Talking about family and relationships
You can use the phrases given in this lesson to talk about your 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.
‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’ ‘I’ve two sisters but I don’t have any brothers.’
‘Have you got any brothers or sisters?’ ‘Yes, I’ve got two brothers and a sister.’
‘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 thirteen and the girl is eight.’
‘Do you have any children?’’Yes, I have two 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 runs a music school.’
‘What does your father do?’ ‘My father was 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.’
‘Is he married?’ ‘No, he’s engaged.’
‘Are you married?’ ‘Yes, I’m married.’
‘Is she single?’ ‘She’s divorced.’
‘Is she married?’ ‘No, she’s single.’
‘Is his sister married?’ ‘She’s a widow.’
‘Are you single?’‘Yes, I’m single.’
‘Is he married?’ ‘He’s a widower.’
‘Is your sister married?’ ‘She’s separated.’
‘Is she seeing someone?’ ‘Yes, she’s seeing a colleague of hers.’
‘Are you seeing someone?’‘Yes, I’m seeing someone.’
‘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.’
