# we've

CEFR A1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/weve
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

the short way to say 'we have'. You use it when you are talking about yourself and at least one other person.

For teachers: a contraction of the first-person plural pronoun 'we' and the auxiliary or main verb 'have'. Used in speech and informal writing to represent the spoken rhythm of the language.

## Examples

- We've already finished our homework.
- We've been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes, but it still hasn't arrived.
- We've reached a point in the negotiations where both parties must decide if they are willing to compromise or if the entire deal will collapse.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We've a lot of work yesterday." but "We had a lot of work yesterday." — Learners sometimes use 'we've' for the past tense because they confuse the contraction with a general past form; it can only represent the present tense 'have'.

## Usage notes

- Functions as a contraction; the 've' can represent the auxiliary verb in the present perfect tense or the main verb of possession.

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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.