Expressing 'Have' — Possession, Experience, Obligation
English 'have' serves multiple functions that Chinese splits across different words
Category: Grammar
The Rule
'Have' for possession ('I have a car'), present perfect auxiliary ('I have eaten'), obligation ('I have to go'), and experience ('I have been to Paris'). Each use has different grammar.
Why This Matters
Chinese uses different words: 有 (possession), 了/过 (completed/experience), 必须 (obligation). English 'have' covers all these, which confuses Chinese speakers about when 'have' is a main verb vs auxiliary vs obligation marker.
Examples
• I have a new phone. (possession) — "我有一个新手机。" [have = 有 (own/possess)] • I have visited London twice. (experience) — "我去过伦敦两次。" [have + past participle = present perfect (experience)] • I have to leave now. (obligation) — "我现在必须走了。" [have to = 必须 (must/need to)]
Common Mistakes
❌ I have go to London twice. ✅ I have been to London twice. → Present perfect needs past participle: 'have been' not 'have go'. ❌ I have must leave. ✅ I have to leave. / I must leave. → Don't combine 'have' and 'must'. Use one or the other for obligation.
Quick Tip
Three 'have' patterns: (1) have + noun = possession. (2) have + past participle = present perfect. (3) have to + base verb = obligation. The grammar after 'have' tells you which one it is.
Three 'have' patterns: (1) have + noun = possession. (2) have + past participle = present perfect. (3) have to + base verb = obligation. The grammar after 'have' tells you which one it is.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I have go to London twice. → Correct: I have been to London twice.. Present perfect needs past participle: 'have been' not 'have go'.
Incorrect: I have must leave. → Correct: I have to leave. / I must leave.. Don't combine 'have' and 'must'. Use one or the other for obligation.
Quiz
In 'She has finished her homework', what role does 'has'?