The functions of the verb ‘to have’

The verb ‘to have’ can perform the following functions in the sentence:

1. that of a notional verb:

They have three cars. Have you got any brothers or sisters?

2. that of an auxiliary verb (to form perfect tenses in the active and passive voice):

I have lost my key. I realised that I had met him before.

3. that of a modal verb (it expresses obligation):

You have to finish the translation. I had to work last Saturday.

4. Had better + Infinitive without to (in the meaning of It would be better)

is used to give strong advice, or to tell people what to do (including ourselves):

You’d better turn this music down before your Dad gets angry.

It’s seven o’clock. I’d better put the meat in the oven.

5. ‘Have’ + object is often used to talk about actions and experiences:

to have breakfast / tea / coffee / a drink;

to have a bath / a shave / a shower;

to have a rest / a sleep / a dream;

to have a good time / a bad day / a holiday / a day off;

to have good journey / flight / trip;

to have a talk / a chat / a word with smb / a conversation / a row / a quarrel / a fight;

to have a swim / a walk / a ride / a dance / a game of tennis;

to have a look

to have difficulty / trouble (in the meaning of “encounter” – неожиданно встретиться с ч-л)

6. ‘Have’ can be followed by object + infinitive (without to) and object + past participle.

a) ‘Have’ + object + infinitive can mean ‘cause somebody to do something’. This is mostly used in American English, to talk about giving instructions or orders.

I’m ready to see Mr Smith. Have him come in, please.

The manager had everybody fill out a form.

b) ‘Have’ + object + past participle (=have something done) can mean ‘cause something to be done by somebody else’. The past participle has a passive meaning.

I must have my watch repaired. (= I want my watch to be repaired.)

I’m going to have my hair cut this afternoon.

If you don’t get out of my house I’ll have you arrested.

Exercises

Exercise 1. Use «to be» or «to have» in the Present Indefinite Tense.

1. You ... welcome. 2. The metro station ... far from my house. 3. Mary and Nelly ... friends. 4. She ... out. 5. It ... 5 o’clock now. 6. She ... a nice flat. 7. We ... a little child. She ... four. 8. They ... a big car. It ... red. 9. How ... you? 10. How old ... Mary? 11. How many children ... they? 12. What country ... she from? 13. We ... well. 14. They... a small cottage. It... far away. 15. She ... at home. 16. She ... no time. 17. He ... bad habits. 18. How far ... it from here? 19. It ... easy to ask him about it. 20. It ... not good of her to say so. 21. She ... two mistakes in the test. Her mistakes ... bad. 22. They ... glad to see her. 23. It... a rainy day ... he an umbrella with him?

Exercise 2. Make the following sentences interrogative and negative.

1. Her name is Lucy. 2. Ted is nine. 3. Her face is round. 4. He is nice. 5. It is a good film. 6. My flat is fine. 7. I am happy. 8. They are clever, 9. His cat is black. 10. We are at school. 11. You are pale. 12. Her baby is in bed. 13. It is a nice day. 14. They are late. 15. She has a white dress. 16. They have a four-year-old son. 17. You have a big car. 18. We have many English books. 19. He has many uncles and aunts. 20. The house has five floors. 21. She is from Russia. 22. Her name is Nelly. 23. It is time to go to bed. 24. You’re a first-year student. 25. It’s cold today. 26. We are glad to see them.

Exercise 3. Finish the following sentences.

1. It is .... 2. She is ... . 3. We are ... . 4. They have ... . 5. I am ... .6. Why is she ... ? 7. Why am I... ? 8. Her bag is … .9. We have....10. You have....11. Has he...? 12. Is he ...? 13. Are they...? 14. Is her flat...? 15. Are the children...? 16. Have they ... ? 17. Is it time ... ?

Exercise 4. Express surprise using the models:

Models: She is thirty. —Is she?

He hasn’t any pictures. — Hasn’t he?

I’m a student. — Are you?

1. She is in her last year at the University. 2. Bill is the best football player in our school. 3. Tom has a new bicycle. 4. I have a new hat. 5. Jane isn’t at school today. 6. It’s ten o’clock. 7. They are my good friends. 8. I haven’t any camera. 9. I am absent-minded. 10. She has a good job. 11. We are married. 12. Maria is never late.

Exercise 5. Change the sentences according to the model.

A. Model: She is from Canada, — Is she from Canada or the USA?

1. Jim is ill. 2. Her name is Mary. 3. Their baby is nice. 4. It is a fine plan. 5. Jack is late again. 6. It is his book. 7. Her son is twelve. 8. She has English books. 9. They have a nice flat.10. It is a fine day. 11. She is not happy. 12. They are not at home. 13. She has no children. 14. We have no cat. 15. It is a good idea. 16. It is not warm today.

B. Model: Why is he sad? — I wonder why he is sad.

1. Why is Kate late? 2. Why is he pale? 3. Why is the day so long? 4. Why is his idea bad? 5. Why is their child ill? 6. Why is her dress dirty? 7. Why aren’t they at school? 8. Why am I so angry? 9. Why aren’t we happy?

Exercise 6. Make these sentences negative and interrogative.

1. Some families have a pet cat. 2. Alligators have long jaws and sharp teeth. 3. On her birthday she always has a birthday cake. 4. The house has tall trees all around it. 5. Each family has its own flat. 6. Most butterflies have wings of many beautiful colours. 7. Many dolls have names. 8. I have as much sugar as I need. 9. I have a gift for Mother. 10. Lucy has red hair. 11. We have much to do today. 12. John had a nice photo. 13. My friend has got only one dog. 14. Yes, I have my dress ironed. 15. Yes, we have parties from time to time. 16. I think, they have a very pleasant time on the seashore every year. 17. I have my video repaired. 18. They have got that beautiful picture, painted by that famous artist. 19. He has a bath every day. 20. I think, she has to do it. 21. I’ve got a headache. 22. I haven’t got any keys. 23. My sister has got a car. 24. The flat hasn’t got a proper bathroom.

Exercise 7. Ask questions using have/has got.

1. your mother/a car — Has your mother got a car? 2. she/a sister ….. 3. your parents/a nice house ….. 4. you/a family ….. 5. Mrs Hawkins/any children ….. 6. you/a TV …..

Exercise 8. Change the sentences according to the model.

Model: Is he twenty? — I wonder if he is twenty.

1. Is she happy? 2. Is he sleepy? 3. Are you worried? 4. Is Tim sick? 5. Is it time to go to school? 6. Is it easy to translate this text? 7. Is the doctor in? 8. Are they out? 9. Is Ann well? 10. Has she any sons? 11. Have they many friends? 12. Have you a summer cottage? 13. Has he a fast car? 14. Has this child a cat? 15. Is it important to see them immediately? 16. Are they well? 17. Is she beautiful? 18. Is it five o’clock? 19. Are they busy? 20. Is the winter cold in Moscow? 21. Is it cold today? 22. Have you an umbrella with you?

Exercise 9. Say if the verb «to have» is:

a) notional, b) auxiliary, c) modal, d) part of a set phrase.

1. It has been a hard day. 2. Jane has got a good voice. 3. We haven’t had our dinner yet. 4. You don’t have to worry. 5. We have no time left. 6. My father has a farm in the North of Scotland. 7. She had ten minutes before she had to leave for work. 8. I hope you had a good time yesterday. 9. Does this bus go to the centre? — No, it doesn’t. You’ll have to change for No 5. 10. I’ve never been to Athens and I’ve never been to Rome. 11. I have to work tomorrow. 12. Have they a car? —-No, they haven’t bought one yet. 13. I don’t mind having a holiday for a change. 14. Let’s have a break. 15. It has been raining since morning. 16. I didn’t have enough money to buy the coat.