Verb Have Got (Expressing Possession) – 23 Common Grammar Topics in the Cambridge Starters Exam
The verb “have got” is used to express possession in the present tense, especially in informal British English. It means the same as “have.” For example, “I have got a dog” means “I have a dog.” The structure of “have got” uses “have” or “has” for affirmative sentences, such as “He has got a car.” For questions, the structure is inverted: “Have you got a book?” In negative sentences, we use “haven’t” or “hasn’t,” like “They haven’t got any money.” Remember, “have got” is only used in the present tense.
1. Structure:
(+) Positive: Subject + have/has got + object
Examples:
📱 I have got a new phone! I just bought it yesterday, and it’s fantastic!
💡 I have got a great idea for the project! Let me share it with you.
👨👩👧👦 I have got three siblings. We often spend holidays together.
📅 We have got a meeting at 3 PM. Our team needs to prepare for the presentation.
🎟️ We have got tickets to the concert! We’re excited to go this weekend.
📚 We have got a lot of work to finish by tomorrow. Let’s start now.
👕 You have got something on your shirt. It’s a small stain, you might want to clean it.
🕒 You have got an important meeting this afternoon. Don’t forget to prepare!
⚡ You have got a lot of energy today! It’s nice to see you so active.
🏖️ They have got a beautiful house near the beach. It’s perfect for summer vacations!
🚗 They have got two cars in their garage. They use one for work and the other for family trips.
👶 They have got a baby boy. He’s just a few months old!
🐶 He has got a friendly dog. Every morning, he walks his dog in the park.
🎸 He has got a guitar. He loves to play it in his free time.
🩺 He has got an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. He needs to be there by 10 AM.
🎨 She has got amazing artistic talent. Her paintings are stunning!
🗓️ She has got a busy schedule this week. Her calendar is fully booked.
😊 She has got a beautiful smile. It brightens up the room!
🧸 It has got a soft texture. Referring to a plush toy that feels really cozy.
🚗 It has got four wheels. Talking about a toy car.
📱 It has got a crack on the screen. Referring to a phone with a damaged display.
(-) Negative: Subject + haven’t/hasn’t got + object
Examples:
📱 I haven’t got a charger with me. When I’m out and realize I forgot it.
📝 I haven’t got the report finished yet. When my boss asks about the progress of my work.)
🎒 I haven’t got my backpack for school. When I’m getting ready for school but can’t find my bag.
🎫 We haven’t got tickets for the movie. When my friends and I arrive at the cinema without buying tickets.
🍕 We haven’t got any pizza left. At a party when we’ve run out of pizza.
🛏️ We haven’t got a place to stay tonight. When we’re traveling and haven’t booked a hotel.
📚 You haven’t got your textbook, have you? When a teacher asks a student about bringing their textbook to class.
🕶️ You haven’t got your sunglasses, have you? When we’re outside and you’ve forgotten your sunglasses.
🧳 You haven’t got your luggage, have you? When you’ve just landed and your suitcase hasn’t arrived.
🚗 They haven’t got a car to drive. When my friends need a ride but don’t have a car.
💻 They haven’t got the new software installed. When checking if the IT team has installed the new software.
🎒 They haven’t got their school bags. When students arrive at school without their backpacks.
📧 He hasn’t got my email yet. When I’m checking if he received my email.
🚴 He hasn’t got a bike to ride today. When we’re planning to bike together but he doesn’t have his bike.
🧸 He hasn’t got his favorite toy. When playing with a child who doesn’t have their favorite toy.
📝 She hasn’t got the list for shopping. When we’re about to go shopping, but she forgot the list.
🚪 She hasn’t got the key to open the door. When we’re trying to enter the house, but she forgot the key.
🎤 She hasn’t got a microphone for her performance. When preparing for a performance, but she doesn’t have a microphone.
🚰 It hasn’t got enough water. When I notice the plant’s pot is dry and needs more water.
🌡️ It hasn’t got the right temperature. When the air conditioner isn’t set to the right temperature yet.
⚙️ It hasn’t got all the parts to work. When assembling something and missing an important part.
(?) Questions: Have/Has + subject + got + object?
Examples:
🌍 Have I got the right address for the party tonight? I don’t want to get lost!
🕒 Have I got the time to catch the last bus? It’s almost midnight!
💼 Have I got my wallet with me? I might have left it at home.
⏳ Have we got enough time to finish the project before the deadline? Let’s hurry!
🎟️ Have we got the tickets for the movie? It’s starting soon.
🪑 Have we got enough chairs for all the guests? The event is fully booked!
💡 Have you got any ideas for the presentation tomorrow? It’s important to impress the client!
🗺️ Have you got the directions to the restaurant? I’m not familiar with the area.
🍔 Have you got enough food for the picnic? We don’t want to run out!
🎫 Have they got tickets for the concert yet? It’s going to be sold out soon!
🗓️ Have they got any plans for the weekend? Maybe we can join them.
🔑 Have they got the keys to the office? We need to lock up before leaving.
💡 Has he got a solution for the problem we discussed in the meeting? We need it urgently.
🛂 Has he got his passport for the trip? The flight leaves tomorrow.
🖊️ Has he got a spare pen? Mine just ran out of ink.
💼 Has she got a new job? I heard she was looking for something more exciting.
💌 Has she got the invitation to the wedding? It’s next Saturday.
🍽️ Has she got any recommendations for good restaurants around here?
💧 Has it got enough water in its bowl? Dogs need to stay hydrated, especially in the heat!
🛏️ Has it got a cozy bed to sleep in? It looks like a tired dog.
🧸 Has it got enough toys to play with? Puppies need to stay active!
2. When to Use “Have Got”:
2.1 When talking about possessions:
Examples:
💻 I have got a new laptop for work, and it’s much faster than my old one.
👨👩👧👦 We have got a big family, so we always celebrate holidays together with lots of fun.
🖊 You have got a pen in your bag, right? Can I borrow it for a moment?
🎒 They have got new backpacks for school, and they are really excited to use them.
🏠 He has got a house by the beach, where he goes every summer to relax.
🐱 She has got a cute little cat named Whiskers, and it loves to play all day.
📚 It has got a lot of pages, but this book is incredibly interesting and worth the read.
2.2 When talking about relationships:
Examples:
🌟 I’ve got a best friend who always makes me laugh when I’m feeling down.
👨👩👦 We’ve got a big family reunion this weekend with all our cousins and relatives.
💬 You’ve got a great relationship with your brother; you both always help each other out.
🌍 They’ve got a group of international friends they met while traveling around Europe.
🏡 He’s got a lovely wife and two kids who adore him.
🐕 She’s got a loyal dog that follows her everywhere she goes.
🐱 It’s got a caring owner who spoils it with treats and toys.
2.3 For physical attributes:
Examples:
💇♂️ I’ve got long, curly hair that’s difficult to comb in the morning.
👀 We’ve got sharp eyes that help us spot birds from far away during our hikes.
💪 You’ve got strong arms perfect for lifting heavy boxes at work.
🌞 They’ve got freckles on their faces, making them look even more unique.
🏋️♂️ He’s got broad shoulders that make him stand out in a crowd.
👁️ She’s got bright green eyes that sparkle under the sunlight.
🐕 It’s got soft fur that feels so warm and cozy to touch.
3. Notes:
3.1 Contraction:
In speaking or informal writing, it’s common to use contractions:
☑️ I have got → I’ve got
☑️ She has got → She’s got
3.2 “Have got” vs. “Have”:
“Have got” is mostly used in present tense. In other tenses (past, future), we usually just use “have” without “got”:
☑️ Present: I’ve got a dog.
☑️ Past: I had a dog. (Not had got)
☑️ Future: I will have a dog. (Not will have got)
3.3 Common Mistakes:
Don’t use got alone. It must always be with “have.”
❌ I got a pen.
✅ I’ve got a pen.
