The Verb HAVE

The verb HAVE can function as a main verb and as an

auxiliary verb. The forms of the verb HAVE in the simple
present are I/we/you/they have, he/she/it has; the simple
past for all persons – had. The verb HAVE is also used in a
large number of set expressions and in several commonly
used phrases, such as "have got, have to, have got to, had
better, have something done".
HAVE as a main verb
Main meanings of the verb HAVE as a main verb are "own, possess". In these
meanings, the verb HAVE is a stative verb and is not used in the Continuous
tenses.

• He has a large house.

• He has blue eyes and dark hair.
• They have two cats and a dog.

The phrase HAVE GOT is used as a synonym for the verb HAVE in the meaning
"to own, to possess" in the present tense, especially in everyday speech.
Examples: She's got gray eyes. I've got a new computer.
 The ACTION VERB ‘HAVE’
HAVE as a main verb is used in a large number of set expressions in which it may keep or
lose the meaning "own, possess". For example: to have breakfast, have dinner, have a cup
of coffee, have a sandwich, have a good time, have fun, have an opportunity, have a
problem, have difficulty, have a question, have a look, have a walk, have a talk, have a
fight, have an accident, have a bath, have a baby, have a cold, have a headache, have
patience, have influence, have something against someone, have a taste for something.

In a number of set expressions denoting some activity or process, for example, "to have
dinner, have fun, have a walk, have a bath", the verb HAVE can be used in the Continuous
tenses. We cannot use a short form of HAVE with as an action verb

They are having breakfast now. (they’re having breakfast now)

She writes that she is having a good time. (she writes that she’s having a good time)
When I came in, he was ( he’ having) having a talk with the manager.

With the action verb HAVE we cannot use GOT (we have got breakfast)
In negatives and questions in simple tenses, we use a form
of do.
We didn’t have a very good time
We don’t have parties very often
Where do you have lunch?
How often does Vicky have strange dreams?
HAVE as a main verb forms questions and negative sentences in the simple
present and simple past with the help of the auxiliary verb DO.
Does he have a telephone? – Yes, he does.

Do you have a sister? – No, I don't.

Did you have a look at my report?

What do you have in mind?

Note: Some negative sentences with HAVE can be formed with the help of
NO before the noun. Examples: He has no friends. They have no children. I
have no questions. I had no time yesterday.
 HAVE as an auxiliary verb

The verb HAVE is used as an auxiliary verb in the formation of the

perfect tenses and of the perfect continuous tenses.

He has already written the report.

She has been waiting for two hours.

We had finished work by the time he came back.

He will have left before you wake up.

Students sometimes have a problem understanding sentences in which the auxiliary verb
HAVE and the main verb HAVE are used together. You just need to remember that the tense
form for the perfect tenses is have + past participle of the main verb, for example,
"have written, has written, had written, will have written".
And if the main verb in the sentence happens to be HAVE, then the tense forms will be
"have had, has had, had had, will have had". Look at these sentences in which the first HAVE
is an auxiliary verb that helps to form the present perfect tense, and the second HAVE is a
main verb.

He has had a hard life.

She has had a headache for three days.

We haven't had any free time lately.

I've had enough of your criticism!

I've had it!