English pronunciation · Words Starting with H
Have Pronunciation
Have is pronounced HAV, IPA /ˈhæv/.
HAV
US /ˈhæv/
Syllables: HAV (1 syllable)
verb: To possess or hold something, and the helper verb used to form the perfect tenses.
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Have in a Sentence
- They have three cats and a greenhouse.
- We have already paid for the tickets.
- Do you have a minute?
Common Mispronunciations of Have
Not HAV rhyming with cave
The a is short here even though the spelling ends in e. Have breaks the usual rule that a silent e lengthens the vowel.
Not HAF
The ending is a voiced v with the vocal cords running. Devoicing it gives something closer to half.
Tip: In connected speech have often shrinks to a v: they've gone, should've told me. Written as should of, it is the same sound and a spelling mistake.
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