Talking about family and relationships

Here are some useful phrases for discussing family and relationships.

Brothers and sisters

• To ask if somebody has a brother or sister, you can use a structure with have got or do.
• ‘Have you got any brothers or sisters?’ ‘Yes, I’ve got two brothers and a sister.’
• ‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’ ‘I’ve two sisters but I don’t have any brothers.’
• ‘Has he got any brothers or sisters?’ ‘Yes, he’s got an elder brother and a younger sister.’
• ‘Has she got any brothers or sisters?’ ‘No, she hasn’t got any brothers or sisters. She’s an only child.’

Children and grandchildren

• ‘Have you got any kids?’ / ‘Yes, I’ve got two kids – a boy and a girl. The boy is ten and the girl is four.’
• ‘Do you have any children?’ ‘No, I don’t have any children.’
• ‘Has she got a son?’ ‘Yes, she’s got a son.’
• ‘Has he got a son?’ ‘No, he hasn’t got a son, but he’s got a beautiful daughter.’

Notes

Both have and have got can be used to talk about our relationships and possessions. However, have got is more common than have without got.

• She has blue eyes. = She has got blue eyes.

Use have with the pronouns I, we, you and they. Use has with the pronouns he and she.

• ‘Do you have any grandchildren?’ ‘Yes, I’ve got four grandchildren – two boys and two girls.’

• ‘Does she have any grandchildren?’ ‘No, she doesn’t have any grandchildren.’ / ‘No, she hasn’t got any grandchildren.’

Notes

Use do with the pronouns I, we, they and you. Use does with the pronouns he and she.

Parents and grandparents

• ‘Where do your parents live?’ ‘My parents live in Kerala.’
• ‘Where do her parents live?’ ‘Her parents live with her.’
• ‘Are your parents still alive?’ ‘Yes, my parents are still alive.’
• ‘Is his father still alive?’ ‘No, his father is no more.’
• ‘What do your parents do?’ ‘My parents are retired.’
• ‘What does her father do?’ ‘Her father works at a bank.’
• ‘What does your mother do?’ ‘My mother teaches music at an academy.’
• ‘What does your father do?’ ‘My father used to serve in the army but now he is retired.’

Relationship status

• ‘Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend?’ ‘Yes, I’ve got a boyfriend.’
• ‘Have you got a boyfriend / girlfriend?’ ‘No, I don’t have a boyfriend.’ / ‘No, I haven’t got a boyfriend.’
• ‘Are you married?’ ‘Yes, I’m married.’
• ‘Is she married?’ ‘No, she’s single.’
• ‘Is he married?’ ‘No, he’s engaged.’
• ‘Are you single?’ ‘Yes, I’m single.’
• ‘Is she single?’ ‘She’s divorced.’
• ‘Is his sister married?’ ‘She’s a widow.’
• ‘Is he married?’ ‘He’s a widower.’
• ‘Is your sister married?’ ‘She’s separated.’
• ‘Are you seeing someone?’ ‘Yes, I’m seeing someone.’
• ‘Is she seeing someone?’ ‘Yes, she’s seeing a colleague of hers.’
• ‘Is he seeing someone?’ ‘No, he’s not in a relationship.’

Notes

When you are seeing somebody you are involved in a romantic relationship with him / her.

Pets

• ‘Have you got any pets?’ / ‘Do you have any pets?’ ‘Yes, I’ve got two dogs / cats.’
• ‘I’ve an Alsatian / a German shepherd / a Labrador.’
• ‘I’ve got a pet rabbit.’