• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home of English Grammar
  • Home
  • Course
  • Exercises
  • Grammar Rules
  • Matches
  • Posts
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Vocabulary Lists
  • Archives
    • Social Media Posts
    • Writing Guides
  • Join free

Have as an ordinary verb and an auxiliary verb

March 21, 2016 pdf

Have can be used as a main verb. In this case it indicates ideas such as possession.

  • I have a Mercedes car.
  • She has a good job.
  • He has two daughters.
  • They have an apartment in the city.
  • She has several friends.

Have can also be used as an auxiliary verb. As an auxiliary, have helps other verbs to form the present and past perfect tense forms.

Have has three forms. The forms have and has are used in the present tense. The form had is used in the past tense.

  • I have seen this.
  • She has gone to the market.
  • They have left.
  • I have forgotten your name.
  • I had sent the parcel yesterday.
  • She said that she had taken the money.

Have can be followed by a to-infinitive. This structure expresses ideas such as compulsion and obligation.

  • I have to be there by 8 o’clock.
  • He had to pay the money back.
  • You have to face the consequences of your action.

Have + had

Sometimes the auxiliary verb have combines with the past participle form of the finite verb have.
Examples are given below.

  • I have had my breakfast. (= I have eaten my breakfast.)
  • She has had a wash. (= She has taken a wash.)
  • We have had enough of this. (= We have experienced enough of this.)

Primary Sidebar

2.4M761.4K165.8K

Free 2026 Grammar Guide

  • Download Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Online grammar course, A1 to C2
  • Weekly exercises and vocabulary
  • Join over 3 million English learners

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Already have an account? Sign in

Grammar Checker - Try Now

Latest Posts

  • Crash blossoms: when headlines suggest the wrong meaning October 16, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Remind” October 16, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Unkind” October 16, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Changing” October 16, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Platitude” October 15, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Reluctant” October 15, 2026
  • “&c.”: an older abbreviation for “et cetera” October 15, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Causing” October 15, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Relief” October 15, 2026
  • Reported Speech and Reporting Verbs Exercise October 15, 2026
Home of English Grammar

Free English grammar exercises, rules and vocabulary lists, with new exercises every week. Join the leading English grammar site with over 3 million followers.

Join free

Learn

  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Grammar rules
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Writing guides
  • Online tools

More

  • Top social media posts
  • Various posts
  • Contact

Account

  • Join free
  • Grammar Course
  • Free grammar guide (PDF)

Copyright © 2026 EnglishGrammar.org

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap