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English Grammar Lessons And Worksheets

Have vs. Having

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Having is the present participle form of have. We do not normally use having to express ideas such as possession. When have means own, it is always used in the base form. Having is not possible in this case.

  • I have a car. (BUT NOT I am having a car.)
  • He has a daughter. (BUT NOT He is having a daughter.)

Have is also used to talk about medical conditions that we experience.

  • I have a cold / a headache / a sore throat. (NOT I am having a cold / a headache.)

However, the form having can be used to talk about certain medical conditions that last for only a few seconds or minutes. For example, we can say:

  • I am having a heart attack.
  • He thought that he was having a stroke.
  • He was having an epileptic fit.

When we talk about eating, the continuous form having is possible.

They were having dinner when I arrived. (Here we are talking about an activity that was in progress when another action occurred.)

Compare:

  • I have breakfast at 8 am. (Routine)
  • I am having breakfast. (An activity that is going on at the moment of speaking)

Related posts:

  1. Uses of the present continuous tense
  2. Simple present or present continuous tense | CBSE Class 5 English Grammar
  3. Present continuous tense overview
  4. Common Mistakes In The Use Of Simple Present And Present Continuous Tense
  5. Present Continuous Tense Worksheet For Classes 5 And 6
  6. Past Perfect Continuous Tense Form And Uses
  7. Future Continuous Tense
  8. Present Continuous Tense Form And Uses | C1 – C2 Grammar

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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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