Have and Has ? Never get confused Using Each!

Possession, a fundamental concept in language, holds great significance as it enables us to convey ownership and establish connections between individuals and objects. Within the realm of expressing possession, two key verb forms take center stage: “have” and “has.” In the following discourse, we shall delve into the disparities between “have” and “has” and shed light on their respective applications concerning possession.

Understanding the Verb Forms:

The verb “have” represents a versatile form that finds utility across various grammatical contexts. It serves as the base form for the infinitive and is employed with first-person singular (I), second-person singular and plural (you), and plural subjects (we, they). For instance, “I have a car,” “You have a book,” “We have two cats,” and “They have many possessions.” Regardless of the subject pronoun, “have” remains unaltered in these instances, emphasizing the act of possessing or owning something.

On the other hand, “has” assumes a distinct form and is specifically used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) or singular nouns. When we refer to a single person, animal, or object possessing or owning something, we use “has” to denote this relationship. For example, “He has a dog,” “She has a laptop,” “The tree has many leaves,” and “The company has a new CEO.” In these cases, “has” reflects the singular nature of the subject and concords with it accordingly.

The distinction between have and has lies in their grammatical usage with respect to subject agreement. “Have” is the base form of the verb, used with plural subjects and the pronouns “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they.” On the other hand, “has” is the third-person singular form of the verb, employed with singular subjects and the pronouns “he,” “she,” and “it.”

So, to sum up, look at the following conjugation of have and has:

I/we/you/you/they have a new car.

He/she/it/John has a cor.

Examples of Have and Has in Possession:

When it comes to showing possession, have and has are different verb forms that indicate possession in different grammatical contexts:

When should you use have?

Plural subjects and “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they”:
- “We have a beautiful garden.”
- “They have two cars.”
- “You have an amazing talent.”
- “I have a new job opportunity.”

When should you use has?

Singular subjects and “he,” “she,” and “it”:
- “She has a pet dog.”
- “He has a collection of rare stamps.”
- “The company has a strict policy.”
- “The book has an intriguing plot.”

What is the Difference between Have and Has

Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb form matches the subject. “Have” is used with plural subjects, while “has” is used with singular subjects.
Pronoun Usage: Be mindful of the pronouns you use. When the subject is “I,” “you,” “we,” or “they,” employ “have.” For subjects like “he,” “she,” and “it,” use “has.”
Sentence Structure: Remember that possession can be expressed in various sentence structures, such as declarative, interrogative, or negative sentences. The choice between “have” and “has” remains consistent based on subject agreement.

Sentences with Has and Have

In these examples, “has” is used with singular subjects (“she,” “the company,” “he,” “the book,” etc.), while “have” is used with plural subjects (“they,” “we,” “my friend,” “the museum,” etc.). Both forms indicate possession in their respective grammatical contexts.

She has a beautiful house.
They have two dogs and a cat.
The company has its own manufacturing facility.
He has a collection of rare coins.
We have a family vacation planned for next week.
The book has an interesting storyline.
My friend has a talent for playing the piano.
The museum has a remarkable art collection.
They have a summer house by the beach.
The car has a built-in GPS system.
She has a beautiful necklace.
They have a large house with a garden.
The cat has its own cozy bed.
He has a collection of vintage stamps.
We have a picnic basket full of delicious food.
The museum has an extensive art collection.
The team has won several championships.
I have a bookshelf filled with novels.
The car has its own dedicated parking spot.
They have a strong bond as siblings.

Common Errors When Using Have and Has for Possession

When using “have” and “has” to express possession, there are some common errors that people tend to make. Let’s explore these errors and learn how to avoid them for accurate and effective communication.

Subject-Verb Agreement: One common mistake is failing to match the subject and the verb correctly. Remember, “have” is used with plural subjects (e.g., “They have a car”), while “has” is used with singular subjects (e.g., “She has a cat”). Mixing these up can lead to incorrect sentences like “She have a cat” or “They has a car.”
Third-Person Singular: Another common error is forgetting to use “has” with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) or singular nouns. For example, saying “He have a dog” instead of “He has a dog” or “The company have a new CEO” instead of “The company has a new CEO.”
Contractions: Sometimes, people mistakenly contract “have” and “has” incorrectly. Remember that “I have” is contracted as “I’ve,” while “he has” is contracted as “he’s.” Using contractions like “I has” or “he have” is grammatically incorrect.
Double “Has” or “Have”: Another error is using both “has” and “have” in a single sentence. For example, saying “He has a cat and have a dog” instead of “He has a cat and has a dog” or “They have a book and has a pen” instead of “They have a book and have a pen.” To maintain consistency, use the appropriate form consistently throughout the sentence.
Incorrect Placement: Placing “have” or “has” in the wrong position within the sentence can also lead to errors. For instance, saying “A cat she has” instead of “She has a cat” or “Many possessions they have” instead of “They have many possessions.” Ensure that the verb is in the correct position according to the standard subject-verb-object structure.

To avoid these common errors, it is essential to pay attention to subject-verb agreement, use the correct form of “have” or “has” based on singular or plural subjects, and use contractions appropriately. By maintaining consistency, using the appropriate form, and placing the verb correctly, you can ensure accurate and effective usage of “have” and “has” for expressing possession.

Which one is correct does it have or does it has?

The correct form is “does it have?” The auxiliary verb “does” is used to form questions and negations in the present simple tense for third-person singular subjects (he, she, it). When using “does” in a question, the main verb remains in its base form without the addition of “s” or “es.” Therefore, we say “does it have?” instead of “does it has?”

Have/Has Questions Examples

Here are some examples of questions using “have” and “has”:

Do you have a car?
Does he have any siblings?
Have they visited that country before?
Has she finished her homework?
Have you ever been to Paris?
Has the project been completed?
Do we have any milk left?
Does it have a warranty?
Have you seen that movie?
Has the meeting been rescheduled?

These examples showcase the use of “have” and “has” in question forms to inquire about possession, experiences, completion of tasks, and other related contexts.

Everybody Has or Have

The correct phrase is “Everybody has,” not “Everybody have.” When referring to “everybody,” it is treated as a singular pronoun, and therefore, the singular form of the verb “has” is used. This follows the rule of subject-verb agreement, where a singular subject requires a singular verb. So, the correct sentence is “Everybody has,” as in:

Everybody has their own preferences.
Everybody has to follow the rules.
Everybody has a role to play in the project.

In each of these examples, “has” agrees with the singular pronoun “everybody” to maintain grammatical consistency.

Verbs Contractions of Have and Has

Certainly! Here are the contractions for the verbs “have” and “has”:

I have = I’ve
You have = You’ve
He has = He’s
She has = She’s
It has = It’s
We have = We’ve
They have = They’ve

These contractions are commonly used in both spoken and written English to form more concise and informal expressions. It’s important to note that the contraction “it’s” can also be a contraction of “it is,” so context is crucial in determining whether it represents “it has” or “it is.”

Wrapping up

Understanding the distinction between have and has when expressing possession is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy. By recognizing the subject-verb agreement and using the appropriate form, you can effectively convey ownership and possession in your communication. Practice and familiarity with these verb forms will help you express possession confidently in both spoken and written English.

Remember, “have” and “has” are not interchangeable when it comes to possession. The key lies in subject agreement. So, the next time you want to talk about possession, pay attention to the subject and choose “have” or “has” accordingly. Happy communicating!