Have got and have

You can use have got or have (without got). There is no difference in meaning:

• They've got a new car.   or They have a new car.


• Lisa's got two brothers,   or Lisa has two brothers.


• I've got a headache,   or I have a headache.


• Our house has got a small garden,   or Our house has a small garden.


• He's got a few problems,   or   He has a few problems.

With these meanings (possession etc.), you cannot use continuous forms (am having etc.):

• We're enjoying our holiday. We've got / We have a nice room in the hotel, (not We're having)

For the past we use had (without got):

• Lisa had long hair when she was a child, (not Lisa had got)

In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:

Have you got any questions?	I haven't got any questions.
Do you have any questions?	I don't have any questions.
Have you any questions? (less usual)	I haven't any questions, (less usual)
Has she got a car?	She hasn't got a car.
Does she have a car?	She doesn't have a car.
Has she a car? (less usual)	She hasn't a car. (less usual)

In past questions and negative sentences, we use did/didn't:

• Did you have a car when you were living in London?


• I didn't have a watch, so 1 didn't know the time.


• Lisa had long hair, didn't she?

Have breakfast / have a bath / have a good time
We also use have (but not have got) for many actions and experiences.

• have breakfast / dinner / a cup of coffee / something to eat etc.


• have a bath / a shower / a swim / a break / a rest / a party / a holiday


• have an accident / an experience / a dream


• have a look (at something)


• have a chat / a conversation / a discussion (with somebody)


• have difficulty / trouble / fun / a good time


• have a baby (= give birth to a baby)

Have got is not possible in the expressions

• Sometimes I have (= eat) a sandwich for my lunch, (not I've got)
  but I've got / I have some sandwiches. Would you like one?

You can use continuous forms (am having etc.) with the expressions:

• We're enjoying our holiday. We're having a great time, (not We have)


• Mike is having a shower at the moment. He has a shower every day.

In questions and negative sentences we use do/does/did:

• I don't usually have a big breakfast, (not I usually haven't)


• What time does Jenny have lunch? (not has Jenny lunch)


• Did you have difficulty finding a place to live?