# have over

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/have-over
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to invite someone to your home as a guest for a short time.

For teachers: to host a person or group at one's residence for a social visit; typically implies a pre-arranged invitation.

## Examples

- We should have the neighbors over for coffee soon.
- Since they just moved in, they are having some friends over for a housewarming party tonight.
- The ambassador frequently had over various foreign dignitaries to foster better diplomatic relations in a more relaxed, domestic setting.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will have over my parents." but "I will have my parents over." — while not strictly ungrammatical, it is much more natural to place the person between 'have' and 'over'.

## Usage notes

- this is a separable phrasal verb where the guest (the object) usually goes between 'have' and 'over'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'invite over' (the act of asking) versus 'have over' (the act of hosting); it is almost always used with people as the object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.