Representing being and having
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Overview | page 2 of 4 |
Using have and other possession verbs
Have is the most common way of saying that someone possesses something:
She couldn't keep the bird herself, though, as she has two cats, so she rang her vet and he agreed to take it. He has a cage where such casualties can recuperate and he seemed to think that it would survive. (Bank of English)
In British English especially, have got is frequently used in informal situations as an alternative to have:
If you haven't got a card you should ask your newsagent for one.
(Bank of English)
Have is also used quite commonly to describe a thing, especially a place or building:
The house has only five rooms, including the kitchen. (Bank of English)
The verb own is used to talk about things that are someone's property:
Lyman owns a beautiful Italian-cut three-piece suit. (Bank of English)
Possess is often used to talk about someone's qualities and abilities:
Infants possess the ability to translate between their own sensory perceptions. (Bank of English)
A variety of verbs are used to refer to part-whole relationships, where something is divided into its various components:
Apart from the chairman, the management consisted of an accountant, an engineer and a storeman. (Bank of English)
For further information, see 
Representing being and having:
Using have and other possession verbs.
Introduction
Using have and other possession verbs
