Auxiliary verbs in English are be, do, have, and will. They function as auxiliaries when followed by another verb (main verb) to form questions, negative sentences, complex sentences, or passive voice.
The Verb 'Have'
in English can be used both as an auxiliary and as a main verb. As an auxiliary, we use it to form complex sentences in active and passive voice.
Active Voice:
- Present Perfect Simple: He has played football.
- Past Perfect Simple: He had played football.
- Present Perfect Progressive: He has been playing football.
- Past Perfect Progressive: He had been playing football.
Passive Voice:
- Present/Past Perfect: The house has/had been built.
Please note that have is an irregular verb:
- Simple Present: I/we/you/they have, he/she/it has
- Simple Past: I/he/she/it/we/you/they had
- Past Participle: had
Have in Affirmative Sentences
As a main verb in English, have indicates possession. In British English, however, we often use have got.
- Full verb: I have a car.
- Auxiliary verb: I have got a car.
Have in Negative and Question Sentences
When in English we use have as a main verb, we need to use the auxiliary do in negative sentences and questions. If we use have got, however, we don't need an auxiliary verb.
Have as a full verb:
- I do not have a car.
- Do I have a car?
Have as an auxiliary verb:
- I have not got a car.
- Have I got a car?
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