have got

1. form and basic uses

Have got is often used in conversation and in less formal writing with the same meaning as have.

I have got three children.

You have got a problem.

Have got, has got, and had got are not usually pronounced in full. When you write down what someone says, you usually write 've got, 's got, or 'd got.

I've got her address.

He's got a beard now.

They'd got a special grant from the Institute.

Have got is not used in formal written English, and is less common in American English than British English. The -ed participle for all the meanings below is got (not gotten) in both British and American English.

You cannot use have got for all meanings of have. You use it when you are talking about a situation or state, but not when you are talking about an event or action. For example, you say 'I've got a new car', but not 'I've got a bath every morning'.

Have got is usually used in the present tense. You don't usually use have got in future or past forms. Instead, you use have.

Will you have time to eat before you go?

I had a cold and couldn't decide whether to go to work.

2. possession

Have got is most commonly used to talk about possession, relationships, and qualities or features.

I've got a very small house.

She's got two sisters.

He's got a lovely smile.

It's a nice town. It's got a beautiful cathedral.

3. illness

You often use have got to talk about illnesses.

Sam's got measles.

I've got an awful headache.

4. availability

You also use have got to talk about the availability of something.

Come in and have a chat when you've got time.

I think we've got an enormous amount to offer.

5. future events

You can use have got with a noun phrase to mention a future event that you will be involved in.

I've got a date.

I've got an appointment at the dentist's.

You can use have got with a noun phrase and an -ing form to mention an event that you have arranged or that will affect you.

I've got two directors flying out first class.

I've got some more people coming.

You use have got with a noun phrase and a to-infinitive to say that there is some work that you must do.

I've got some work to do.

She's got the house to clean.

6. negatives

In negative sentences, not goes between have and got, and is almost always shortened to n't.

He hasn't got a moustache.

I haven't got much money.

American speakers do not always use this form. Often they use the auxiliary verb do, followed by not and have. Not is usually shortened to n't.

I don't have a boyfriend.

I'm bored. I don't have anything to do.

7. questions

In questions, you put the subject between have and got.

Have you got enough money for a taxi?

I'd like a drink. What have you got?

American speakers do not always use this form. Instead they use the auxiliary verb do, followed by the subject and have. Some British speakers also use do and have.

Do you have her address?

What kind of cakes do you have?

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Verb

have got - have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense; "She has $1,000 in the bank"; "He has got two beautiful daughters"; "She holds a Master's degree from Harvard"

have, hold

maintain, sustain, keep - supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep"

keep, hold on - retain possession of; "Can I keep my old stuffed animals?"; "She kept her maiden name after she married"

keep - look after; be the keeper of; have charge of; "He keeps the shop when I am gone"

maintain, keep - maintain for use and service; "I keep a car in the countryside"; "She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips"

keep - have as a supply; "I always keep batteries in the freezer"; "keep food for a week in the pantry"; "She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator"

monopolise, monopolize - have or exploit a monopoly of; "OPEC wants to monopolize oil"

wield, exert, maintain - have and exercise; "wield power and authority"

stock, stockpile, carry - have on hand; "Do you carry kerosene heaters?"

hold, bear - have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices; "She bears the title of Duchess"; "He held the governorship for almost a decade"

feature, have - have as a feature; "This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France"

carry - have or possess something abstract; "I carry her image in my mind's eye"; "I will carry the secret to my grave"; "I carry these thoughts in the back of my head"; "I carry a lot of life insurance"

Translations

haben

avoir