1.16 Have




We can use have as an auxiliary verb and as a main verb. When main verb have is in the present simple or past simple, we normally use do, does and did to make questions and negatives. Examples of have as a main verb:



Nick has two sisters. Does he have any brothers?
(En Nick té dues germanes. Té germans?)
Your mother is having a shower.
(La teva mare es dutxa.)
Today I have to leave early, but I don't have to leave before 6.
(Avui haig de plegar d'hora, però no me n'haig d'anar abans de les 6.)


When have means possess, there is often an alternative construction with have got, e.g.:



A: Do they have (or Have they got) a big flat? (Tenen un pis gran?)
 B: Yes, they have (or they've got) a very big flat. (Sí, tenen un pis molt gran.)


This is also possible when have expresses obligation, e.g.:



A: Does she have (or Has she got) to go? (Se n'ha danar?)
 B: Yes, she has (or she's got) to go now. (Sí, se n'ha d'anar ara.)



See also Main Verb and Auxiliary Verb; for have (got) to, see Modals, obligation; for have something done, see Causative.