have

If you use this before to and a verb, the action is necessary.

• I have to go.
• She had to work yesterday.
• Do we have to wear these shoes?

How to use it: have to + verb (We have to leave now.); do/does someone have to + verb? (Do I have to bring my own lunch?); do not have to + verb (You do not have to pay today.)

Similar words: need to, must

Common phrases: have to go, have to work, have to pay

To own something that belongs to you.

• I have a bike.
• Does your family have a car?
• They had a small house by the sea.

How to use it: have + object (They have a small house.); do/does someone have + object? (Does she have a bicycle?)

Similar words: own, possess

Common phrases: have a car, have a house, have your own car

To eat, drink, or take part in an activity.

• We have lunch at noon.
• Would you like to have a coffee?
• We had a long chat after dinner.

Similar words: eat, drink, take part in

Common phrases: have lunch, have a drink, have a chat

To hold something in your hands.

• I have a pen in my hand.
• She had the rope firmly in both hands.
• Do you have the spoon, or is it still on the table?

How to use it: have something in your hand (She had a pencil in her hand.)

Similar words: hold, grip

Common phrases: have a spoon, have a pen, have something firmly

To hold an idea, thought, doubt, or feeling in your mind.

• I have an idea.
• Do you have any thoughts about this?
• She had doubts about his story.

How to use it: have a feeling that + clause (I have a feeling that she knows.); have doubts about someone/something (We have doubts about the plan.)

Common phrases: have an idea, have doubts, have a feeling

To experience an illness, problem, or other condition.

• I have a cold.
• She had a headache yesterday.
• Do you have trouble sleeping?

How to use it: have trouble/difficulty + verb-ing (I have trouble sleeping.); have a problem with something (She has a problem with her knee.)

Similar words: experience, suffer from

Common phrases: have a cold, have a headache, have trouble

A trick or dishonest offer that makes someone lose money or believe something false.

• That deal is a have.
• The cheap holiday turned out to be a complete have.
• Was the offer a bargain or just a have?

Similar words: scam, con, trick

Common phrases: a complete have, a total have