Grammar-Quizzes › Verb Phrases › Verbs › Present Tense › Possession States
Present Tense: Possession States(static verbs / stative verbs)
Indicate possession and ownership
Possession vs. Experience
| POSSESSESION |
|---|
A static verb expresses "a state being". The verbs below are used for "possession" (have, belong, own, posses). They express a passive relationship to a noun. They are mostly nonprogressive. |
| POSSESS |
My dog has a ball. (temporary or permanent hold on) |
The dog belongs my sister. (is under guardianship, in care of) |
My dog has blond fur. (exists with this characteristic) |
She will possess your heart. (take hold of) |
We own a house with a backyard. (hold leagal papers) |
We hold the title to our house. (hold legal papers) |
Secretariat holds the title as the fastest horse ever. (is known for, is distinguished for) |
| EXPERIENCE |
|---|
Below, have expresses passively experiencing a feeling or circumstance. No one is taking action to do something. These expressions are mostly progressive (but not when used for health problems.) |
| EXPERIENCE PASSIVELY |
We are having fun! [a great morning, a good time] |
We are having trouble [difficulty, a hard time]. |
We are having such good luck [bad luck]. (experience fortune) |
We are having a boring day [exciting afternoon] |
We are having a drought [a harsh winter]. (experience weather) |
He has a headache. (experience illness–not progressive) |
He has the flu. (experience illness–not progressive) |
ball (N) an elegant social dancing event; ball (N) – a round (spherical) play toy; have a ball (expression) – have fun
Also see "Be" vs. "Have" expressions.
"Have"
Expressions
Have—hosting vs. eating something
| HAVING—HOSTING |
|---|
Having a turkey for dinner could mean inviting a turkey as a guest, or it could mean eating a (just one) turkey at dinner. Slang: He's a turkey – a foolish person |
|
He's having a birthday party. (host) |
We're having some visitors from overseas. (host) |
We are | HAVING—CONSUMING |
|---|
Having turkey for dinner simply means eating turkey meat for dinner. See Food Quantifiers for meat. |
|
We are having a drink in the lobby. (sitting and enjoying) |
We are having dinner/ lunch/ breakfast. (eat) |
We are
| MEANING | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|
AWAIT THE BIRTH (V) |
We are having a baby. (Later a couple would say, " We have a baby.") |
BE RELATED (V) |
I have four brothers. |
ACCEPT RELATIONSHIP (V) |
She didn't want to marry him. She wouldn't have him. |
EXPERIENCE (V) |
We're having a great time. |
HOLD IN MIND (V) |
I have an idea. |
BE IDENTIFIED BY (V) |
She has a mole on her left cheek. |
CARRY ON / CARRY OUT (V) |
Let's have a little talk. Let's have a look. |
ASSERT (V) |
Rumor has it that Brad Pitt will be doing the movie. |
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) |
PUT IN A POSITION (V) |
The other chess player had him on the defensive. |
GAIN POSSESSION (V) |
There was none to be had at any price. |
ADVISE (V) |
You had better go. You had better not say anything. |
BECOME TIRED OR DEFEATED (V) |
We have had it with his complaining all the time. Enough! |
DESERVE (V) |
He had it coming to him after treating her so badly. (misfortune) |
SETTLE A DISPUTE (V) |
Let's have it out. I don't want to keep fighting. |
WEAR (V) |
She had on a beautiful white, sleeveless ball gown. |
ATTACK (V) |
It's time to have at my homework. (informal) |
BE UNRELATED; TO AVOID (V) |
We have nothing to do with that situation. She has nothing to do with him anymore. |
Pop-Q Have got
Also see Phrasal Verbs- have
Have vs. Have Got
British Variation
Have vs. Have Got
| HAVE |
|---|
Have is used for possession and actions (to experience) such as "IWe're having fun", "She's having a baby". |
He has money. (Eng-US – possession) |
I usually have dinner at 8:00 p.m. (eat ) |
| HAVE GOT |
|---|
Have got is used for possession more commonly in British English (while have gotten has a meaning of acquiring something by some unmentioned means.) |
He has got money. ( Eng.–Br. – possession) |
I usually have got dinner at 8:00 p.m. |
Common Mistakes
Errors & Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
*I have twenty-one years. |
*I'm have trouble with my washing machine. *I've trouble with my washing machine. |
*My puppy has six months.
She is having a ball. |
| SOLUTION |
|---|
I am twenty-one. I am twenty-one-years old. (Use be instead of have.) |
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 has a ball. (possession) She is having a ball with it. |
ball (N) an elegant social dancing event; from Fr. baler - to dance
ball (N) – a round (spherical) play toy
have a ball (expression) – have fun
Pop-Q "Having"
Practice 1
Possession vs. Have Expression
Present or present progressive?
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" button.
Practice 2
Have vs. Having
Present or present progressive?
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" button.