have got vs have — state sticker vs time engine (GiU Units 1–18)

The rule

have got = present-anchored state snapshot (“at this exact moment” sticker)
- I’ve got a headache = state right now
- Cannot extend: ✗ I’ve got a headache since morning → have had
- No past/future: ✗ had got, ✗ will have got
have = time engine — takes whatever window the frame gives:
- I have a headache = now / habitual (“I have headaches often”)
- I had = past window
- I’ve had = window since morning → now
- I’ll have = future

When the frame needs duration (since/for) or any non-present tense → the “got” sticker falls off, ride the clock: I’ve had / had / will have.

Sickness symptoms — stative have

Say	Don’t say
I have a headache / cold / fever / sore throat / flu	✗ I’m having a headache (≠ experiencing — “I’m having a great time”)
I’ve got a headache (informal same)	✗ I’m having it since I got up
I’ve had a headache since this morning	✗ I have it since…
I had a headache yesterday	—
I’ve got a cold (state, Unit 17)	✗ I’m having a cold

Continuous exception: attacks/episodes in progress or onset: “I’m having a heart attack / an asthma attack / contractions.”

have got ≠ have — where got fails

Habits/dynamic actions (する-type): I have breakfast ✗ I’ve got breakfast; I have a shower/fun/a good time — got = possession only, not events
No past/future: use had / will have
Idioms/experiences: have a good time, have fun — ✗ got

Formality nuance: have got isn’t “formal have” — it’s stative have + informal. Formal possession register = plain have: “Do you have a minute?” vs “Have you got a minute?”

Japanese parallel (Cure-Dolly mental model)

got works where 持ってる (state) works; fails where する (action) works. Same split as 持つ vs する:

頭痛がある (state) ≈ have got a headache
朝ごはんを食べる / シャワーを浴びる (action) ≈ have breakfast/shower — never got

Source

English Grammar in Use Additional Exercises (present and past, Units 1–18). Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.