Exploring the Difference between Has and Have
There is no question that English grammar is important to keep in mind while communicating in any form. It helps us avoid mistakes and improves the content of our message. For example, if we misplace an apostrophe, the reader might not understand what we are trying to say.
In this article,
- Table summarising the difference between Has vs. Have
- The meaning of Have and Has
- Examples for Has and Have
- Has vs Have – Conclusion
The words ‘has’ and ‘have’ tend to be confusing – this article aims to clarify the difference between the two through exploring use cases and examples. English grammar is not as easy as you think. However, regular practice can make you proficient.
Table Summarising the Difference between Have and Has
|
Has |
Have |
|
|
Meaning |
Two different forms of the verb ‘to have’ that primarily mean ‘possession’, or to ‘hold something’ |
|
|
Usage rule |
Primarily used with subject pronouns such as ‘he’ and ‘she’ |
Used with pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘we,’ ‘you’ etc. |
|
Implementation |
Should be used only in the third person |
Can be used in first (I), second (you) or third person (they) |
|
Example |
He has the flu |
I have the flu |
|
Type of Verb |
Generally used as an auxiliary verb |
Used as a lexical verb |
The Difference between Have and Has – Meaning
The two words “have” and “has” are often confused because they sound similar. However, they are two different forms of the verb “ to have”.
“Have” is a verb that means to possess something or to do something. For example, “I have a car.” or “I have a pencil.” “Has” is also a verb that means the subject has done something at some point in their life. For example, “He has been to Paris.”
Regardless, the use of “have” and “has” is rather complex in English grammar. They are both irregular verbs, but they don’t follow the same pattern. One is used to describe possession, while the other is used to describe completion of an action. The confusion that arises in distinguishing the two is exacerbated by the fact that they are derivatives of the verb ‘ to have’.
Examples for Has and Have
Following are examples of the two words highlighting their use case:
- Has – He has been to Paris
- Have – They have been to Paris
Has vs. Have – Conclusion
The English language is quite tricky and it’s very common for people to make grammatical mistakes. Regardless, we hope this article cleared the difference between has and have, as well as its usage.
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