Have vs. Has: Understanding the Difference
Definition and Usage of “Have” and “Has”
“Have” and “has” are both forms of the verb “to have” which is used to indicate possession, ownership or relationship between two or more things. “Have” is the base form of the verb and is used with plural subjects, whereas “has” is the third person singular present tense form and is used with singular subjects.
For example, “I have a car” uses the base form “have” because the subject “I” is singular. On the other hand, “She has a car” uses “has” because the subject “she” is singular.
In addition to indicating possession, “have” and “has” can also be used to express a wide range of meanings such as experience, obligation, and action.
It is important to note that the correct usage of “have” and “has” depends on the subject of the sentence, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and errors in communication.
Subject-Verb Agreement with “Have” and “Has”
Subject-verb agreement is an important grammatical rule that states that the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. When using “have” and “has,” it is important to remember this rule in order to use them correctly.
When the subject is plural, the base form “have” is used. For example, “They have two cats” or “We have been friends for years.” On the other hand, when the subject is singular, the third person singular present tense form “has” is used. For example, “He has a dog” or “She has a beautiful singing voice.”
It is also important to note that when the subject is a compound noun, such as “bread and butter,” the verb agrees with the closest noun to it. For example, “Bread and butter have been on the table for hours” uses “have” because “butter” is singular.
Understanding subject-verb agreement with “have” and “has” is essential for clear and effective communication in English.
Common Phrases and Idioms with “Have” and “Has”
“Have” and “has” are not only used to indicate possession and ownership, but they are also used in many common phrases and idioms in the English language.
Some examples of phrases and idioms using “have” and “has” are:
- Have a good day: A common expression used to wish someone well or bid them farewell.
- Has been around the block: An idiom meaning someone or something has a lot of experience or has been through a lot.
- Have it your way: A phrase meaning to allow someone to do something the way they want it done.
- Has the cat got your tongue?: An idiom used to ask someone why they are not speaking or responding.
- Have a heart: A phrase used to appeal to someone’s kindness or empathy.
By learning common phrases and idioms that use “have” and “has,” learners can improve their understanding of the English language and communicate more effectively in a variety of situations.
Using “Have” and “Has” in Questions and Negations
When forming questions and negations using “have” and “has,” the word order changes slightly.
To form a question with “have” or “has,” the auxiliary verb “do” is used before the subject. For example, “Do you have a pen?” or “Does he have a car?” In these examples, “do” and “does” are the auxiliary verbs that help form the question, and “have” and “has” remain in their base and third person singular present tense forms, respectively.
To form a negation with “have” or “has,” the word “not” is added after the auxiliary verb “do” or “does.” For example, “I do not have a cat” or “She does not have a phone.” In these examples, “not” is added after the auxiliary verb to form the negation.
It is important to note that when forming questions and negations, the auxiliary verb “do” or “does” is used, and the main verb “have” or “has” remains in its base or third person singular present tense form.
By understanding how to use “have” and “has” in questions and negations, learners can ask and answer questions and express negations more confidently in English.
Exercises to Practice Using “Have” and “Has” Correctly
To improve proficiency in using “have” and “has” correctly, learners can practice with various exercises. Some examples of exercises include:
Fill in the blank: Students can be given sentences with missing words and asked to fill in the blanks with “have” or “has” to make the sentence grammatically correct.
Sentence transformation: Students can be given a sentence in one form, such as a statement, and asked to transform it into a question or negation using “have” or “has.”
Conversation practice: Students can practice using “have” and “has” in conversation with a partner, discussing topics such as hobbies, interests, and daily routines.
Storytelling: Students can be given a picture or prompt and asked to create a story using “have” and “has” correctly.
By practicing with exercises like these, learners can improve their understanding and usage of “have” and “has” in various contexts, leading to more effective communication in English.
