1. Grammar
  2. A1-A2 grammar
  3. Have got

Have got

Oliver and Alfie both love watching cooking programmes on TV. Just for fun, they are preparing to have their own ‘Master Chef’ competition at home.

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of have got. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, have got correctly.

Transcript

Daisy: I can’t wait to taste your Master Chef dishes! What a crazy idea, though, for you two to have a cooking competition!

Oliver: Well, it’s time to find out who really is the best chef!

Alfie: There can only be one Master Chef.

Oliver and Alfie: And this year’s Master Chef champion is...

Daisy: You two are crazy! Come on, I can’t stay long. I’ve got swimming practice at 7.

Oliver: OK, have you got the shopping list?

Daisy: Me? I haven’t got it, Ollie. It’s your competition, your recipe ... your list!

Oliver: Oh no, I left it in the kitchen. OK, no problem, I can remember it. We need tomatoes, onions, garlic ... oh no! They haven’t got any red chilli peppers. I really need them. It’s going to be a disaster!

Daisy: Don’t panic! I think we’ve got some at home. Hang on ... I’ll check with Mum.

...

Daisy: Hi, Mum!

Mum: Hi, Daisy!

Daisy: Have you got a minute?

Mum: Sure, is everything OK?

Daisy: Yeah, how’re things with you?

Mum: Not bad, I’m a bit tired, but we finish the trek tomorrow then it’s back to Bangkok and ...

Daisy: Listen, Mum, have we got any red chilli peppers at home?

Mum: Ummm ... yeah, I think so. Look in the back of the cupboard, where the tea and coffee are.

Daisy: Great. Thanks, Mum.

Mum: All right, love. Listen, I’ve got an idea for the weekend. How about going to ... oh Daisy ... I’m losing my signal. Let’s speak tomorrow.

Daisy: OK ... bye. Yes, we’ve got some at home.

...

Alfie: Have you got everything you need?

Oliver: Yes, I think so. You?

Alfie: Yep.

Oliver: You haven’t got much in your basket!

Alfie: No, but I’ve got all the inspiration I need ... up here!

Oliver and Alfie: And this year’s Master Chef champion is ...

Have got (have/has + got) is used to talk mainly about possessions or personal attributes.

Give me some examples, please.

Certainly, here you are:

I've got a new computer.
They haven't got any red chilli peppers.
She's got long, brown hair.
He hasn't got many friends.

So the negative is have/has + not + got?

Yes, but don't forget the contraction.

Daisy hasn't got her books yet.
You haven't got 50 p, have you?

Is has got only used for things?

No, it's also used for timetabled events or illnesses.

I've got swimming practice at seven.
Fred's got a terrible cold.

You can use have got for abstract things too.

I've got an idea for the weekend.
I've got all the inspiration I need ... up here!

Can I use have got in the past? For example: I had got a racing bicycle when I was younger.

No, it's only used in the present tense. For the past you use had without got.

I had a racing bicycle.

What about the question form?

You use have/has + subject + got.

Have you got everything you need?
Have we got any red chilli peppers at home?
Have you got a minute?

Hang on a minute, I've heard Do you have … ? a lot too.

Yes, have got is more used in British English and have is more American. The question and negative form is different with have – you need to use the auxiliary do/does.

I have two sisters. (American English)
Do you have change for ten dollars? (American English)
He doesn't have a clue about soccer. (American English)

You will hear British people use have as well as have got.

Anything else I should know?

In British English we use have got more in speaking and have more in writing – it's a little more formal.

OK, I've got it now!

Very clever! Yes, you can also use have got to mean 'understand'.

Worksheets and downloads

Have got - grammar snack262.95 KB
Have got - exercises310.72 KB
Have got - transcript224.25 KB
Have got - answers292.73 KB
Discussion

Have you got any good ideas about how to improve your English grammar? Share your ideas here.

Language level
A1 Elementary
A2 Pre-intermediate
Topics
food
cooking
shopping
grammar
Grammar
have, have got (possession)
Average: 3.4 (25 votes)
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.
Find out more

Comments

Submitted by Ayanali on Mon, 10/07/2024 - 06:43

In my opinion, the best way to learn English is to learn it happily. Firstly, you learn it by watching videos, listening audios or even just interacting with others who can speak English. And then, you practice like doing exercise or speaking with others etc. If you can learn English by a enjoyable way, maybe you can communication to others better and learn English easier than before.

Submitted by Daily Jotting on Fri, 09/20/2024 - 19:44

Every English learner say you should to continue speaking English.My mother language is Japanese.It differ to English . I study grammar 3 time of a week,but still not good . My goal is to become a fluent speaker and join in american college to learn computer science.
dailyjotting.com

Submitted by 22030101@upgto… on Sun, 09/24/2023 - 17:57

I think it's a different way of learning and also enjoyable

Profile picture for user Snr.H

Submitted by Snr.H on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 11:10

A way is that you can listen to english music or read novels

Submitted by Teen@english on Wed, 12/14/2022 - 18:34

I've got an idea about how to improve our English grammar. I'm going to tell you right now. What do we need to improve our English grammar? Have a look at my explanation here. First of all we need more practice to improve our English grammar as we can. We should practice a lot especially in English grammar such as Adverbs, Adverbs of frequency, Adjectives, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Models and Tenses etc. And some other things which are really very importants for everyone are those "grammar properties" so that we can use them appropriate of their suitable contexts .Bye for now.

Thanks& Regards

Submitted by cherry00 on Sat, 07/23/2022 - 13:26

The best way to improve is doing exercises and watching videos but you can also watch films in english or listen english songs. An other way is talking to someone who speak english to practise.

Submitted by Baldbanana on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 12:34

The best way to improve my grammar will be practicing. Watching different videos, doing exercises or just reading something. Also movies can help.

Submitted by GoFrAk69 on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 08:28

GO to a place called PEPE PIZZA it's a great place to learn english and eat well
Profile picture for user FlowerQueen

Submitted by FlowerQueen on Fri, 06/25/2021 - 18:43

Hi! I learn English at school and that's enough for me. Grammar is not too difficult so far for me.

Submitted by liz15 on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 20:12

I think a good way to improve my English grammar is to study with exercises from this web page, do exercises that I invented, read books and articles, watch videos with subtitles.

Submitted by Arivelde on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 18:03

I haven't got a whole list of ideas to improve my inglish, but I think if I keep doing those activities, reding some english books and maybe even watch some movies, my english can improve very well.
Profile picture for user Kostantinus

Submitted by Kostantinus on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 10:23

I have a wonderful idea how to improve my English grammar! Are you ready to know it, my friends? Just keep using this website and your English grammar will be better day by day.

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 00:55

hello! everyday I search new vocabularies and write it on my notebook to improve my english. i think that method really helpful.

Submitted by 11mo on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 09:45

Yes, I have got an idea to improve my English Grammar. My idea is using this English Teen . Also I will read more English books .

Submitted by Line_Sun on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 23:02

I think that better way to improve my engilsh grammar is see movies and practice my speak with friends. .

Submitted by Vuquan on Tue, 08/18/2020 - 08:53

My idea to practise at grammar is watch a lot of film that they speak English.

Submitted by Luna on Wed, 08/12/2020 - 07:49

Yes , l have some idea to improve english grammar l listening music english songs like UK or US Watching the movies or films
Profile picture for user zagrybast

Submitted by zagrybast on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:09

Sorry, I didn’t understand. What’s the difference between “do you have” and “have you got”. When I need to use first and second sentences?
Profile picture for user JoModerator

Submitted by JoModerator on Sat, 08/08/2020 - 07:53

Hi zagrybast,

We use 'have got' to talk about possession, relationships, characteristics and illnesses. 

You can also just use 'have' - they mean the same thing.

'Have got' is more used in British English and 'have' is more American.

In British English we use 'have got' more in speaking and 'have' more in writing – it's a little more formal.

 

I hope that helps.

Jo (LearnEnglish Teens team)

 

Profile picture for user zagrybast

Submitted by zagrybast on Sun, 08/09/2020 - 07:50

Thank you very much

Submitted by TR790 on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 11:48

In my opinion, we can improve our English Grammar by watching English movies, studying, chatting with friends in English and using this website. Thanks
Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 13:53

I didn’t understand this rule:(In British English we use have got more in speaking and have more in writing – it's a little more formal.)...
Profile picture for user Tina - Coordinator

Submitted by Tina - Coordinator on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 11:53

Hi Sherry4869,

We use 'have got' when we speak  - 'I've got a new computer' but if I was to write the same sentence in an email I would write - I have a new computer.

Best wishes,
Tina (LearnEnglish Teens team)

Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Wed, 05/13/2020 - 13:18

Thanks for your answer, Tina (LearnEnglish Teens team).

Submitted by FedericoB8 on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 18:05

yes, I have got many ideas, i think watching movies whith subtitles and reading books may help me to improve my English grammar.

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/01/2021 - 01:03

hi, FedericoB8! great advices. thanks a lot. and, I think listening to podcast and pronouncing tounge twisters would really helping, what do you think?

Submitted by marchese on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 08:44

Yes, I think it would be good for me talk a lot with people who speak fluent English, to read books written in English and one thing I already do is try to translate the songs into italian only by listening to them.

Submitted by Micheleanto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 17:23

Yes, I have. Speak a lot with stranger people who study english too (but not English people). You shuoldn’t be scary because anybody can judge you and you speak applying the grammar rules about verbs and other elements.

Submitted by BttChiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:28

Yes, I have. Some ideas to improve my grammar English are : listening English songs, watching films in English, speaking for 10 minutes in English every day and when we are in holiday (ex. London, Madrid etc.) trying to speak in English.

Submitted by asiasantin on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 15:26

Surely English grammar is improved by studying and learning more and more things, including training in speaking

Submitted by ballerinichiara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:57

I have got some idea that they can improve my english grammar. Maybe I have to do more exercise on my book and I can listen english music.

Submitted by bea_mara on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:48

To improve my grammar, in my opinion it would be very useful to read books in English or to see films or a TV series in the original language with English subtitles

Submitted by Naogiosu7 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:35

I so sorry, but i haven't no idea for improve english gramar. Maybe when i know the english every we'll i will have ideas

Submitted by rrfalletto on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:09

Yes, i have some ideas to improve my English. One of this is watching series tv in English, or reading books in English

Submitted by gattifederica on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 13:03

Yes. I have. Before, I can take an English book and study grammar rules. Then, I can watch movies or TV series with subtitles. I can also listen to English music and search the texts of the songs. I can read the books in English and watch video in English on Youtube.

Submitted by Carolina000 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 12:40

To improve my English grammar I have to read more books in English and maybe even watch movies so that I can think of it.

Submitted by beasam0109 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 11:18

no I haven't got ideas to improve my English, but I think reading books, listening to songs and watching films in the original language can help me

Submitted by JasmineD03 on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 10:53

Yes, for better my english grammar I should read and watch many books and films in english or speak a lot in english so I can improve my pronunciation. But in my opinion the best method is to go to England in order to really speak English with people who are native speakers.

Submitted by Desy on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 18:13

Yes, I have some ideas how to improve my English; for example listening and repeating a lot and doing some comprehension of the texts

Submitted by Ely on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 17:41

for improve my english grammar i read a lot of book in english

Submitted by MatildePace on Wed, 03/18/2020 - 18:09

No I haven't got ideas for improve English grammar. Maybe when I know English well I will have ideas.

Submitted by giorgia_marchetti on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:28

I think that study is the best tinghs to do to improve english grammar.

Submitted by _auro_ on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:40

I have no ideas on how to improve grammar, but to improve vocabulary or conversations I think the only way is to travel.

Submitted by Rohan26 on Wed, 08/07/2019 - 15:57

yes i have got an idea to improve my English grammar,read all the topic and do all the exercises provided by British council.com and practice it.
Profile picture for user empty

Submitted by empty on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 06:25

Have you got any good ideas about how to improve your English grammar? Watching movies in English , doing grammar exercises and using this website of course .

Submitted by thyngoc1985 on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 11:00

Please help me. Rewrite using conditional sentence type 3. Nick can't find the way because he hasn't got a map. 1. If Nick had got a map, he could find the way. 2. If Nick had a map, he could find the way. I am so confused. Which one is correct? And "have got" (he hasn't got a map) is present perfect, isn't it? I'm looking forward to your answers. Thank you.

Submitted by editor_rachael on Sat, 03/09/2019 - 18:53

Hi thyngoc1985,

 

You're right that have got looks like the present perfect. But in this context (possession of something), it's present tense, and means the same as have - you can say Nick hasn't got a map or Nick doesn't have a map and they both mean the same thing.

 

But have got can't be used like this in the past - have a look at the page above. That's why for your example, option 2 is the best way of rewriting it as a conditional sentence.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Rachael
LearnEnglish Teens team

Submitted by Alux on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 00:57

Hi, is HAVE GOT (I’ve got a pen) used for possetion a form of present perfect even if it is used to express present tense? Or is it seen as a totally separate grammartical aspect?
Profile picture for user JoModerator

Submitted by JoModerator on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 16:41

Hi Alux,

Thanks for your post, that's a good question. 'Have got' isn't the present perfect form of 'get'.

We can only use it in the present tense.   'Have got' is mainly used to talk about possessions and characteristics. For example 'I've got long hair'.

If you want to use it in the present perfect tense, you take away 'got'. For example:

'I've never had long hair.'

I hope that helps!

Best wishes,

Jo (LearnEnglish Teens team)

 

English courses near you