What are the definitions of “have around”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Entertain someone in your home.
I HAD the neighbours AROUND for dinner last night.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “have around”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb have around is to entertain or host someone in your home, such as inviting friends or family over for a meal or a gathering.
What are the different verb forms of “have around”?
| Root Verb | have around |
| Third Person Singular Present | has around |
| Present Participle | having around |
| Simple Past | had around |
| Past Participle | had around |
Example
We often have friends around for dinner on weekends.
Example
She has her family around for a barbecue every summer.
Example
They are having some colleagues around for a game night.
Example
Last week, we had our neighbors around for a potluck.
Example
We've had many guests around during the holidays.
What kind of phrasal verb is “have around”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“have around” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
We had our friends around for a movie night.
Example
She had her family around for Thanksgiving dinner.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“have around” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
We had our friends around for a movie night.
Example
She had her family around for Thanksgiving dinner.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “have around”?
Good things to know
Does “have around” have an informal or formal tone?
Have around is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. It may not be suitable for very formal settings, where more formal alternatives like 'host' or 'entertain' might be preferred.
