“Also have” or “have also”? Which one is correct? This is a common question for English learners because both forms can be correct. The difficult part is knowing where to put “also” in a sentence.
For example:
- I also have a car.
- I have also visited London.
Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the position of also changes depending on the verb and sentence structure.
This small word causes many problems because English has several rules for placing adverbs. In everyday conversation, you may hear also have, have also, is also, has also, and can also have. A learner who does not know the pattern may wonder why “also” moves around.
The good news is that the rule is easier than it first appears.
Also usually means “in addition,” “too,” or “as well.” It adds another person, thing, action, or fact to what has already been mentioned. The main question is not whether we can use “also,” but where it should go.
By the end of this guide, you will understand when to use also have, when to use have also, how auxiliary verbs affect the position of “also,” and how to avoid common mistakes.
You will also see simple examples from everyday English so you can use these forms naturally when speaking and writing.
What Does “Also Have” Mean?
“Also have” is used when also comes before the main verb have.
Here, also adds another possession, experience, feature, relationship, or situation to something already mentioned.
The basic pattern is:
Subject + also + have + object
For example:
I also have a new phone.
This means that, in addition to something already discussed, I have a new phone too.
When do we use “also have”?
We commonly use also have when have is the main verb in a simple present sentence.
Look at this example:
Sarah has a bicycle. I also have a bicycle.
The first sentence tells us that Sarah has a bicycle. The second sentence adds another person who has one.
The word also is placed before have because “have” is the main verb.
Here are more examples:
- I also have a younger brother.
- We also have a meeting tomorrow.
- They also have a house in Lahore.
- She also has a part-time job.
- He also has a lot of experience.
- You also have the right to choose.
- My parents also have a small business.
- I also have some questions.
Notice something important: when the subject is he, she, or it, the verb becomes has, not have.
She also has a car.
Not:
She also have a car. ❌
“Also have” can talk about more than possession
The verb have does not only mean “own.”
It can be used for many situations:
I also have a problem.
We also have lunch at noon.
They also have an English class today.
I also have a headache.
She also has two children.
So, “also have” is useful in many everyday situations.
A common learner confusion
Many learners think also must always come after the verb because they translate directly from their first language.
That is not true.
When have is the main verb, “also” normally comes before have:
I also have a question. ✅
I have also a question. ⚠️
The second sentence is possible in some special or formal styles, but it is not the normal choice in everyday modern English. For beginners, I also have a question is the natural pattern to learn.
What Does “Have Also” Mean?
“Have also” is used when have is an auxiliary (helping) verb, usually in a perfect tense.
The common structure is:
Subject + have + also + past participle
For example:
I have also visited Paris.
Here, have is helping to form the present perfect tense. The main verb is visited.
This is why also comes after have.
The sentence means:
I have visited Paris in addition to something else.
When do we use “have also”?
We often use have also with the present perfect tense.
Examples:
- I have also seen that movie.
- We have also visited that museum.
- They have also finished the project.
- You have also made the same mistake.
- I have also heard this story.
- We have also tried that restaurant.
- They have also learned English.
- I have also spoken to the manager.
In each sentence, have is a helping verb and the main action is shown by the past participle:
- have + seen
- have + visited
- have + finished
- have + made
- have + heard
- have + tried
What about “has also”?
The same rule applies to has.
With he, she, or it, we use:
Subject + has + also + past participle
For example:
She has also visited Canada.
He has also finished his work.
The company has also announced a new plan.
So the pattern is not really about the word have alone. It is about whether have/has is a helping verb.
The key idea
Compare these two sentences:
I also have a car.
Here, have is the main verb.
But:
I have also bought a car.
Here, have is a helping verb, while bought is the main verb.
That small difference explains why also changes position.
Difference Between “Also Have” and “Have Also”
The easiest way to understand the difference is to look at the job of have.
| Form | Job of “have” | Common structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| also have | Main verb | Subject + also + have + object | I also have a car. |
| have also | Helping verb | Subject + have + also + past participle | I have also bought a car. |
| also has | Main verb | Subject + also + has + object | She also has a car. |
| has also | Helping verb | Subject + has + also + past participle | She has also bought a car. |
1. “Also have” with the main verb
Consider:
I also have a laptop.
The word have tells us what the subject possesses.
The structure is:
I + also + have + a laptop.
There is no second verb after have.
Another example:
We also have enough time.
Again, have is the main verb.
2. “Have also” with a helping verb
Now look at:
I have also finished my homework.
Here, “have” does not mean possession. It helps form the present perfect.
The main action is finished.
The structure is:
I + have + also + finished + my homework.
This is why “also” sits between have and finished.
The grammar logic
A useful rule is:
When “have” is the main verb, put “also” before it.
I also have a car.
When “have” is an auxiliary verb, put “also” after it.
I have also driven that car.
This rule works in many sentences.
Compare:
They also have two children.
Here, “have” means they are parents of two children.
But:
They have also adopted a child.
Here, “have” is helping to form the present perfect, and adopted carries the main meaning.
Meaning comparison
The two forms can sometimes look very similar, but the grammar is different.
I also have a book.
This means I possess a book in addition to something else.
I have also read the book.
This means reading the book is another experience or action I have completed.
The first sentence is about having something.
The second is about reading something.
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
Rule #1: Put “also” before “have” when “have” is the main verb
Use:
Subject + also + have + object
Examples:
I also have a question.
We also have a dog.
They also have tickets.
This is the basic pattern for simple present sentences with “have.”
Rule #2: Put “also” after “have” when “have” is a helping verb
Use:
Subject + have + also + past participle
Examples:
I have also finished my work.
We have also visited that city.
They have also completed the test.
The word after also is often a past participle.
Rule #3: The same idea applies to “has”
When has is the main verb:
She also has a car.
When has is a helping verb:
She has also bought a car.
This is one of the most useful comparisons to remember.
Rule #4: Modal verbs change the pattern
When a modal such as can, will, should, or may comes before “have,” also usually comes after the modal and before “have.”
For example:
I can also have some coffee.
You should also have a backup plan.
We may also have another meeting.
She will also have enough time.
The pattern is:
Subject + modal + also + have + …
Do not automatically move “also” after “have.”
I can also have coffee. ✅
I can have also coffee. ❌
This rule becomes especially useful in spoken English.
Common Mistakes Students Make
English learners often make mistakes with these forms because they remember the word also but not its position.
Mistake 1: Using “have also” when “have” is the main verb
Incorrect:
I have also a car. ❌
Natural:
I also have a car. ✅
Why?
Because have is the main verb here.
A simple correction tip is to ask yourself:
“Is there another main verb after have?”
If the answer is no, you will usually want:
also have
Mistake 2: Using “also have” in a perfect tense
Incorrect:
I also have finished my homework. ⚠️
In some contexts, this order may be heard, especially when the speaker wants special emphasis, but the normal neutral placement is:
I have also finished my homework. ✅
Here, “have” is an auxiliary verb and “finished” is the main verb.
Mistake 3: Forgetting “also” after a modal
Incorrect:
She can have also a ticket. ❌
Better:
She can also have a ticket. ✅
The modal can comes first, then also, then have.
Mistake 4: Confusing “also” with “too”
Many learners know:
I have a car too.
So they try to put also in the same position:
I have a car also. ⚠️
This can be grammatically possible, but it sounds less natural in ordinary conversation.
A more natural sentence is:
I also have a car. ✅
Or:
I have a car too. ✅
Remember that also and too often have a similar meaning, but they do not always have the same position.
Mistake 5: Using “have” instead of “has”
Incorrect:
She also have a sister. ❌
Correct:
She also has a sister. ✅
But with a modal:
She can also have a sister. ✅
Why? After modal verbs such as can, we use the base form have.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is a simple classroom trick.
Ask: “Is have the main verb?”
If yes, put also before have.
I also have a car.
Think:
ALSO → HAVE
But if have is helping another verb, put also after have.
I HAVE → ALSO → finished.
Think:
HAVE → ALSO → ACTION
So you can remember:
Main have = also have
Helping have = have also + action
This trick works because it focuses on the job of have, not just the word itself.
One more easy comparison
Think about these two sentences:
I also have lunch at work.
Here, “have” is the main verb.
I have also eaten lunch.
Here, “have” helps the verb “eaten.”
Once you notice the second verb, the position becomes much easier.
Daily Life Examples
These examples show how native and fluent speakers naturally use the two patterns.
Example 1: Talking about possessions
Ali: Do you have a laptop?
Sara: Yes. I also have a tablet.
Here, have is the main verb.
Example 2: Talking about experience
Ali: Have you visited Dubai?
Sara: Yes, I have also visited Abu Dhabi.
Here, have is helping to form the present perfect.
Example 3: Talking about family
I also have two sisters.
This means the speaker has two sisters in addition to something already discussed.
Example 4: Talking about completed work
We have also finished the second part of the project.
The word finished is the main action.
Howdy, bhattiayan7234@gmail.com
Example 5: Making a suggestion
Also Have or Have Also
The modal should comes before also have.
Example 6: Talking about plans
Also Have or Have Also
“Will” is the modal helping verb, so also comes before have.
Example 7: Talking about a recent experience
Also Have or Have Also
The speaker is adding another experience.
Example 8: Talking about something available
Also Have or Have Also
Here, “have” is the main verb.
Example 9: Talking about a past action
Also Have or Have Also
“Has” is helping form the present perfect.
Example 10: Talking about possibilities
Also Have or Have Also
The pattern is:
may + also + have
This sounds natural in both conversation and writing.
Practice Section
Choose the correct option in each sentence.
1. I ______ a new phone.
A. have also
B. also have
2. I ______ visited that city.
A. also have
B. have also
3. She ______ a beautiful garden.
A. also has
B. has also
4. They ______ completed the work.
A. also have
B. have also
5. We can ______ some food later.
A. have also
B. also have
Answers
1. B — also have
Also Have or Have Also
“Have” is the main verb.
2. B — have also
Also Have or Have Also
“Have” is helping the main verb “visited.”
3. A — also has
Also Have or Have Also
“Has” is the main verb.
4. B — have also
Also Have or Have Also
“Have” is an auxiliary verb.
5. B — also have
Also Have or Have Also
“Can” is a modal, so also comes before the base verb “have.”
FAQs
The main difference is the job of have. Use also have when “have” is the main verb: “I also have a car.” Use have also when “have” is a helping verb: “I have also visited London.”
Can we use “also have” in questions?
Yes. The position depends on the question structure.
For example:
Also Have or Have Also
With a present perfect question, we say:
Also Have or Have Also
Here, “have” is the helping verb, so also comes after it.
Is “also have” formal or informal?
Also have is normal in both spoken and written English. It is not especially formal or informal.
For example:
Also Have or Have Also
This sounds natural in a classroom, email, conversation, or formal discussion.
Is “have also” grammatically correct?
Yes. Have also is completely correct when “have” is functioning as a helping verb.
For example:
Also Have or Have Also
It is especially common with the present perfect tense.
Can I say “I have also a car”?
This is not the normal modern English word order. For everyday English, say:
Also Have or Have Also
You may occasionally see unusual or formal word orders in older writing, but beginners should use the natural modern pattern.
Which is more common: “also have” or “have also”?
Neither is always more correct. It depends on the grammar of the sentence.
Use also have when “have” is the main verb:
Also Have or Have Also
Use have also when “have” is a helping verb:
Also Have or Have Also
The important thing is the role of have, not simply the phrase itself.
Conclusion
The choice between “also have” and “have also” becomes much easier when you look at the role of have in the sentence.
When have is the main verb, put also before it:
Also Have or Have Also
When have is a helping verb, put also after it:
Also Have or Have Also
The same idea works with has:
Also Have or Have Also
Also Have or Have Also
And when a modal verb comes before “have,” use:
Also Have or Have Also
Also Have or Have Also
Also Have or Have Also
The best way to remember the rule is simple: main verb → also before have; helping verb → also after have.
Do not worry if the word order feels strange at first. Read these patterns aloud, make your own sentences, and notice how “also” is used in real English. After a little practice, also have and have also will start to feel natural.
Oliver Bennett is an English language educator and content writer passionate about simplifying grammar. He creates clear, practical lessons, writing tips, and learning resources that help readers improve their English with confidence.
