Unit 17. Have got and have.
Unit 17; Part A

You can use have got or have (without got). There is no difference in meaning:
• They've got a new car. or They have a new car.
• Lisa's got two brothers. or Lisa has two brothers.
• I've got a headache. or I have a headache.
• Our house has got a small garden. or Our house has a small garden.
• He's got a few problems. or He has a few problems.
With these meanings (possession etc.), you cannot use continuous forms (am having etc.):
• We're enjoying our holiday. We've got / We have a nice room in the hotel. (not We're having)
For the past we use had (without got):
• Lisa had long hair when she was a child. (not Lisa had got)
Unit 17; Part B

Have you got any questions? Do you have any questions? Have you any questions? (less usual) Has she got a car? Does she have a car? Has she a car? (less usual) | I haven't got any questions. I don't have any questions. I haven't any questions, (less usual) She hasn't got a car. She doesn't have a car. 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 London?
• I didn't have a watch, so I didn't know the time.
• Lisa had long hair, didn't she?
Unit 17; Part C

We also use have (but not have got) for many actions and experiences. For example:
have | 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 a look (at something) a chat / a conversation / a discussion (with somebody) difficulty / trouble / fun / a good time etc. a baby (= give birth to a baby) |
Have got is not possible in the expressions in the box. 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 (am having etc.) with the expressions in the box:
• We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time. (not We have)
• Mike is having a shower at the moment. He has a shower every day.
In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:
• I don't usually have a big breakfast. (not I usually haven't)
• What time does Jenny have lunch? (not has Jenny lunch)
• Did you have difficulty finding a place to live?
Exercises
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