Studying the Have Verb in Detail: Understanding the Verb Have

Studying the ‘to have’ verbs

You are indeed an early English learner if you have opted for learning this topic- Have Verbs. This concept of knowing and identifying the verbs is done at an elementary stage before you know all the knicks and knacks of English Grammar. The ‘have’ verb is an important part of sentence construction and knowing when and how to use it will be beneficial in making grammatically appropriate sentences. Continue reading to know about the ‘have’ verb in detail.

The “To Have” Verbs

Verbs are the doing words or action words which helps us to know what the object or the subject is doing in the sentence. So, let us start from the basics of knowing the verbs. “To Have” is a verb which is considered the second most commonly used verb in English Grammar. In the English language, the to have verbs have many uses.

It can be the part of the main verb, or it can also be the auxiliary verb. Also, the have verbs can change the meaning of the context as and when they are used in any sentence. 

Do You Know When to Use the “To Have” Verb? 

‘To have’ verbs modal, main or auxiliary verb?

In the English Grammar, there are three main uses of the “to have” verbs:

1. First, it is used as the main verb which shows that it has a meaning by itself and this is an acting verb.

2. Second, ‘to have’ verbs can be used as auxiliary verbs. When this verb is used as an auxiliary verb, it does not hold any meaning of its own. This only helps to form complex parts of the sentences. 

3. Another use of the ‘to have’ verbs is when they are used in the modal form.

How to Use the ‘To have’ Verb in Tenses with Different Tones?

The ‘To have’ verb is normally used in the base form in sentences. The main use of ‘to have’ verbs is to use them in imperative sentences. For example: Have a bite of cake, Mady plans to have a picnic this Sunday.

Other than this, the ‘to have’ verb is also used in many other tenses with both affirmative and negative tones. Let us find out how. 

‘To Have’ Verbs in Present Tense

‘To Have’ in the present tense

The present tense of ‘to have’ verbs can be used in the form of the simple present tense in a sentence. There are two ways to write - ‘to have’ and ‘to has’. Presented below is a table having the two tones - affirmative and negative via which the have verbs can be written. 

Some examples are as follows:

• She has a slate board.

• Ellisa and Miranada have a puppy.

• I have a lot of work to do.

• I don’t have stones in my pocket.

• I have a plan for Sunday.

• Tony has a guitar.

‘To Have’ in Past Tense

To have in the past tense

The past tense of ‘to have’ verbs is “had.” Here is a table to show the usage of ‘to have in the past tense with the affirmative and negative tones. 

Examples are as follows: 

• I had a cup of tea this morning. 

• You had a sandwich for lunch.

• Leena and her baby had an appointment at Dr. Ray’s clinic.

• They had a quick nap before the big game.

• She didn’t have a pencil to write. 

How to Teach the Kids ‘Have Verbs’? 

It is mandatory for the kids at the elementary school to learn the have verbs to their core to converse in English well. This is understandable that a kid with a second language in English cannot understand to its fullest, well it is more about practice than knowing by heart.

First the child can be made to understand the ‘to have’ verbs’ forms in a conversational tone. You can engage the kids in funny conversations with ‘to have’. Like - “Did you have the chocolates?” “If you did not have them, then who had them?”

In this way, they can also learn the tenses which are to be used with the have verbs.  Additionally, the kids can be given fun exercises to practise ‘to have’ sentences.

Conclusion

We hope this article will help you teach the verbs, with special focus on the use of the ‘have’ verb, to your children. If you wish to get hold of more such grammar lessons or worksheets, you can head to our website. There you will discover a plethora of English stories, poems, grammar articles, articles on mathematical concepts for kids and much more.