Have and has in the negative: don't have, doesn't have or hasn't?
Use don't have with I, you, we and they, and doesn't have with he, she and it. After doesn't, has becomes have: She doesn't have a car.
Examples
- I don't have time for breakfast.
- They don't have a garden.
- My grandmother doesn't have a smartphone.
- This laptop doesn't have a USB port.
Remember
- After doesn't, always use have, never has.
- Hasn't / haven't + past participle is the present perfect (He hasn't called), not "own".
- Questions use Do / Does: Does he have a car? — No, he doesn't.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
| She doesn't | She doesn't have a bike. |
| He | He doesn't have money. |
| I | I don't have a car. |
Try it
Choose the correct negative:
Our flat doesn't have a balcony.
- A. doesn't have — Correct
- B. doesn't has
- C. don't have
Answer: A. doesn't have
It takes doesn't, and doesn't is always followed by have.
Choose the correct negative:
My parents don't have a car.
- A. doesn't have
- B. not have
- C. don't have — Correct
Answer: C. don't have
They takes don't. Not can't go straight before have.
Choose the word that starts the question:
Does she have a passport?
- A. Has
- B. Do
- C. Does — Correct
Answer: C. Does
Questions use do/does too. She takes Does, and have stays have.