What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
have
Example
I have a car. [have: verb]
Example
She has a headache. [has: verb]
Example
We had lunch together. [had: past tense]
hold
Example
Please hold this for me. [hold: verb]
Example
He held the door open for her. [held: past tense]
Example
The company will hold a meeting next week. [hold: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Have is more common than hold in everyday language and is used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between have and hold?
Hold is more formal than have and is often used in professional or business contexts.
