

Try another grammar lesson