“Have got”

To talk about possessions, family, features, illnesses or appointments, you can use have or have got — the meaning is the same. Have got is common in spoken British English; Americans use have more.

• We've got a new car. = We have a new car.

• Minh has got two sisters.

• She's got long curly hair.

• I've got a sore throat.

• I have a dentist appointment at four.

💡's can be is or has: He's got a cold = He has got a cold; He's cold = He is cold. If “got” follows, it's has.

Don't mix the two patterns: not “Do you have got…?” or “I don't have got…”.

In the past, use had (usually without got). Questions and negatives use did / didn't have.

• I had a bike when I was a kid.

• We didn't have much money back then.

• Did you have a good weekend?

Have is also used for things you do or experience. With this meaning you can't use have got, but you can use the continuous, and questions/negatives take do/does/did.

• eating and drinking: have breakfast / lunch / dinner / a coffee / a snack
• rest and routine: have a shower / a bath / a rest / a break / a nap
• experiences: have a good time / fun / a party / a problem / an accident / a dream
• other activities: have a look / a chat / a meeting / a lesson

• We usually have dinner at seven.

• Can I call you back? I'm having lunch.

• I don't usually have breakfast.

• Did you have fun at the party?

• ✗I'm having a car.

  ✓I have a car. / I've got a car.

  Possession doesn't use the continuous.

• ✗She have got a dog.

  ✓She has got a dog.

  he/she/it → has.

• ✗Do you have got a pen?

  ✓Have you got a pen? / Do you have a pen?

  Don't mix do with have got.

• ✗I've got breakfast at 7.

  ✓I have breakfast at 7.

  Have for actions never takes got.

• ✗I had got a bike when I was young.

  ✓I had a bike when I was young.

  Past possession uses had.