third-person singular auxiliary
Used before a past participle to make a perfect verb form.
She has finished her homework.
The train has already left.
American English
How to pronounce has
auxiliary · verbA2Very common word
HAAZ
/hæz/
One syllable.
Form of have
Has is used with he, she, it, and singular nouns.
Used before a past participle to make a perfect verb form.
What to listen for
“Has” is usually /hæz/ when you say it alone or emphasize it, but in natural connected speech it is often reduced to /həz/ or /əz/. You may hear the /h/ disappear before another word.
Full form/hæz/
Very reduced form/əz/
Reduced form/həz/
Meanings & examples
third-person singular verb
Used with to and another verb to say that a person or thing must do something.
He has to call the doctor.
The machine has to cool down first.
third-person singular verb
Used with a singular subject to say that the subject owns, holds, or keeps something.
Maria has a spare key.
The child has a red backpack.
third-person singular verb
Used with a singular subject to say that the subject is connected to someone as family or a partner.
She has two brothers.
Tom has a new partner.
Useful expressions
to own or possess something
I've got two sisters.
to enjoy yourself
We had a good time at the concert.
to be related to something
The delay had something to do with the weather.
Related words & forms
Has and had are irregular. In having, the final e disappears.