Uses of have

The verb have is used in a number of ways in English. It can be used as an auxiliary verb (used in the formation of perfect tenses), as well as an ordinary verb, indicating ideas such as possession of objects, individual characteristics, relationships, etc.

1. Use have as a main verb for possession.
2. Have with this meaning is a stative (non-action) verb and is not used in continuous tenses. Use auxiliaries do / did to make questions and negatives.

2. Use have + object as a main verb for actions, e.g. have a bath, a drink, a chat, etc.
3. Have with this meaning is a dynamic (action) verb and can be used in continuous tenses.

3. Use have as the auxiliary verb to form the present perfect simple and continuous. Make questions by inverting have and the subject, and negatives with haven’t / hasn’t.
4. We also use have for other perfect forms, e.g. the future perfect, the perfect infinitive, etc.

4. Use have to to express obligation, especially obligation imposed by others, and rules and regulations. Have to is a main verb.

5. Use have + object + past participle to say you ask or pay another person to do something for you.
6. Have here is a main verb, not an auxiliary verb, e.g. Where do you have your hair cut?

1. You can use have got for possession. The meaning is exactly the same as have.
2. Have here is an auxiliary verb so make questions by inverting have and the subject and negatives with haven’t / hasn’t.
3. Have got has a present meaning. We use had for the past, NOT had got.
4. Have got is very common in informal spoken and written English.

2. Use have got to to express obligation, especially in informal spoken and written English.
3. Have got to is normally used for a specific obligation rather than a general or repeated obligation. Compare:
4. I’ve got to make a quick phone call (specific) and I have to wear a suit to work (general).

See Permission, obligation, and necessity for more information on have to and have got to.