Have or Has: Choosing the Right Verb Form

The rule

Have and has describe possession, relationships, and everyday activities. The verb form depends on who or what performs the action.

Example 1 of 3

Say it like this

I have two extra water bottles in my bag.

Use have with the first-person subject I.

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Example 2 of 3

Say it like this

Marcus has the picnic blanket in his car.

Use has with a singular third-person noun subject.

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Example 3 of 3

Say it like this

They don't have enough paper plates for lunch.

Use don't have with the plural subject they, keeping have in its base form.

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Good to know

Remember that have got is common in British English for possessions, but it uses its own question and negative patterns and cannot replace have in daily routines like…

Quick check

Answer in your head. Answers next.

1. 1. Which pronoun pairs correctly with has in a positive statement?
   • A He
   • B You
   • C We

Answers

1. 1. HeHe takes has in positive present statements, whereas you and we take have.