Say It Right: When Not to Use "Having"

Understanding When Not to Use "Having" in English

Mastering the use of "having" in English can significantly enhance your fluency and accuracy. While "having" is a versatile word, there are specific contexts where its usage is incorrect. Understanding these nuances can help you avoid common mistakes and speak English more naturally. Let's explore three frequent errors related to the use of "having" and learn how to correct them.

1. Simple Present or Past Tense

Incorrect: "She is having a car."

Correct: "She has a car."

In English, "having" is not used to indicate possession in the simple present or past tense. Instead, we use "has" for the present tense and "had" for the past tense. The phrase "She is having a car" suggests an ongoing action, which doesn't make sense in the context of ownership. The correct form is "She has a car," which clearly and accurately states possession.

Why This Matters:

Using "having" to indicate possession is a common mistake, especially among non-native speakers. It’s essential to remember that possession is a state, not an action, and should be expressed with "has" or "had."

Examples:

- Present Tense: "He has a bike." (Not "He is having a bike.")

- Past Tense: "They had a house." (Not "They were having a house.")

2. When Describing a Habit or Routine

Incorrect: "I am having lunch at 1 PM every day."

Correct: "I have lunch at 1 PM every day."

When discussing habits or routines, the simple present tense is used. "Having" in the continuous form implies an action happening right now, which isn't suitable for regular activities. Therefore, "I am having lunch at 1 PM every day" is incorrect. The correct form, "I have lunch at 1 PM every day," accurately describes a habitual action.

Why This Matters:

Describing routines with the correct tense helps convey regularity and predictability. The continuous form should be reserved for actions occurring at the moment of speaking or for temporary situations.

Examples:

- "She goes jogging every morning." (Not "She is going jogging every morning.")

- "They visit their grandparents every weekend." (Not "They are visiting their grandparents every weekend.")

3. With Static Verbs

Incorrect: "She is having knowledge of the subject."

Correct: "She has knowledge of the subject."

Static verbs describe states or conditions rather than actions. These include verbs related to possession, emotions, and thoughts. For static verbs, we don’t use the continuous form. Therefore, "She is having knowledge of the subject" is incorrect. The correct form is "She has knowledge of the subject," which accurately describes a state of being.

Why This Matters:

Static verbs express a state or condition that is usually constant or unchanging. Using the continuous form can imply that these states are temporary actions, which can be confusing and incorrect.

Examples:

- "He loves reading." (Not "He is loving reading.")

- "We know the answer." (Not "We are knowing the answer.")

Summary

Understanding when not to use "having" is crucial for proper English grammar and clear communication. Here are the key takeaways:

- Simple Present or Past Tense: Use "has" or "had" to indicate possession.

- Incorrect: "She is having a car."

- Correct: "She has a car."

- Describing a Habit or Routine: Use the simple present tense for regular activities.

- Incorrect: "I am having lunch at 1 PM every day."

- Correct: "I have lunch at 1 PM every day."

- Static Verbs: Use the simple present tense for states or conditions.

- Incorrect: "She is having knowledge of the subject."

- Correct: "She has knowledge of the subject."

By remembering these rules and applying them in your daily conversations, you can avoid common mistakes and improve your English fluency. Keep practising, and soon, these corrections will become second nature. Happy learning!