Has vs. Have: What’s the Difference?

Use of Has/Have: English grammar can often be tricky, especially regarding verb usage.  We frequently use the two most common forms of verbs in everyday communication: has and have. They may seem similar, but their use is entirely different.  

If you have any confusion about when to use has and have, this blog will help clarify everything you need to know about has vs. have, including examples, rules, and the difference between have and has so that you can communicate confidently without worrying about making mistakes. 

Read More: Types of Sentences with Examples

What Do "Has" and "Have" Mean?

The verbs 'has and 'have' express ideas in the present perfect tense with singular and plural subjects, respectively. They are also used in the context of showing possession or relationships. Here are some examples:

• I have a bike. (possession)

• She has two brothers. (relationship)

• They have won the final match. (auxiliary verb in present perfect tense)

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The Key Difference Between Has and Have

The main difference between have and has is how to use them according to the sentence's subject.

Use ‘has’ with:

• He, She, It (third-person singular)

• Any singular noun (name, friend, family, company, etc.)

Examples:

• She has a red dress.

• The cat has blue eyes.

• Mr. Roy has purchased a new car.

• The team has arrived at the venue.

Use ‘have’ with:

• I, We (first-person singular and plural)

• You (second-person singular and plural)

• They (third-person plural)

• Any plural noun (students, players, vehicles)

Examples:

• I have an appointment at 10 am.

• You have two options.

• They have finished the project on time.

• The players have practised hard.

Read More: Idioms and Phrases in English - Definition, Examples

When to Use Has and Have?

The table below shows when to use has and have based on the subject.

Read More: Subject and Predicate - Definition With Examples

Common Learner Questions on "Has" vs "Have"

Here are some common questions that students generally ask regarding the uses of ‘has’ and ‘have’.

He 'has' or 'have'?

Correct form: He has

For example, he has a car.

Reason: "He" is a third-person singular subject, so has is used.

She 'has' or 'have'?

Correct form: She has

For example, she has a nice collection of earrings.

Reason: "She" is third-person singular, so has is used.

Is ‘has’ singular or plural?

Has is singular.

It is used with third-person singular subjects like he, she, it, or singular and collective nouns.

For example:

• The company has introduced a new policy.

• My aunt has opened a boutique.

• Pankaj Tripathi has received the award for best supporting actor.

Please note that with singular first-person subjects like "I" and "you.", we use ‘have’. 

Negative Sentences with Has and Have

In negative sentences with don't or doesn't, we use 'have' but not 'has.'

For example,

• He doesn't have the documents with him.

• I don't have time to meet more visitors.

• She doesn't have any siblings.

So, 'have' is always used after do/does.

Read More: What is Prefix and Suffix

Questions Using “Has and Have”

When asking questions, the sentence starts with "has" or "have" as the subject.

For example,

• Has he submitted the report?

• Has she arrived yet?

• Have you seen the movie?

In such questions, the verb has or has matches with the subject as per the rules mentioned earlier.

Use of “Has and Have” to Indicate the Possibility

Sometimes, has and have combined with other verbs to indicate something that should be done.

For example,

• You have to follow the instructions.

• The trash has to be removed immediately.

Read More: Sentence Structure

Has vs. Have Examples

Plenty of examples demonstrate has vs. have use in different contexts. The examples of sentences featuring each of these verbs will guide you in understanding the difference between has and have.

Has

• My uncle has two pet dogs.

• Riya's family has shifted to Bengaluru.

• He has visited our place several times.

Have

• The kids have given a wonderful performance on the annual day.

• I have several meetings on Friday.

• They have completed the project ahead of schedule.

Has and have

• My friend has a car, but I only have a bike.

• I have arranged the items, and she has decorated the room.

• He has many choices, but you have one.

The proper uses of has and have are extremely important for clear and correct communication in English without any grammatical errors. Understanding when to use has and have, especially in contexts like possession, helping verbs, and negative sentences, enhances your English grammar skills and helps you speak and write more confidently.

Read More: Material Noun

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