Have a baby means to give birth. In the form be having a baby, it means to be expecting a baby: She's having a baby in May means the baby is due in May. She has a baby means the baby is already here.
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have a baby (= give birth); be having a baby (= be expecting); have a baby boy/girl
- My colleague had a baby girl in May and is now on maternity leave.
- They're having a baby in the autumn, so they're looking for a bigger flat.
- When my cousin had a baby, the whole family came to the hospital with flowers.
What changed
First versionMy sister born a baby last month.
RevisionMy sister had a baby last month.
Born seems like the obvious word for giving birth, but it's a form of the verb bear, and in everyday English it lives in the phrase be born: The baby was born in May. To say that a woman gave birth, use had a baby.
Give birth means the same, but it sounds more formal and usually describes the birth itself: She gave birth in hospital at 3 a.m. When sharing news about friends, people usually say have a baby: Guess what, they've had a baby!
Your turn
My sister is seven months pregnant — she ___ a baby in March.
Show the answer
is having — The sister is pregnant and the baby is due in March: it's an expected event, so we need is having. Has a baby would mean she already has a child.
Write a short message to a colleague about friends who are expecting a baby. Say when the baby is due.
Did you hear? Anna and Mark are having a baby in December!
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