Have verb falls into the category of ‘to have’ verb among primary auxiliary verbs. Now we will get to know about its uses in the present tense.
Mainly have, has, and had are in the category of ‘to have’ verbs in the English language. Among these verbs ‘has’ and ‘have’ are used in present tense while constructing any sentence. The verbs ‘have’ and ‘has’ are used in the present tense to frame sentences in simple present and present perfect tense.
Let us discuss some important facts about the have verb in the present tense.
Forms of have verb used in the present tense:
There are two ‘have’ verbs that are used in the present tense. Let us discuss it.
‘Have’ and ‘has’ are the ‘have’ verbs that are needed to frame sentences in the present tense in English Grammar. These verbs help to construct sentences in the present tense.
How have verbs are used in the present tense?
Have verbs are used as a main verb and as a helping verb that follows. Now let us explore the way of using have verbs.
When we use the ‘have’ verb as a principal verb, it is used after the subject. Its form depends on the number and person of the subject with which we construct a sentence. If we make any sentence in the present perfect tense the ‘have’ verb is used before the past participle form of the main verb.
Ex- The poor man has only a cotton shawl to wear in winter.
Explanation- In this sentence the have verb ‘has’ is used to express the possession or ownership of the poor man. It is used as a principal verb and frames an example of simple present tense.
Ex- The principal has delivered an outstanding speech on the importance of planting trees.
Explanation- In this example the ‘have’ verb ‘has’ is used as a helping verb to frame the present perfect tense.
When have verbs are used in present tense?
Now we will explore when ‘have’ verbs are used in the present tense.
Have verbs are the parts of ‘to have’ verbs that belong to the primary auxiliary verbs. We use these verbs to frame any sentence in the present tense. We can use these verbs to make sentences in the simple present tense and present perfect tense.
Ex– I have a blue shirt.
Explanation- In this example, we see the use of a ‘have’ verb. The word ‘have’ expresses possession and makes a simple present tense example.
Ex– My brother has achieved several awards in sports competitions.
Explanation- In this sentence, the verb ‘has’ is used as a helping verb. It has assisted the main verb ‘achieved’ to emphasize it and forms an example of the present perfect tense.
Why have verbs are used in present tense?
We can use have verbs for the following reasons.
We use ‘have’ in the present tense because it shows the possession or ownership of the person, place, or thing. We can use them again to construct any sentence in the present perfect tense.
Ex- We have solved the sums very easily.
Explanation- In this sentence ‘have’ is used to frame a sentence to describe an action that has been completed recently but its meaning remains intact.
Ex- They have a beautiful flower garden.
Explanation- Here the verb ‘have’ is used as a main verb indicating the possession or ownership.
Formula and structure of have verbs used in present tense:
Have verbs are used in the present tense with the formula that is briefly described below.
In the present indefinite tense and present perfect tense ‘have’ verbs are used likewise.
| Formula | Example | Explanation |
| (a)Subject +has/have+ object+ rest of the sentence (rules for framing affirmative sentence) | He has a large family to maintain with his little income. | Here the ‘have’ verb is ‘has’. We get the idea of possession through it. It helps to frame a sentence in the simple present tense. |
| (b)Subject+ has/have +no+ object+ rest of the sentence (rules of framing negative sentence) | Robin has no friends here. | Here the ‘have’ verb ‘has’ is used following the word ‘not’ to make a negative sentence in the present tense. |
| (c)Has/have +subject+ no+ object +rest of the sentence (rules of framing in interrogative sentence) | Has he no book with him? | This sentence deals with a ‘have’ verb i.e. ‘has’. It is used to make an interrogative sentence. It expresses the meaning of possession. |
| (d)Subject+ has/have+ past participle form of the main verb +object+ rest of the sentence. (rules of framing affirmative sentence in present perfect tense) | You have taken tea. | Here we find the word ‘have’ that is used as a helping verb. It helps to create a present perfect tense. |
Examples of have verbs used in present tense:
Let us follow the sentences where ‘have’ verbs are used in the present tense:
- My sister has lost the key in the garden.
- We have already seen this movie recently.
- Alok has studied two foreign languages.
- Have you helped poor people?
- Ram and Rohim have known each other.
- She has learned to speak English.
- They have studied a lot.
- My father has not eaten any food.
- I have never gone to school by car.
- Have you no wristwatch?
- My friends have gone to the playground to play cricket.
The above examples show the usages of the ‘have’ verbs in the present tense. These ‘have’ verbs are used both as principal verbs and as helping verbs to make simple present tense and present perfect tense.
Conclusion
Through the article, we will get to know the right usages of ‘have’ verbs in the present tense. This will surely help us to learn the ‘have’ verb very well.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.