Having vs. Haven — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 17, 2024
"Having" is the present participle of the verb "have," indicating possession or experiencing something, while "haven" is a noun meaning a safe place or refuge.
Difference Between Having and Haven
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Having" is a verb form that indicates possession, holding, or experiencing something. It is often used in continuous tenses or gerund phrases, such as "having lunch" or "having a good time." "Haven" is a noun referring to a place of safety or refuge, often associated with protection and comfort. It is commonly used to describe places that provide shelter or relief from danger or difficulty.
"Having" denotes a state or action related to possession or experience, while "haven" identifies a specific type of place. These terms serve different grammatical functions and contexts.
"Having" can be used in various tenses and contexts to express possession or experiencing something, whereas "haven" is used to describe a sanctuary or place of safety.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (present participle, gerund)
Noun
Meaning
Possession or experiencing something
A place of safety or refuge
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Example Sentence
"She is having a great day."
"The park is a haven for birds."
Usage Context
Continuous tenses, gerund phrases
Describing safe places
Function
Describes actions or states
Identifies a type of place
Compare with Definitions
Having
Experiencing or undergoing something.
He is having a tough time at work.
Haven
A place of safety or refuge.
The small town is a haven for retirees.
Having
To be in possession of
Already had a car.
Haven
A peaceful or secure place.
The library is a haven for students seeking quiet.
Having
To possess as a characteristic, quality, or function
Has a beard.
Had a great deal of energy.
Haven
A retreat or safe environment.
The island is a haven for endangered species.
Having
To possess or contain as a constituent part
A car that has air bags.
Haven
Shelter or sanctuary from danger.
The cave provided a haven during the storm.
Having
To occupy a particular relation to
Had many disciples.
Haven
A place offering favorable conditions.
The garden is a haven for butterflies.
Having
To possess knowledge of or facility in
Has very little Spanish.
Haven
A harbor or anchorage; a port.
Having
To hold in the mind; entertain
Had doubts about their loyalty.
Haven
A place of refuge or rest; a sanctuary.
Having
To use or exhibit in action
Have compassion.
Haven
To put into or provide with a haven.
Having
To come into possession of; acquire
Not one copy of the book was to be had in the entire town.
Haven
A harbour or anchorage protected from the sea.
Having
To receive; get
I had a letter from my cousin.
Haven
(by extension) A place of safety.
Having
To accept; take
I'll have the peas instead of the spinach.
Haven
(by extension) A peaceful place.
Having
To suffer from
Have defective vision.
Haven
To put into, or provide with a haven.
Having
To be subject to the experience of
Had a difficult time last winter.
Haven
A bay, recess, or inlet of the sea, or the mouth of a river, which affords anchorage and shelter for shipping; a harbor; a port.
What shipping and what lading 's in our haven.
Their haven under the hill.
Having
To cause to do something, as by persuasion or compulsion
Had my assistant run the errand.
Haven
A place of safety; a shelter; an asylum.
The haven, or the rock of love.
Having
To cause to be in a specified place or state
Had the guests in the dining room.
Had everyone fascinated.
Haven
To shelter, as in a haven.
Having
To permit; allow
I won't have that kind of behavior in my house.
Haven
A shelter serving as a place of safety or sanctuary
Having
To carry on, perform, or execute
Have an argument.
Haven
A sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
Having
To place at a disadvantage
Your opponent in the debate had you on every issue.
Having
(Informal) To get the better of, especially by trickery or deception
They realized too late that they'd been had by a swindler.
Having
(Informal) To influence by dishonest means; bribe
An incorruptible official who could not be had.
Having
To procreate (offspring)
Wanted to have a child.
Having
To give birth to; bear
She's going to have a baby.
Having
To partake of
Have lunch.
Having
To be obliged to; must
We simply have to get there on time.
Having
To engage in sexual intercourse with.
Having
Used with a past participle to form the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses indicating completed action
The troublemaker has gone for good. I regretted that I had lost my temper. They will have finished by the time we arrive.
Having
One enjoying especially material wealth
"The gulf widens between the feast of the haves and the famine of the have-nots" (Salman Rushdie).
Having
Present participle of have
Having
The act of possessing; ownership.
Having
Something owned; possession; goods; estate.
Having
(obsolete) A person's behaviour.
Having
Good manners.
Having
(obsolete) Grasping; greedy.
Having
Possession; goods; estate.
I 'll lend you something; my having is not much.
Having
Present participle of "have," indicating possession.
She is having a birthday party today.
Having
Holding or taking part in an activity.
We are having a meeting this afternoon.
Having
Used in gerund phrases to denote actions.
Having finished the project, she took a break.
Having
Describing a state of being or condition.
Having a cold can make you feel miserable.
Common Curiosities
What does "having" mean?
"Having" means possessing, holding, or experiencing something.
How is "having" used in a sentence?
e.g., "She is having dinner with friends."
How is "haven" used in a sentence?
e.g., "The beach is a haven for surfers."
Is "haven" a verb?
No, "haven" is a noun.
Is "haven" used to describe people?
No, "haven" describes places, not people.
Is "having" a noun?
No, "having" is a verb (present participle, gerund).
Is "having" used in continuous tenses?
Yes, "having" is often used in continuous tenses, e.g., "She is having a good time."
Can "having" be used in past tense?
No, but it can be part of past continuous, e.g., "She was having lunch."
Is "haven" always a physical place?
Usually, but it can metaphorically describe any safe or comforting environment.
What does "haven" mean?
"Haven" refers to a place of safety or refuge.
Can "haven" refer to any place?
Yes, but it specifically refers to places of safety or refuge.
Can "having" refer to ownership?
Yes, it often indicates possession, e.g., "Having a car is convenient."
Can "having" be used to describe a condition?
Yes, it can describe a state or condition, e.g., "Having a headache is unpleasant."
Can "having" start a gerund phrase?
Yes, e.g., "Having completed the task, he rested."
Does "haven" imply danger?
Not directly, but it suggests a place offering safety from danger.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
