English Profile

have · auxiliary verb

/hæv/Full view

have

A2 used with the past participle of another verb to form the present and past perfect tenses

Dictionary examples:

Have you seen Jake?

He hasn't visited us yet.

I've met his wife before.

It would have been better to tell the truth.

He's been working in Denver for two years now.

Learner example:

Dear Jo, Sorry I haven't written sooner. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

have · modal verb

/hæv/

have (got) to do sth

A2 to need to do something or be forced to do something

Dictionary examples:

I've got to buy some new shoes.

Do we have to finish this today?

They've had to change their plans.

Learner example:

It is important for me because I have to study for my History test. (Key English Test; A2; Bengali)

have (got) to do sth

A2 used when you are telling someone how to do something

Dictionary examples:

You have to wait for the green light and then record your voice.

You've got to type in your name, then your password.

Learner example:

To get to my house, you have to get the bus [number] 30 to town, [and] there you have to get the bus [number] 15 to Spring Bank. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Portuguese)

have (got) to do/be sth

C2 used to say that you feel certain that something is true or will happen

Dictionary examples:

Interest rates have to come down at some point.

There's got to be a better way of doing this.

Learner example:

There has to be a solution to this. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

have · verb T

/hæv/

have (POSSESS)

A1 to own or possess

Dictionary examples:

They have a big house.

He has blue eyes.

She has a lot of experience.

Do you have time to finish the report today?

I've got two brothers.

He's got a degree in journalism.

Learner example:

I had [a] big house in Somalia, now I hav[e] [a] small house. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Somali)

have (BE ILL)

A1 If you have a particular illness, you suffer from it.

Dictionary examples:

I have a cold.

Have you ever had the measles?

Dad has a headache.

Learner example:

I know you had [the] flu. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

have (EAT/DRINK)

A1 to eat or drink something

Dictionary examples:

I had a turkey sandwich for lunch.

Can I have a drink of water?

Let's have a snack before the movie.

When are we having dinner?

Learner example:

I have dinner [at] 5 pm. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

have (BABY)

A2 to give birth to a baby

Dictionary example:

Elaine had a baby girl yesterday.

Learner example:

And later, we can go [to] Mary's house, because she has had a baby, and I would like to see her. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

have fun/a good time/a problem, etc.

A2 to experience something

Dictionary examples:

Have a nice day!

We had a great time in Montreal.

We had a few problems finding the house.

Did you have any luck finding a present for Annie?

I had a bad dream.

Learner example:

We played a lot of games and had fun. (Key English Test; A2; Singhalese)

have a talk/meeting/appointment, etc.

A2 used with nouns to say that someone does or will do something

Dictionary examples:

We have a committee meeting next week.

Anita is going to have a birthday party!

I have a piano lesson at two o'clock.

Try having a conversation with him.

Learner example:

Last weekend, I had a[n] argument with my parents, and I was angry, so I left my home and [took] a walk outside. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)

have a question/idea/plan, etc.

B1 to think of a question/idea/plan, etc.

Dictionary examples:

Do you have any other ideas?

Mr. Grant, I have a question.

I'm glad you have a plan.

Learner example:

I have a question for you! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

have sth cleaned/repaired, etc.

B1 to pay someone to do something for you

Dictionary examples:

We had our washing machine repaired.

We're having the house painted next month.

Learner example:

My mother is having her car repaired. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

have sth stolen/taken, etc.

B1 If you have something stolen/taken, etc., someone takes something that belongs to you.

Dictionary examples:

She had her car stolen last week.

I had my purse taken.

Learner example:

He told me over the phone that he had arrived in London with his wife, but shortly after the arrival, he had ha[d] his wallet stolen in the underground station. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

have (CAUSE)

B1 to cause something to be in a particular state

Dictionary examples:

He had dinner ready by the time we got home.

We had the tent up within ten minutes.

Learner example:

We had everything ready in case of an emergency or a chaos situation. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

have (HOLD)

B1 used to say that someone is holding something, or that someone or something is with them

Dictionary examples:

He had a pen in his hand.

She had a little boy with her.

Learner example:

Maria had the phone in her hand. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

have no idea

B1 to not know

Dictionary example:

"Where's Tina?" "I have no idea."

Learner example:

I have no idea about how his children are. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

have sb over/to stay, etc.

B2 If you have someone over/to stay, etc., you arrange for someone to visit you in your home.

Dictionary example:

We had David and Amy over for dinner last week.

Learner example:

It happened when I had a friend over for dinner. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

have sb do sth

C2 to ask, arrange for, or pay someone to do something

Dictionary examples:

We need to have someone fix the radiator in the bedroom.

I'll have my secretary call her this afternoon.

Learner example:

I would like to request you, as a manager, to either have someone fix the problem with the microwave or simply replace it. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Ulithian)

not have a clue

B2 to be completely unable to guess, understand, or deal with something

Dictionary example:

I don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Learner example:

I just don't know which clothes to take with me because I don't have a clue about the Scottish weather. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

have nothing to do with sb/sth

B2 to have no connection or influence with someone or something

Dictionary example:

He made his own decision - I had nothing to do with it.

Learner example:

Of course, I tried to explain [to] him that I had nothing to do with the vanishing of the cake but he didn't trust me. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

have nothing to do with sb

B2 If something has nothing to do with you, you have no good reason to know about it or be involved with it.

Dictionary example:

Stop asking questions. This has nothing to do with you.

Learner example:

The party was horrible: the guests were all talking about things that had nothing to do with me. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

have it in for sb

C2 to dislike someone and want to cause problems for them

Dictionary example:

She really has it in for me - I don't know what I did to upset her.

Learner example:

Only then did she reali[z]e that somebody had it in for her. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

have anything/nothing/something against sb/sth

C1 to have a reason not to like someone or something

Dictionary examples:

Ellen doesn't have anything against bowling either, so let's go!

I have nothing against him personally, I just don't think he's the right man for the job.

Learner example:

If you have nothing against taking public transport, I suggest taking a bus. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

have the upper hand

C2 to be in a stronger position than someone else so that you control a situation

Dictionary example:

Government troops are gradually gaining the upper hand over the rebels.

Learner example:

Humans vs. machines - who has the upper hand? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

have on sth or have sth on

B1 If you have clothes or shoes on, you are wearing them.

Dictionary examples:

He's got a red shirt on.

I loved that dress you had on last night.

Learner example:

I looked [over] my shoulder and there was Nora as white as the dress she had on. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)