have [3] ( has 3rd person present) ( having present participle) ( had past tense & past participle ) (OTHER VERB USES AND PHRASES)
For meanings 1-4, people often use have got in spoken British English or have gotten in spoken American English, instead of have. In this case, have is pronounced as an auxiliary verb. For more information and examples of the use of `have got' and `have gotten', see got.
Please look at category 19 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 verb You use have to say that someone or something owns a particular thing, or when you are mentioning one of their qualities or characteristics.
no passive
Oscar had a new bicycle... V n
I want to have my own business... V n
You have beautiful eyes... V n
Do you have any brothers and sisters?... V n
I have no doubt at all in my own mind about this... V n
Have you any valuables anywhere else in the house?... V n adv/prep
2 verb If you have something to do, you are responsible for doing it or must do it.
no passive
He had plenty of work to do... V n to-inf
I have some important calls to make. V n to-inf
3 verb You can use have instead of `there is' to say that something exists or happens. For example, you can say `you have no alternative' instead of `there is no alternative', or `he had a good view from his window' instead of `there was a good view from his window'.
no passive
He had two tenants living with him... V n
We haven't any shops on the island... V n
4 verb If you have something such as a part of your body in a particular position or state, it is in that position or state.
no passive
Mary had her eyes closed... V n adj/adv/prep
As I was working, I had the radio on... V n adj/adv/prep
He had his hand on Maria's shoulder. V n adj/adv/prep
5 verb If you have something done, someone does it for you or you arrange for it to be done.
no passive
I had your rooms cleaned and aired... V n -ed
You've had your hair cut, it looks great... V n -ed
6 verb If someone has something unpleasant happen to them, it happens to them.
no passive
We had our money stolen... V n -ed
The dance hall once even had its roof blown off in World War II. V n -ed
7 verb If you have someone do something, you persuade, cause, or order them to do it.
no passive
The bridge is not as impressive as some guides would have you believe... V n inf
Mr Gower had had us all working so hard. V n -ing
8 verb If someone has you by a part of your body, they are holding you there and they are trying to hurt you or force you to go somewhere.
no passive
When the police came, Larry had him by the ear and was beating his head against the pavement. V n by n
9 verb If you have something from someone, they give it to you.
no passive
You can have my ticket... V n
I had comments from people in all age groups. V n
10 verb If you have an illness or disability, you suffer from it.
no passive
I had a headache... V n
He might be having a heart attack... V n
11 verb If a woman has a baby, she gives birth to it. If she is having a baby, she is pregnant.
no passive
My wife has just had a baby boy... V n
12 verb You can use have in expressions such as `I won't have it' or `I'm not having that', to mean that you will not allow or put up with something.
with neg
I'm not having any of that nonsense... V n
I will not have the likes of you dragging down my reputation. V n -ing
13 You can use has it in expressions such as `rumour has it that' or `as legend has it' when you are quoting something that you have heard, but you do not necessarily think it is true.
♦
rumour/legend/tradition etc has it phrase V inflects, oft PHR that (vagueness)
Rumour has it that tickets were being sold for £300...
14 If someone has it in for you, they do not like you and they want to make life difficult for you.
INFORMAL
♦
to have it in for sb phrase V inflects, PHR n
He's always had it in for the Dawkins family.
15 If you have it in you, you have abilities and skills which you do not usually use and which only show themselves in a difficult situation.
♦
to have it in you phrase V inflects, PHR pron, oft PHR pron to-inf
`You were brilliant!' he said. `I didn't know you had it in you.'
16 To have it offwith someone or have it awaywith someone means to have sex with them.
(BRIT)
INFORMAL, RUDE
♦
to have it off/away phrase V inflects, PHR with n, pl-n V
17 If you are having someone on, you are pretending that something is true when it is not true, for example as a joke or in order to tease them.
(BRIT)
INFORMAL
♦
be having sb on phrase be inflects
Malone's eyes widened. `You're having me on, Liam.'
18 If you have it out or have things outwith someone, you discuss a problem or disagreement very openly with them, even if it means having an argument, because you think this is the best way to solve the problem.
♦
to have it out phrase V inflects, oft PHR with n
Why not have it out with your critic, discuss the whole thing face to face?
19
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to be had
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had
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to have had it
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had