Mastering Collocations with ‘Have’: A Comprehensive Guide

Collocations are combinations of words that frequently appear together in a language. Understanding and using collocations correctly is crucial for achieving fluency and naturalness in English.

This article focuses specifically on collocations with the verb “have,” which is one of the most versatile verbs in the English language. Mastering these collocations will significantly enhance your ability to express yourself accurately and effectively.

This guide is suitable for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, and provides detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you master this essential aspect of English grammar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Collocations with ‘Have’
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types and Categories of Collocations with ‘Have’
   • Collocations Expressing Possessions
   • Collocations Expressing Experiences
   • Collocations Expressing Relationships
   • Collocations Expressing Actions
   • Collocations Related to Meals
   • Collocations related to illness
5. Examples of Collocations with ‘Have’
6. Usage Rules for Collocations with ‘Have’
7. Common Mistakes with Collocations with ‘Have’
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

Introduction

The verb “have” is a cornerstone of English grammar, used in a multitude of contexts to express possession, experiences, actions, and more. However, its versatility can also be a source of confusion for language learners.

The key to using “have” effectively lies in understanding its collocations. Collocations are word partnerships that sound natural to native speakers, and using the correct collocations with “have” is essential for clear and fluent communication.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to collocations with “have,” covering various categories, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises. By mastering these collocations, you’ll be able to express yourself more accurately and confidently in English.

Definition of Collocations with ‘Have’

A collocation is a combination of two or more words that frequently occur together. These combinations sound natural to native English speakers, and using the correct collocations is crucial for effective communication.

Collocations with “have” involve the verb “have” combined with nouns, adjectives, or adverbs to create specific meanings that go beyond the literal definition of the individual words. They can express possession, experiences, relationships, actions, or states of being.

Understanding and using these collocations correctly is essential for fluency and accuracy in English.

Classification: Collocations can be classified based on the grammatical relationship between the words. In the case of “have,” the most common type of collocation involves “have” + noun. For example, “have a car” (possession), “have a meeting” (action), or “have a cold” (experience). Other collocations might involve “have” + adjective, such as “have fun.”

Function: The function of collocations with “have” is to express a wide range of meanings in a concise and natural way. Instead of using longer, more complex phrases, collocations provide a shorthand way to convey specific ideas. For example, instead of saying “experience a feeling of happiness,” you can simply say “have fun.”

Contexts: Collocations with “have” are used in a variety of contexts, from everyday conversations to formal writing. They are essential for expressing yourself naturally and accurately in any situation. The specific collocations you use will depend on the context and the meaning you want to convey.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of collocations with “have” is typically: Have + Noun Phrase.

This structure can be modified to include articles, adjectives, or other modifiers within the noun phrase. For example:

• Have a car (article + noun)
• Have a nice day (article + adjective + noun)
• Have some coffee (quantifier + noun)

The verb “have” can also be conjugated to different tenses (e.g., has, had, having) or used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., will have, can have, should have) to express different time frames or modalities. For example:

• I had a great time. (past tense)
• She has a new job. (present perfect)
• They will have a party next week. (future tense)

Understanding these structural variations is essential for using collocations with “have” correctly in different contexts.

Types and Categories of Collocations with ‘Have’

Collocations with “have” can be categorized based on the type of meaning they express. Here are some common categories:

Collocations Expressing Possessions

These collocations indicate ownership or holding of something.

Examples include: have a car, have a house, have money, have a job, have a pet.

Collocations Expressing Experiences

These collocations describe events, feelings, or sensations that someone undergoes.

Examples include: have a good time, have fun, have a dream, have a nightmare, have an accident.

Collocations Expressing Relationships

These collocations refer to connections between people.

Examples include: have a friend, have a family, have a relationship, have a partner, have a colleague.

Collocations Expressing Actions

These collocations describe activities or events that someone performs or participates in.

Examples include: have a meeting, have a party, have a conversation, have a look, have a break.

Collocations Related to Meals

These collocations refer to eating and drinking habits.

Examples include: have breakfast, have lunch, have dinner, have a drink, have a snack.

Collocations related to illness

These collocations refer to health and sickness.

Examples include: have a cold, have the flu, have a headache, have a fever, have a cough.

Examples of Collocations with ‘Have’

Here are some detailed examples of collocations with “have,” organized by category:

Table 1: Collocations Expressing Possessions

This table shows common collocations with “have” that indicate ownership or possession. These examples are fundamental for describing what people own or hold.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have a car	I have a car, so I can drive you to the airport.
Have a house	They have a house in the countryside.
Have money	He doesn’t have much money to spend on luxuries.
Have a job	She’s lucky to have a job in this economy.
Have a pet	We have a pet dog named Max.
Have a book	I have a book that you might enjoy reading.
Have a pen	Can I borrow your pen? I don’t have a pen with me.
Have a computer	Most students have a computer for their studies.
Have a phone	Everyone seems to have a phone these days.
Have a bike	He has a bike that he rides to work every day.
Have a garden	We have a garden where we grow vegetables.
Have a balcony	Our apartment has a balcony with a great view.
Have a view	The hotel room has a view of the ocean.
Have a passport	You need to have a passport to travel internationally.
Have a ticket	Make sure you have a ticket before boarding the train.
Have a license	You must have a license to drive a car.
Have a degree	She has a degree in engineering.
Have a certificate	He has a certificate in project management.
Have a skill	It’s important to have a skill that is in demand.
Have experience	They have experience in the field of marketing.
Have knowledge	She has knowledge of several programming languages.
Have information	We have information about the upcoming event.
Have access	You need to have access to the internet for this task.
Have permission	You must have permission to enter this area.
Have responsibility	He has responsibility for managing the team.
Have control	She has control over the project budget.
Have authority	The manager has authority to make decisions.
Have the right	Everyone has the right to express their opinion.

Table 2: Collocations Expressing Experiences

This table provides examples of collocations with “have” that describe experiences, feelings, or sensations. Mastering these collocations will help you to vividly describe events and emotions.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have a good time	We had a good time at the party last night.
Have fun	Let’s have fun on our vacation!
Have a dream	I had a dream about flying last night.
Have a nightmare	She had a nightmare and woke up screaming.
Have an accident	They had an accident on the way to work.
Have a feeling	I have a feeling that something good is going to happen.
Have a hunch	I have a hunch that he’s not telling the truth.
Have a thought	I had a thought about starting my own business.
Have an idea	I have an idea for a new project.
Have a problem	We have a problem that we need to solve.
Have difficulty	I have difficulty understanding this concept.
Have trouble	He has trouble remembering names.
Have a challenge	We have a challenge ahead of us.
Have an experience	I had an amazing experience traveling in Asia.
Have a moment	Can I have a moment of your time?
Have a chance	I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye.
Have an opportunity	We have an opportunity to expand our business.
Have a choice	You have a choice between two options.
Have a say	Everyone should have a say in the decision-making process.
Have a laugh	We had a good laugh watching that comedy show.
Have a cry	She had a cry after hearing the sad news.
Have a shock	I had a shock when I saw the bill.
Have a surprise	We had a surprise party for her birthday.
Have a scare	I had a scare when the car almost hit me.
Have a feeling	I have a feeling that something good is going to happen.
Have a sense	I have a sense of accomplishment after finishing the project.

Table 3: Collocations Expressing Relationships

This table showcases collocations with “have” that describe relationships between people. Using these collocations correctly is essential for discussing family, friends, and colleagues.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have a friend	I have a friend who is a talented musician.
Have a family	They have a family with two children.
Have a relationship	She has a relationship with a man from Italy.
Have a partner	He has a partner in his business venture.
Have a colleague	I have a colleague who is very helpful.
Have a brother	I have a brother who lives in another city.
Have a sister	She has a sister who is a doctor.
Have a parent	I have a parent who always supports me.
Have a child	They have a child who is going to school.
Have a relative	I have a relative who lives abroad.
Have a neighbor	We have a neighbor who is very friendly.
Have a classmate	I have a classmate who is very intelligent.
Have a roommate	She has a roommate who is studying law.
Have a teammate	We have a teammate who is a great player.
Have a client	We have a client who needs our services.
Have a customer	The store has a customer who is always complaining.
Have a boss	I have a boss who is very demanding.
Have an employee	The company has an employee who is very productive.
Have a mentor	I have a mentor who guides me in my career.
Have a student	The professor has a student who is very promising.
Have a teacher	I have a teacher who inspires me.

Table 4: Collocations Expressing Actions

This table lists examples of collocations with “have” that describe actions or activities. These are essential for discussing daily routines, events, and tasks.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have a meeting	We have a meeting at 10 AM to discuss the project.
Have a party	They have a party every year for their anniversary.
Have a conversation	I had a conversation with my boss about my career goals.
Have a look	Can I have a look at your new car?
Have a break	Let’s have a break and grab some coffee.
Have a shower	I have a shower every morning before work.
Have a bath	She likes to have a bath to relax after a long day.
Have a walk	Let’s have a walk in the park.
Have a swim	We had a swim in the ocean yesterday.
Have a rest	You should have a rest if you’re feeling tired.
Have a try	Why don’t you have a try at solving this puzzle?
Have a go	I’ll have a go at fixing the computer.
Have a shot	Let me have a shot at answering the question.
Have a dance	They had a dance at the wedding reception.
Have a sing	We had a sing around the campfire.
Have a read	I’m going to have a read of this book.
Have a listen	Let’s have a listen to this new song.
Have a taste	Can I have a taste of your soup?
Have a bite	I’ll have a bite of that sandwich.
Have a drink	Let’s have a drink at the bar.

Table 5: Collocations Related to Meals

This table provides examples of collocations with “have” related to meals and eating habits. These collocations are crucial for discussing food and dining experiences.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have breakfast	I have breakfast every morning at 7 AM.
Have lunch	We have lunch together in the cafeteria.
Have dinner	They have dinner at a fancy restaurant tonight.
Have a snack	I’m going to have a snack before going to bed.
Have a drink	Let’s have a drink after work.
Have a coffee	I have a coffee to wake up in the morning.
Have a tea	She has a tea in the afternoon.
Have a beer	They have a beer while watching the game.
Have a wine	We have a wine with dinner.
Have a meal	Let’s have a meal at that new restaurant.
Have a sandwich	I’ll have a sandwich for lunch.
Have a salad	She has a salad to stay healthy.
Have a soup	I’m going to have a soup for dinner.
Have a dessert	We have a dessert after the main course.
Have a cake	They have a cake for the birthday celebration.
Have a pizza	Let’s have a pizza tonight.
Have a burger	I’m going to have a burger for dinner.
Have a steak	He has a steak at the fancy restaurant.
Have some water	Please have some water, you must be thirsty.
Have some juice	I’ll have some juice with my breakfast.

Table 6: Collocations Expressing Illness

This table showcases collocations with “have” that describe health and sickness related concepts. Being familiar with these collocations is important for discussing health issues and symptoms.

Collocation	Example Sentence
Have a cold	I have a cold, so I can’t go to work today.
Have the flu	She has the flu and is staying in bed.
Have a headache	I have a headache and need to take some medicine.
Have a fever	He has a fever and feels very weak.
Have a cough	She has a cough that keeps her up at night.
Have a sore throat	I have a sore throat and it hurts to swallow.
Have a stomachache	He has a stomachache after eating too much.
Have a backache	She has a backache from sitting at her desk all day.
Have a toothache	I have a toothache and need to see a dentist.
Have a rash	He has a rash on his skin.
Have an allergy	I have an allergy to pollen.
Have an infection	She has an infection in her eye.
Have a disease	He has a disease that requires regular treatment.
Have a condition	She has a condition that affects her mobility.
Have an injury	He has an injury from playing sports.
Have a wound	She has a wound that needs to be bandaged.
Have a pain	I have a pain in my leg.
Have a problem	I’m having a problem with my knee.
Have symptoms	He has symptoms of the flu.
Have side effects	The medication has side effects.

Usage Rules for Collocations with ‘Have’

Using collocations with “have” correctly involves understanding the specific contexts in which they are appropriate. Here are some general rules:

1. Use the correct noun: The noun that follows “have” must be the one that is commonly used in the collocation. For example, you can “have breakfast,” but not “have morning meal.”
2. Pay attention to articles and quantifiers: Some collocations require the use of articles (a, an, the) or quantifiers (some, any, much). For example, “have a good time” requires the article “a,” while “have some coffee” requires the quantifier “some.”
3. Consider the tense: The verb “have” can be conjugated to different tenses to express different time frames. Make sure to use the correct tense based on the context. For example, “I had a great time” (past tense) vs. “I am having a great time” (present continuous).
4. Be aware of formal vs. informal usage: Some collocations are more common in formal contexts, while others are more common in informal contexts. Choose the appropriate collocation based on the situation.
5. Avoid literal translations: Collocations often have idiomatic meanings that cannot be understood by simply translating the individual words. Learn the specific meaning of each collocation and use it accordingly.

Common Mistakes with Collocations with ‘Have’

Here are some common mistakes that English language learners make when using collocations with “have,” along with corrections:

Table 7: Common Mistakes and Corrections

This table shows some typical errors learners make with collocations involving “have.” Understanding these common mistakes can help you avoid them and improve your overall accuracy.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I had a very well time.	I had a very good time.	“Good time” is the correct collocation, not “well time.”
Do you have many money?	Do you have much money?	“Much” is used with uncountable nouns like “money.”
I want to have a showering.	I want to have a shower.	“Shower” is the correct noun to use with “have.”
She has a coldness.	She has a cold.	“Cold” is the correct noun to use for the illness.
We did a meeting.	We had a meeting.	“Have a meeting” is the correct collocation.
I am having a headache strong.	I have a strong headache.	The adjective should come before the noun.
He has a flu very bad.	He has a very bad flu.	The adverb should come before the adjective.
They made a party.	They had a party.	“Have a party” is the correct collocation.
I am having a lunch now.	I am having lunch now.	The article “a” is not needed before “lunch.”
She has a good experience.	She had a good experience.	Use the past tense if the experience is over.
I have a very big fun.	I have a lot of fun.	“Fun” is often used with “a lot of” instead of “very big.”
We are taking a break.	We are having a break.	“Have a break” is a common alternative to “take a break.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of collocations with “have” with these practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct collocation using “have.”

Table 8: Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences below with the appropriate collocations with “have.” This exercise will test your knowledge of which words commonly go together.

Question	Answer
1. I usually __________ at 7 AM.	have breakfast
2. We __________ at the beach yesterday.	had a good time
3. Do you __________ any siblings?	have
4. Let’s __________ and discuss the project.	have a meeting
5. She __________ because she is sick.	has a fever
6. I __________ that something good will happen.	have a feeling
7. We __________ with our friends last night.	had dinner
8. He __________ driving a car.	has a license
9. I __________ understanding this grammar rule.	have difficulty
10. They __________ next week for their anniversary.	will have a party

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

Table 9: Exercise 2 – Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences. This exercise focuses on correcting common mistakes made when using “have” collocations.

Question	Answer
1. I had a very well time.	I had a very good time.
2. She has a coldness.	She has a cold.
3. We did a meeting yesterday.	We had a meeting yesterday.
4. I am having a headache strong.	I have a strong headache.
5. They made a party last night.	They had a party last night.
6. I am having a lunch now.	I am having lunch now.
7. She has a good experience yesterday.	She had a good experience yesterday.
8. I have a very big fun.	I have a lot of fun.
9. We are taking a break now.	We are having a break now.
10. He has the flu very bad.	He has a very bad flu.

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with an appropriate collocation with “have.”

Table 10: Exercise 3 – Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the most suitable collocation with “have.” This exercise emphasizes the natural and idiomatic use of “have” in different contexts.

Question	Answer
1. If you’re feeling stressed, you should __________.	have a break
2. Before you start driving, make sure you __________.	have a license
3. When I travel, I always __________.	have a good time
4. Let’s __________ to celebrate our success.	have a party
5. I can’t concentrate because I __________.	have a headache
6. Before making a decision, I want to __________.	have a think
7. After a	8. If you want to improve your English, you need to __________.	have a conversation
9. She can’t eat ice cream because she __________.	has a allergy
10. In the morning, I always __________.	have breakfast

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of collocations with “have”:

• Nuances and subtleties: Some collocations with “have” have subtle differences in meaning or usage depending on the context. Pay attention to these nuances to use the collocations accurately.
• Regional variations: Some collocations with “have” may be more common in certain regions or dialects of English. Be aware of these regional variations and use the collocations that are appropriate for your audience.
• Idiomatic expressions: Some collocations with “have” are part of idiomatic expressions that have a figurative meaning. Learn these idiomatic expressions to understand and use them correctly.
• Formal vs. informal usage: Understand which collocations are more appropriate for formal writing and which are better suited for informal conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about collocations with “have”:

Conclusion

Mastering collocations with “have” is an essential step towards achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding the different types and categories of collocations with “have,” following the usage rules, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and effectively.

Keep practicing and expanding your knowledge of collocations to enhance your overall English language skills.