A past possession and a present possession use different patterns.
The idea
Use had for past possession. For present possession, have got is common in British English; have is common in both British and American English. Past questions and negatives commonly use did plus have.
Examples
- I had a red bicycle as a child.
- We had a small garden last year.
- She did not have a ticket yesterday.
- Did they have a map on the trip?
- He has got a new camera now.
- I have got a blue umbrella today.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not use have got for a possession that ended in the past. After did, use have, not had.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. Last winter, I ___ a warm coat. (had / have got)
Show answer or example answer
had
had fits the finished time last winter.
Choose the correct option. ___ you have a key yesterday? (Did / Do)
Show answer or example answer
Did
Did starts a past question, followed by the base form have.
Choose the correct option. She has got a cat now, but she ___ a dog before. (had / has got)
Show answer or example answer
had
had describes the earlier possession.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. Last winter, I ___ a warm coat. (had / have got)
Choose the correct option. ___ you have a key yesterday? (Did / Do)
Choose the correct option. She has got a cat now, but she ___ a dog before. (had / has got)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe something you had as a child and something you have now.