Grammar: Verbs for Possession
A1 Lesson 11: Using "have got"
The Grammar Rules 📖
In spoken English, a very common way to say you have something is with the verb phrase "have got". The rule changes depending on the pronoun.
Rule 1: Use have got
For subjects: I, You, We, They
- I have got a question.
- You have got a nice hat.
- They have got a house near the river.
Rule 2: Use has got
For subjects: He, She, It
- He has got a new motorcycle.
- She has got a shop in the market.
- It (the cat) has got white paws.
Grammar Toolkit 🛠️
Speaking Fluently with Contractions
In everyday speaking, we almost always use short forms (contractions).
| Long Form | Short Form | Long Form | Short Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| I have got | I've got | He has got | He's got |
| You have got | You've got | She has got | She's got |
| We have got | We've got | It has got | It's got |
| They have got | They've got |
💡 Pro Tip: Be Careful!
The contraction 'He's' can mean "He is" OR "He has". The contraction 'It's' can mean "It is" OR "It has". You know the meaning from the other words in the sentence.
- He's tall. (He is tall.)
- He's got a hat. (He has got a hat.)
Practice Your Grammar 🎯
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Verb
Complete the sentences using have got or has got.
- She ____________ a new dress. (Answer: has got)
- We ____________ tickets for the bus. (Answer: have got)
- The farmers ____________ a big pepper farm. (Answer: have got)
- He ____________ a question for the teacher. (Answer: has got)
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write About Your Possessions
Write three sentences about things you or your family members have. Try to use the contraction form ('ve got / 's got).
Example: I've got a blue pen. My brother's got a bicycle. We've got a television.
Key Vocabulary
- Own / Possess To have something that belongs to you.
- have got / has got A common spoken way to say you have something.
- Seafood Fish and shellfish from the sea that you can eat.