Mini grammar lessons HAVE vs HAVING

Having or have???

Welcome to your Mini grammar lesson with Nikole from

1. I am having coffee. 2. I have coffee.

To understand the meaning of each sentence, let's put them in context. For example, I am talking to my friend Jack on the phone.

Jack: Hey Nikole. What are you up to? (What are you doing?) Nikole: Hi Jack. I am having coffee at the Storybucks cafe. I am on my break now. And you?

Notice how Nikole is talking about the ACTIVITY she is doing now. She is having some coffee now. Having coffee in this sentence has the same meaning as drinking coffee. Similarly, Nikole could say, 'I am having lunch or dinner.'

Let's go back to present simple. I have coffee. Verb HAVE in present simple means POSSESSION. For example, your neighbour has run out of coffee. (Run out of coffee means they don't have any coffee at the moment). Neighbour: 'Do you have any coffee? I've run out.' You: 'Sure. I always have some coffee in my cupboard. Here you go.'