English Language Arts
Grade 9
15 min
To have: use the correct form
To have: use the correct form
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Correctly conjugate the verb 'to have' in the present, past, and future perfect tenses.
Apply subject-verb agreement rules for 'have' and 'has' in complex sentences.
Differentiate between the auxiliary and main verb functions of 'to have'.
Identify and create hyphenated compound adjectives and nouns using the word 'have'.
Analyze and correct common errors in the usage of 'to have', such as the 'of' vs. 'have' confusion.
Integrate correct forms of 'to have' to enhance clarity and precision in their analytical and thesis-driven writing.
Have you ever wondered why we say 'the haves and the have-nots' instead of 'the people who have and the people who do n...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Main VerbA verb that indicates the primary action or state of being of the subject and can stand alone in a sentence. When 'to have' is a main verb, it typically means to possess, own, or hold.She has three essays to complete.
Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb)A verb that helps the main verb to express tense, mood, or voice. 'To have' is used as an auxiliary verb to form the perfect tenses.He had finished his analysis before the deadline.
Perfect TensesA set of verb tenses that indicate an action was completed at some point in the past or will be completed by a certain point in the future. They are formed using a form of 'to have' + the past participle.Present Perfect: I have seen that film. Past Perfect: I had seen that film before. Future P...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Rule for Perfect Tenses
Form of 'to have' (have, has, had, will have) + Past Participle of the main verb.
Use this formula to show that one action is completed before another. The present perfect connects the past to the present, the past perfect shows an action completed before another past action, and the future perfect shows an action that will be completed before a future moment.
Rule for Subject-Verb Agreement (Present Tense)
Singular Subject (he, she, it, the book) + HAS. Plural Subject (they, we, the books) + HAVE. First/Second Person (I, you) + HAVE.
In the present tense, the form of 'to have' must match the number of the subject. This is one of the most common sources of grammatical errors in formal writing.
Rule for Hyphenating Compounds wit...
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Challenging
Read the following analytical paragraph. Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error involving a form of 'to have'? (1) The poet's entire collection of works have consistently explored themes of loss. (2) Her most famous poem, for example, has a speaker who is haunted by the past. (3) Critics might have interpreted this as a reflection of the author's life. (4) This interpretation, along with many others, has merit.
A.Sentence 1
B.Sentence 2
C.Sentence 3
D.Sentence 4
Challenging
Which sentence best synthesizes the concepts of perfect tense and hyphenation to create a strong, precise thesis statement?
A.The must-have gadgets in the novel have symbolized the characters' emptiness.
B.By the novel's end, the characters will have realized their must-have mentality has only brought them unhappiness.
C.The novel's characters, who have a must have attitude, are empty.
D.The characters have a mentality that is must-have, and this will have made them unhappy.
Challenging
Which sentence demonstrates the most precise and effective use of 'to have' as both a main verb (possession) and an auxiliary verb (tense formation)?
A.The king has a powerful army, and he has a plan to win.
B.The author has had to rewrite the ending, so now the book has a better conclusion.
C.The characters have many secrets, and they have been keeping them for years.
D.The hero has had many doubts, but he has the courage to continue.
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