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Verb: to have/having something



 
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Verb: to have/having something #1 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:02 am   Verb: to have/having something
 

Dear teachers,

I have felt really unconfortable when I saw the verb "to have" has its -ing form in the sense of possession. In fact, I have been taught differently that the verb cannot have its -ing form in the sense of possession unless "have" as in phrasal verbs such as "to have breakfast/dinner", "to have a shower",..., and the like.

Could anyone explain me why I've seen a lot on the internet where people keep saying/writing something like: I am having plans/I am having dificulty...

Is that way gramatically correct?

Thanks
Anna.ha
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Verb: to have/having something #2 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:06 am   Verb: to have/having something
 

"Are you having any problems, ma'am?"

Is it possessive too?
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Verb: to have/having something #3 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:52 am   Verb: to have/having something
 

I am having plans/I am having difficulty...

Just a more lazy way of saying," I am going to have plans / difficulty." Yet another misconception of English folk always being naturally,grammatically correct.

If it sounds right, then it must be right. Another misconception.
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Verb: to have/having something #4 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 14:17 pm   Verb: to have/having something
 

Anna.ha wrote:
Could anyone explain me why I've seen a lot on the internet where people keep saying/writing something like: I am having plans/I am having dificulty...

Is that way gramatically correct?

Thanks


When you say "I'm having plans/difficulty" you are not talking about possessions. You don't 'possess' difficulties, plans or other abstract things.
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Verb: to have/having something #5 (permalink) Sun Mar 15, 2009 14:34 pm   Verb: to have/having something
 

Hi Anna,

Just to add - 'have' can have many meanings. 'Having difficulties' suggests 'experiencing difficulties'.

Alan
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