Have got means the same as have, to own or possess, but it sounds more conversational and only exists in the present tense. You hear it more in British English. Have works everywhere: in any tense and for actions like have lunch or have a shower, where have got is impossible.
have or have got — can you pick the right one?
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have got / has got + noun: things, family, illness, time; I've got, she's got; Have you got…? — Yes, I have; have + noun for actions: have lunch, have a shower, have a good time; past: had
- I've got two older brothers, and both of them live abroad.
- Have you got a minute? I need help with this spreadsheet.
- We usually have lunch together in the office kitchen at one.
What changed
First versionI've got a shower every morning before work.
RevisionI have a shower every morning before work.
Have got only describes possession: things, relatives, an illness, free time. Taking a shower is an action, not something you own, so only have works here. I've got a shower sounds as if a new shower cubicle appears in your flat every morning. The mistake happens when have got is learnt as a full replacement for have.
In the past tense got disappears: I had a bike as a child, not I had got a bike. Questions are formed differently: Have you got a pen? and Do you have a pen? In American English the second is more usual, while in British English both are common.
Your turn
When I was a child, I ___ a dog called Max.
Show the answer
had — This is about childhood, that is, the past, and have got in the sense of own or possess exists only in the present. Had got is the past perfect of get, meaning had received, and nobody uses it to talk about a childhood dog.
Write about your family. Say how many brothers or sisters you have and name one thing you do together.
I've got one younger sister, and we have dinner together every Sunday.
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