States of Possession
Possession and ownership
Statements of Possession Having Expressions
| POSSESSESION |
|---|
A static verb indicates a state. The verbs below are states of "possession" (have, belong, own, posses) indicating a passive relationship to a noun. A static verb usually takes the nonprogressive verb form. |
My dog has a ball. |
The dog belongs my sister. |
My dog has blond fur. |
She will possess your heart. (take hold of) |
We own a house with a backyard. |
We hold the title to our house. (ownership papers) |
Secretariat holds the title as the fastest horse ever. (has the distinction) |
| EXPERIENCE |
|---|
A dynamic verb indicates an activity that we take action to do or perform. The verbs below indicate the activity of experiencing something and take a progressive or a nonprogressive verb form. |
My dog is having a ball! (expression – enjoy) |
We are already having a drink. ( consume) |
We are having dinner/ lunch/ breakfast. (eat) |
We are having trouble / difficulty. (experience) |
We are having a baby. (await the birth) |
He's having a bad time. (experience) |
He's having a party. (host) |
"Have"
Expressions
| 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 |
|
We are | HAVING - EATING |
|---|
Having turkey for dinner simply means eating turkey meat for dinner. See Food Quantifiers for meat. |
|
We are
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) |
TO SETTLE A DISPUTE (v) |
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) |
TO 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. (Action – 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 | SOLUTION |
|---|---|
I have twenty-one years. |
I am twenty-one. I am twenty-one-years old. (Use be instead of have.) |
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 has six months.
She is having a ball. |
My puppy is six months old. (Use is not has.) She is having a ball with it. (expression - having a great time) |
Pop-Q "Having"
Practice 1
Possession vs. Have Expression
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.
Practice 2
Have vs. Having
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button.