How to Use Have Got in English Grammar (With Arabic Explanation)
How to use " Have got " in English..
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| How to use " Have got " in English.. |
How to Use Have Got in English Grammar
In English grammar, have got is a very common structure used to talk about possession, family relationships, and personal characteristics. It is especially popular in British English and is often used in daily conversations rather than formal writing.
For ESL learners, especially beginners in Islamic schools, understanding how to use have got correctly helps improve speaking, reading, and writing skills.
What Does “Have Got” Mean?
Have got has the same meaning as have when we talk about owning something or having something. We use it to say that a person:
- owns something
- has family members
- has a physical feature
Examples:
- I have got a new book.
- She has got two brothers.
- They have got a big house.
In all these sentences, have got simply means own or possess.
Arabic support:
Have got = لديه / لديها / عنده / عندها
Form of “Have Got”
1. Affirmative (Positive Sentences)
The form of have got changes according to the subject:
- I / You / We / They have got
- He / She / It has got
Examples:
- I have got a pen.
- We have got English class today.
- He has got a new phone.
2. Negative Form
To make the negative form, we add not after have or has.
- I have not got → haven’t got
- He has not got → hasn’t got
Examples:
- I haven’t got enough time.
- She hasn’t got a car.
- They haven’t got homework today.
Arabic explanation:
النفي يكون بإضافة not: ليس لديه / ليس عنده
3. Question Form
To make questions, we move have or has to the beginning of the sentence.
Structure:
Have / Has + subject + got … ?
Examples:
- Have you got a pencil?
- Has he got a brother?
- Have they got English class today?
Short answers:
- Yes, I have.
- No, I haven’t.
- Yes, she has.
- No, he hasn’t.
When Do We Use “Have Got”?
1. Possession (Things We Own)
- I have got a laptop.
- She has got a nice bag.
2. Family and Relationships
- I have got two sisters.
- He has got many friends.
3. Physical Appearance
- She has got long hair.
- The boy has got blue eyes.
Arabic note:
نستخدم have got لوصف الملكية، العائلة، أو الشكل
“Have Got” vs “Have”
In most situations, have and have got have the same meaning:
- I have a book. ✅
- I have got a book. ✅
Important differences:
- Have got is common in spoken British English.
- Have is common in American English and formal writing.
Also, have got is usually used in the present tense only. We do not normally use it in the past or future.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- ❌ He have got a car → ✅ He has got a car
- ❌ Yes, I’ve got → ✅ Yes, I have
- ❌ I am having got a book → ✅ I have got a book
Arabic help:
انتبه لاستخدام has مع he / she / it
Practice for Students
Complete the sentences:
- I ______ got a new notebook.
- She ______ got a sister.
- ______ you got a dictionary?
Answers: have – has – Have
Teaching Tips for Teachers
- Use real objects in the classroom (books, bags, pens).
- Ask students personal questions: “Have you got a brother?”
- Write both forms (have / have got) on the board and compare.
- Encourage pair work and short speaking activities.
Conclusion
Have got is an important grammar structure for English learners. It helps students talk naturally about possession, family, and personal features. With clear explanations, Arabic support, and regular practice, students can use have got confidently in everyday English.
The Phrase "have got"
Explanation
The phrase "have got" is a colloquial English expression used to indicate possession or ownership of something. It can also be used to describe a characteristic, condition, or ability.
Possession
"I have got a car"
Condition
"I have got a headache"
Characteristic
"I have got two brothers"
| Subject | Affirmative (+) | Negative (-) | Question (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I, You, We, They | have got ('ve got) | haven't got | Have ... got? |
| He, She, It | has got ('s got) | hasn't got | Has ... got? |