auxiliary form
Used before a past participle to show that one action happened before another.
Having finished dinner, we watched a movie.
Having worked all day, she went straight to bed.
American English
How to pronounce having
auxiliary · verbA2Very common word
HAAvihng
/ˈhæ.vɪŋ/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Form of have
Having can introduce an action or situation, and it often does not mean owning something.
Used before a past participle to show that one action happened before another.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
gerund or present participle
Used with to and another verb to say that something is necessary.
Having to work late is difficult.
I dislike having to ask for help.
gerund or present participle
Possessing, holding, or keeping something.
Having a car makes life easier.
She is having trouble opening the door.
gerund or present participle
Being connected to someone as family or as a partner.
Having two brothers can be fun.
She is happy about having 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.