Have got and have

Have got and have mean the same. Have got is more informal. We use have (got) here to refer to both verbs:

• I*’ve got** a terrible pain in my back.*
• I have a terrible pain in my back. (more formal)
• They haven’t got a car.
• They don’t have a car. (more formal)

We use have (got) to talk about possession, relationships, characteristics and illnesses. In these contexts, it is not used in the continuous form:

• She’s got two cats and a dog.
• She has two cats and a dog.
• Not: She is having got two cats and a dog.
• Have you got a drill?
• Do you have a drill? (more formal)
• How many brothers have you got?
• How many brothers do you have? (more formal)
• She’s got a new boyfriend.
• She has a new boyfriend. (more formal)
• She’s got a delightful voice.
• She has a delightful voice. (more formal)
• It’s got 153 calories and 45g of carbohydrates.
• It has 153 calories and 45g of carbohydrates. (more formal)
• I have never had the measles.
• She’s got a headache.
• Not: She is having a headache.