Correct Use of 'Have' and 'Has' in English Grammar

When discussing possession or the present tense of the verb to have, distinguishing between 'have' and 'has' is crucial for accurate English grammar. Understanding the correct usage can help improve your communication and ensure that your sentences are clear and grammatically correct.

Present Tense of 'To Have'

The present tense of the verb 'to have' in English is structured as follows:

First and Second Person Singular

I have You have

Third Person Singular

He/She/It has

First and Second Person Plural, and Third Person Plural

We have You have They have

The key distinction is that 'has' is used exclusively with the third-person singular ('he', 'she', or 'it'). For all other subjects (first person singular, second person singular or plural, and third person plural), the correct form is 'have'. This rule applies regardless of the context or the possession being discussed.

Examples of Usage

Here are some examples to help illustrate the correct use of 'have' and 'has':

First and Second Person Singular:

I have a car. You have a book.

Third Person Singular:

He has a bike. She has a phone. It has wings.

First and Second Person Plural, and Third Person Plural:

They have a plan. We have a meeting. You have a test. They have a new car.

It is important to note that the words 'has' and 'have' belong to the same verb. They differ only in their matching with third-person singular subjects ('he', 'she', 'it') and other subjects. In terms of meaning, both 'has' and 'have' refer to possession and obligation in the same way. Let's explore some additional examples to help solidify your understanding:

Examples with Possession and Obligation:

I have a book. You have a book. She has a book. They have a book. This is in the present tense, indicating current possession. I had a book. You had a book. She had a book. They had a book. This is in the past tense, indicating a completed action or past state. I have to buy a ticket. You have to buy a ticket. She has to buy a ticket. They have to buy tickets. This indicates a necessity or obligation. I have three ways of cooking eggs. You have three ways of cooking eggs. She has three ways of cooking eggs. They have three ways of cooking eggs. This illustrates the use of 'have' with a plural countable noun. I have finished reading my book. You have finished reading your book. She has finished reading her book. They have finished reading their books. This indicates a completed action. I will have finished reading it tomorrow. You will have finished reading it tomorrow. She will have finished reading it tomorrow. They will have finished reading it tomorrow. This is in the future perfect tense, indicating a future action that will be completed by a specific time in the future. I have trouble finishing on time. You have trouble finishing on time. She has trouble finishing on time. They have trouble finishing on time. This refers to an ongoing difficulty or challenge.

Conclusion

To summarize, the correct usage of 'have' and 'has' in English grammar primarily hinges on the subject of the sentence. 'Has' is used for the third-person singular ('he', 'she', 'it'), while 'have' is used for all other subjects. Both verbs convey possession and obligation, and their choice depends on the subject's form. By understanding and applying these rules, you can improve your English language skills and ensure effective communication.