Have: meaning, definitions and examples
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have
[hæv ]
Definitions
action
Possess, own, or hold. To experience or undergo. To eat or drink something. To show a particular quality or characteristic.
Synonyms
experience, hold, own, possess, undergo.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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have |
General use when referring to possession or experiencing something. It is versatile and can be used in many everyday situations.
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possess |
Similar to 'own' but often used in more formal or legal contexts. Can also refer to having a certain quality or trait.
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own |
Specifically refers to possession, often emphasizing legal rights or responsibility. Used when talking about things that legally belong to someone.
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hold |
Commonly used when referring to physically grasping something or keeping something in a particular state or condition.
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experience |
Used when referring to going through an event or feeling. Often implies gaining knowledge or skills from it.
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undergo |
Used when referring to experiencing a process, especially one that involves change, difficulty, or something medical.
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Examples of usage
- I have a car.
- She has a lot of experience in this field.
- Do you have any plans for the weekend?
- The movie has a funny twist at the end.
auxiliary
Used with a past participle to form the perfect, pluperfect, and future perfect tenses, and the conditional mood.
Synonyms
auxiliary, helping verb.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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have |
Use 'have' when expressing possession, experiencing something, or indicating an obligation. It can also function as a main verb.
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auxiliary |
Use 'auxiliary' often in a grammatical context to refer to a verb that helps form different tenses, moods, voices, or aspects of another verb. It is more technical and less commonly used in everyday speech.
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helping verb |
Use 'helping verb' similarly to 'auxiliary', but it is a more common term in everyday language. It helps form complex verb tenses, moods, and voices.
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Examples of usage
- I have finished my homework.
- She has lived in that house for ten years.
auxiliary verb
A verb that helps to form the tenses, moods, voices, etc., of other verbs.
Synonyms
auxiliary verb, helping verb.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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have |
This is generally used to indicate possession or to show that someone experiences something.
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auxiliary verb |
Use this term when referring to a verb that helps form different tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs. In English, 'have' often serves this purpose in perfect tenses.
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Examples of usage
- 'Have' is an auxiliary verb in the sentence 'I have finished my work.'
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Old English 'habban', which meant 'to hold' or 'to possess'.
- It has Germanic roots, sharing similarities with the Dutch word 'hebben' and the German 'haben'.
- The evolution of meaning has expanded from physical possession to more abstract concepts like experiences.
Linguistics
- It functions as a main verb as well as an auxiliary verb in English, helping to form perfect tenses.
- In some dialects, it is often contracted (e.g., ‘I’ve got’) to indicate possession in informal speech.
- The verb can express obligation or necessity when combined with 'to' (e.g., 'have to').
Culture
- In English-speaking cultures, the concept of 'having' often extends beyond possession to feelings of belonging and nostalgia.
- Birthday parties and celebrations frequently revolve around the idea of 'having' fun, linking the word to memorable experiences.
- Various idioms in English incorporate the word, such as 'have a heart,' which encourages kindness and empathy.
Psychology
- The feeling of 'having' can significantly affect one’s self-esteem and sense of identity.
- Research suggests that owning possessions can lead to increased happiness, although experiences may provide longer-lasting contentment.
- The term also reflects societal values: cultures that prioritize community may emphasize having relationships over material goods.
Literature
- The word is frequently used in literature to explore themes of desire and belonging, such as in works discussing the American Dream.
- In Shakespeare's writings, 'have' often conveys power dynamics, as in ‘have and have-not’ scenarios shaping character interactions.
- Many poets use the word to express the transient nature of life, highlighting what it means to truly 'have' moments of joy.