When to have and when to has in English: the main difference between verbs

When learning English, sometimes you can get confused about where to write have and where has. But it's actually easier than it seems! The main thing is to understand who or what is performing the action. In this article, I will explain the difference between have and has in a way that is easy to understand. Ready? Then let's get going!

Have and has are two forms of the same verb that means “to have”, “to possess” or sometimes just to help make up tenses in English. They are used depending on who or what is being talked about.
I have a busy schedule today.
He has a lot of homework to do.
The key is to remember which pronouns go with which option. This is a basic that is easy to remember if you break it down in order.

But has is needed for he, she, it, and also for any nouns in the singular, unless it's you or the person you're talking to. Here are examples:
She has a beautiful garden full of flowers.
He has a knack for solving puzzles.
The school has a new library with thousands of books.
My cat has a habit of stealing my socks.
The general rule is that if you're talking about one person or thing, use has. But if in doubt, just think about who is doing the action and it will become clear!

Now that we have figured out what have and has are, it's time to understand how to use them correctly. It's easy if you memorize a few rules and tricks.

Here has is appropriate for:
One person, animal or object (he, she, it):
He has an interesting story to share.
She has a great collection of stamps.
It has a really loud engine. (It (the car, for example) has a really loud engine.)
Singular:
My best friend has a talent for cooking.
The cat has bright green eyes.
Remember: has is always about one.

Everyone gets confused sometimes, and that's okay! Here's something to watch out for:
Mixing have and has. For example:
Incorrect: She has a nice dress.
Correct: She has a nice dress.
Just remember: has is always for the singular, like “she”.
Verb omission. Sometimes people forget to insert have or has:
Incorrect: They a new phone.
Correct: They have a new phone.
Never skip a verb or the sentence loses meaning.
Using has with I or you.
Incorrect: I have two brothers.
Correct: I have two brothers.
If in doubt, just think about whether you are talking about one or several. And everything will fall into place!

In the present tense, have is used to say that someone has something or it is happening now.
I have a new phone.
She has a lot of hobbies.
Don't forget that in Present Simple for he, she, it instead of have.

In the past tense, the verb have becomes had. It doesn't matter who is doing the action - the same form works for everyone!
I had a fantastic summer last year.
They had a small party yesterday.
He had a cold last week.
Just remember: had is the universal past form.

When we use have in Continuous tenses (like Present Continuous), we are showing that the action is happening right now. However, here's the trick: have is more often used in the sense of “to have” in simple tenses, but in Continuous it is used in other meanings. For example, “to receive” or “to conduct”.
I am having breakfast.
They were having a meeting when I called.
She is having a great time at the party.
Important: Do not say I am having a dog to mean “I have a dog”. It will sound weird, like you're eating a dog! 😂
The tenses with have seem complicated, but once you realize when it's primary and when it's auxiliary, things will get easier.

Have got is a more colloquial way of saying that someone has something. It's often used in British English, but you'll hear it in American English too. The main thing to remember is that have got is used in the present tense.
Examples:
I have got a lot of friends.
She has got an interesting idea for the project.
They have got a new car.
Note: with the pronouns he, she, it we use has got. It is also important to know that the verb have is shortened in negations and questions:
I haven't got enough time.
Has she got a pet?
So, if you want to sound like a native speaker, go ahead and use have got!

When we say have to or have got to, it is no longer about “to have”, but about the need to do something. These constructions are very similar, but there are slight differences.
Have to is more about rules, duties or routine:
I have to wake up early for school.
We have to wear uniforms at work.
Have got to sounds a little less formal and is more common in colloquial speech:
I have got to finish this report by tomorrow.
You have got to see this movie, it's amazing!
In negations, these constructions change the meaning:
You don't have to come if you're busy.
Remember: have got to is used only in the present tense, while have to can be used both in the past and in the future.

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