Representing being and having

Using have and other possession verbs

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Using have for possession

Have is the most common way of saying that someone possesses a thing or a quality:

Did you have any favourite toys you used to play with as a kid?
(Bank of English)

He has a lively personality and loves attending parties and social occasions. (Bank of English)

This central meaning of possession is often extended to cover relationships:

My husband has five brothers and five sisters. (Bank of English)

and illnesses:

Introduction
Using have for possession
Using have got for possession
Using have to describe things
 Using have for actions
 Using own
 Using possess
 Using lack
 Verbs representing part-whole relationships