Have Got
Grammar / A1 Grammar lessons and exercises /Have Got
Have got – Grammar Guide
Have got – Form
We use have got to talk about possession, features, or characteristics. It is very common in British English.
- I’ve got a car. (I have a car)
- I haven’t got a car. (I don’t have a car)
- Have you got a car? (Do you have a car?)
- Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.
British vs American English
Have got is mainly used in British English in speaking. In American English, people usually use have instead.
- I have got a dog. 🇬🇧 (British)
- I have a dog. 🇺🇸 (American)
- She hasn’t got time. 🇬🇧
- She doesn’t have time. 🇺🇸
⚠️ No Past Tense with 'Have got'
Have got only has a present tense form. There is no past tense with had got.
- ❌ I had got a car.
- ✅ I had a car.
- ❌ I hadn’t got a car.
- ✅ I didn’t have a car.
- ❌ Had you got a car?
- ✅ Did you have a car?
Use: Possession & Family
We use have got to talk about things you own or your family.
- She’s got a nice apartment.
- Have you got a computer?
- I haven’t got any brothers or sisters.
Use: Illnesses
We often use have got to talk about health or symptoms.
- I’ve got a headache.
- She’s got a cold.
- He’s got a fever.
Use: Physical Descriptions
We use have got to describe appearance.
- He’s got brown hair and a long nose.
- They’ve got blue eyes.
- She’s got a beautiful smile.