Have and Have Got for Beginners

Hi, students! 
The differences between 'have' and 'have got' can be confusing for beginners. Here is a guide the two forms.

Remember these important points:

• 'Have' and 'Have got' are used for possession. Example: Jack has got a beautiful house. OR Jack has a beautiful house.
   
  
• Only 'have' is used when talking about actions. Example: I usually have breakfast at 8 o'clock. NOT I usually have got breakfast at 8 o'clock.
   
  
• The question form for 'have' follows regular present simple: Example: Do you have a fast car? NOT Have you a fast car?
   
  
• 'Have' and 'Have got' are only used in the present simple. Use 'have' for the past simple or future forms. Example: She had a copy of that book.
   
  
• There is no contracted form for 'Have' in the positive form. The contracted form is used for 'have got' Example: I have a red bicycle. OR I've got a red bicycle. NOT I've a red bicycle.

Here is a grammar chart showing the construction of the two forms:

Positive I, You, We, They HAVE GOT

Subject + have + got + objects
They have got a new car.  Contracted:  They've got a new car.

Positive He, She, It HAVE GOT

Subject + has + got + objects
He has got a new car.  Contracted:  He's got a new car.

Positive I, You, We, They HAVE 

Subject + have + objects
They have a new car.  (There is no contracted form)

Positive He, She, It HAVE 

Subject + have + objects
She has a new car.  (There is no contracted form)

Question I, You, We, They HAVE GOT

(?) + have + subject + got?
How many children have you got?  (There is no contracted form)

Question He, She, It HAVE GOT

(?) + has + subject + got?
How many children has he got?  (There is no contracted form)

Question I, You, We, They HAVE 

(?) + do + subject + have?
How many children do you have?  (There is no contracted form)

Question He, She, It HAVE 

(?) + does + subject + have?
How many children does he have?  (There is no contracted form)

Negative I, You, We, They HAVE GOT

Subject + have + not + got + objects
We have not got a dog.  Contraction:  We haven't got a dog.

Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT

Subject + has + not + got + objects
She has not got a dog.  Contraction:  She hasn't got a dog.

Negative I, You, We, They HAVE 

Subject + do + not + have + objects
They do not have a dog. Contraction: They don't have a dog.

Negative He, She, It HAVE GOT

Subject + does + not + have + objects
She does not have a dog.  Contraction:  She doesn't have a dog.
 
Check your understanding with this Have / Have Got Quiz 

Hope you liked it!
See you,
Teacher Jô