Learn ‘Have got’ for Possession (Pre-A1 English Grammar)

Raúl Maguiña

Fondatore di Langcom | Esaminatore per Cambridge e SIELE

Luglio 14, 2026

PRE-A1✏️ Grammar⏱️ 4 min read
‘Have got’ is a common way to talk about possession in English. It means ‘to own’ or ‘to have something.’ For example, I have got a new phone means I own a new phone. This phrase is very useful for describing what people, animals, or things possess. You will hear it often in everyday conversations, especially in British English. It is a simple structure to learn, perfect for Pre-A1 learners, and helps you express basic ideas about what you or others have. You can use it for positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions. For instance, Have you got a pet? oppure She hasn’t got a car. Understanding ‘have got’ will make your English sound more natural and fluent.

What is ‘Have got’?

‘Have got’ is a phrase we use to talk about things we own or possess. It is very common in spoken English.

  • It means the same as ‘have’ when talking about possession.
  • For example, I have got a book means I have a book.
  • We use ‘have got’ for things like objects, relationships, and characteristics.

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How to Use ‘Have got’ for Possession?

Using ‘have got’ is simple. The verb ‘have’ changes depending on the subject.

Positive Sentences

For I, you, we, they, we use have got.

  • I have got a big family.
  • You have got a nice smile.

For he, she, it, we use has got.

  • He has got a new car.
  • She has got long hair.

Negative Sentences

To make ‘have got’ negative, we add not after have oppure has.

  • I have not got a pen. (Short form: I haven’t got a pen.)
  • She has not got a brother. (Short form: She hasn’t got a brother.)

Questions

To ask a question, we put Have oppure Has at the beginning of the sentence.

  • Have you got a sister?
  • Has he got a dog?

Short Answers

We use have oppure has in short answers.

  • Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.
  • Yes, she has. / No, she hasn’t.
Forms of 'Have got' for Possession
Subject Positive Negative Question
I / You / We / They have got haven’t got Have … got?
He / She / It has got hasn’t got Has … got?

Examples

  • I have got a red bicycle.
  • They have got two children.
  • He has got a lot of friends.
  • She hasn’t got any money.
  • We haven’t got time for that.
  • Have you got a map?
  • Has it got a name?
  • Yes, I have.
  • No, she hasn’t.

Practice

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Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers sometimes make specific mistakes with ‘have got’.

  • Using ‘do/does’ with ‘have got’ for questions or negatives: In Spanish, you often use ‘do’ or ‘does’ for questions and negatives. But with ‘have got’, ‘have’ acts as the auxiliary verb.
    • Incorrect: Do you have got a car?
    • Correct: Have you got a car?
    • Incorrect: She doesn’t have got a pet.
    • Correct: She hasn’t got a pet.
  • Confusing ‘have got’ (possession) with ‘have’ as an action verb: Remember that ‘have got’ is only for possession. ‘Have’ can also be an action verb (e.g., have breakfast, have a shower). Do not use ‘got’ in these cases.
    • Incorrect: I have got breakfast every morning.
    • Correct: I have breakfast every morning.

Domande frequenti

What does ‘have got’ mean?

‘Have got’ means ‘to possess’ or ‘to own’ something. It is used to talk about things you have, like I have got a new book.

Is ‘have got’ formal or informal?

‘Have got’ is generally considered informal. It is very common in everyday spoken English. In more formal writing, you would usually just use ‘have’.

Can I just say ‘have’ instead of ‘have got’?

Yes, you can. When talking about possession, ‘have’ and ‘have got’ mean the same thing. For example, I have a car is correct, and I have got a car is also correct.

Is ‘have got’ more common in British or American English?

‘Have got’ is more commonly used in British English. In American English, people often prefer to use ‘have’ without ‘got’ for possession.

Related lessons

Informazioni sull'autore: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña è il direttore dell’Asociación Educativa Langcom, un centro autorizzato di preparazione all’esame Cambridge English con sede a STATI UNITI D'AMERICA. Con oltre un decennio di esperienza nel campo dell'insegnamento delle lingue e delle certificazioni internazionali, ha aiutato migliaia di studenti, insegnanti e istituti scolastici in 25 paesi a ottenere le certificazioni di inglese Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL e Michigan.

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