Possession States
Having Possession
Statements of Possession vs. "Having" Expressions
| TO POSSESS | TO EXPERIENCE |
|---|---|
STATIVE VERBS - the verbs below cannot be progressive. They are states not actions. |
ACTION VERB – the verb "have" occurs in expressions about activities. Have in these expressions can be progressive. |
| My neighbor has a vintage car. (old, restored car) |
We are having fun! (to experience a good time) |
| The car belonged to a car collector. |
We are already having a drink. ( to consume) |
| The old Cadillac has fins like a fish. |
We are having dinner/ lunch/ breakfast. (to eat) |
| This car will possess your heart. (take hold of) |
We are having trouble / difficulty. (to experience) |
The collector owns several old cars. |
We are having a baby. (to await the birth) |
The collector holds title to them. (registration papers) |
He's having a bad time. (to experience) |
|
He's having a party. (to host) |
HAVE - Other Expressions
| MEANING | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|
TO BE RELATED (v) |
I have four brothers. |
TO ACCEPT RELATIONSHIP (v) |
She didn't want to marry him. She wouldn't have him. |
TO EXPERIENCE (v) |
We're having a great time. |
TO HOLD IN MIND (v) |
I have an idea. |
TO BE IDENTIFIED BY (v) |
She has a mole on her left cheek. |
TO CARRY ON (v) |
Let's have a little talk. |
TO ASSERT (v) |
Rumor has it that Brad Pitt will be doing the movie. |
TO HOLD ADVANTAGE (v) |
They have it over us by at least three points. |
TO BE DECEIVED (v) |
The investors were had by the con artist. (crook) |
TO PUT IN A POSITION (v) |
The other chess player had him on the defensive. |
TO GAIN POSSESSION (v) |
There was none to be had at any price. |
TO ADVISE (v) |
You had better go. You had better not say anything. |
TO BECOME TIRED OR DEFEATED (v) |
We have had it with his complaining all the time. Enough! |
TO DESERVE (v) |
He had it coming to him after treating her so badly. (misfortune) |
Let's have it out. I don't want to keep fighting. |
|
TO WEAR (v) |
She had on a beautiful white, sleeveless ball gown. |
TO ATTACK (v) |
It's time to have at my homework. (informal) |
|
We have nothing to do with that situation. She has nothing to do with him anymore. |
Also see Phrasal Verbs- have
Have vs. Have Got
| HAVE | HAVE GOT |
|---|---|
Have is used for possession and actions (to experience) such as "I am having fun". |
Have got is used only for possession and is used informally elsewhere. |
He has money. (possession) |
He's got money. (possession) He's gotten money. (acquired it or received it by some means) |
I usually have dinner at 8:00 p.m. (action - eat ) |
I usually have got dinner at 8:00 p.m. (action - eat)
|
|
Song (1921): In the morning, in the evening, ain't we got fun. (informal - artistic license) |
My puppy has a ball.
She is "having a ball" with it.
Common Mistakes
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
I'm have trouble with my washing machine. I've trouble with my washing machine. |
I'm having trouble with my washing machine. I have trouble with my washing machine. (Have – for possession – cannot be contracted.)
|
|
My puppy is six months old. (Use is not has.) She is having a ball with it. (expression - having a great time) |
Practice
Possession vs. Expression with Have
- Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your responses to the answers by clicking the the "show answers" button at the bottom.
Have - Expressions
Have vs. Having
- Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your responses to the answers by clicking the the "show answers" button at the bottom.
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