Be, Have and Have Got — English Grammar Exercises
Interactive exercises with instant feedback. Master be for states, have and have got for possession, and have in fixed expressions.
Be, Have and Have Got: Quick Reference
Be — states, qualities, identity
- People and things: This is my colleague. She's very talented.
- Current states: It's cold outside. I'm tired.
- Jobs and roles: He's a software engineer. We're students.
- Location and time: The office is near the station. It's half past nine.
Have and Have Got — possession
- Both work for possession, relationships, features, illness: I have / I've got two sisters.
- Have got is present tense only: When I was young I had a dog (NOT had got).
Have — activities (NOT have got)
- Food: have lunch, have a coffee
- Hygiene: have a shower, have a bath
- Experiences: have fun, have a good time
- Events: have a party, have a meeting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'have' and 'have got'?
Both 'have' and 'have got' can describe possession, relationships, features, and illness: 'I have two brothers' = 'I've got two brothers'. However, 'have got' is only used in the present tense. For past and future, use 'had' and 'will have' — never 'had got' or 'will have got'.
When do you use 'have' but NOT 'have got'?
Use 'have' (not 'have got') for activities and experiences: have a shower, have lunch, have fun, have a party, have a walk, have a conversation. These expressions describe actions, not possession, so 'have got' doesn't work.
How do I choose between 'be' and 'have'?
Use 'be' with adjectives: I'm hungry, She's tall, It's cold. Use 'have' with nouns: I have a headache, She has long hair. A common mistake is 'I have hungry' — the correct form is 'I am hungry'.