“Have” and “has” aren't just for use as a form of possession. You'll often come across these words when constructing sentences, but they can be quite confusing.
In this article, we will discuss how to use "have" and "has" correctly, complete with easy-to-understand example sentences. Check out the explanation carefully.
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Difference Between “Have” and “Has”
People often think that “have” and “has” are only used to express ownership of objects. However, these two verbs have more functions than that.
Basically, “have” and “has” are the main auxiliary verbs. They have no meaning, but they have an important role in the formation of tenses so that a sentence can give a complete meaning.
In addition, they can also be positioned as main verbs that stand alone, not auxiliary verbs that help the meaning of other verbs that accompany them.
Take a look at the following examples of conversations using "have" and "has".
As a main verb
- Adelle: “Did you go to Diana's family party yesterday?”
- Niki: “Yes, they have a really big and luxurious house, right?”
- Adelle: “Why did he move out of town?"
- Niki: “Reportedly he has a new job there.”
As an auxiliary verb
- Adelle: “I'm going to the bakery, do you want to leave something?"
- Niki: “No thanks, I have eaten breakfast before.”
- Adelle: “Looks like our plans are canceled today.”
- Niki: "That's right, it has been raining all day."
In a common expression
- Adelle: “You've been quiet today, are you okay?”
- Niki: “Oh sorry, I have a little headache.”
- Adelle: “He looks like he's exhausted.”
- Niki: "He has a lot of work to do."
From the conversations above, did you find anything interesting? That's right, the use of "have" and "has" depends on the subject.
Also read: How to Use They, Their, and They're
When Should You Use “Have”?
In general, "have" is used for the subjects I, you, we, and they. “Have” can be used in the simple present tense to express ownership or possession. Examples are:
- I have a book.
- They have a new car.
“Have" is also used to form present perfect tenses. It shows an action that has just been completed and is used to describe past actions without mentioning time. The formula is subject + "have" + past participle (V3). For example:
- I’ve eaten lunch. (I have eaten lunch).
- Noah and Joy have finished their task.
If you want to express negative and interrogative sentences in the simple present tense, you can only use the word “have”.
So, the "has" rule for the subject he, she, and it only applies to positive (affirmative) sentences. Here are the examples:
- Positive: She has a pen.
- Negative: She doesn't have a pen.
- Interrogative: Does she have a pen?
When Should You Use “Has”?
"Has" is used for different subjects, which are he, she, and it. “Has” is also used in the simple present tense to show possession. Examples are:
- He has an idea.
- She has a cute cat.
As well as “have”, “has” is also used to form present perfect tenses. The formula is subject + "has" + past participle (V3). For example:
- She has gone to Paris
- Roy has got a new phone.
Have vs Has: Singular or Plural?
"Have" is used for the subjects I, you, we, and they. Here are the simple explanation:
- I, you, and we, are the first and second-person pronouns
- They is the third-person plural pronoun.
“Have” can also be used for plural nouns, such as students and cats. These are some examples:
- I have a big house
- You have a beautiful voice.
- We have a meeting tomorrow.
- They have some homework.
- The students have finished their exams.
As explained earlier, “have" can refer to a singular subject, especially in question forms or negative sentences, such as:
- Does he have any questions?
- That bird doesn’t have blue feathers.
Meanwhile, "has" is used for different subjects, which are he, she, and it. These three pronouns are third-person singular pronouns. "Has" can also be used for singular nouns, such as student and cat. Examples are:
- He has a sister.
- She has a talent for dancing.
- It has a nice view.
- The cat has long fur.
Also read: Examples of Adjectives in English
Conclusion
By understanding the difference between the use of "have" and "has", you will be more confident in speaking English.
Keep practicing using these two verbs in your daily conversations. Don't hesitate to find a friend to practice with. Guaranteed your skills will continue to improve!
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