"would you have a pen??" vs "have you a pen?"

Question

"would you have a pen??" vs "have you a pen?"

Both phrases are correct, but 'Would you have a pen?' is more commonly used in modern English. 'Have you a pen?' is considered more formal and less common in everyday conversation.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is a polite and common way to ask someone if they have a pen.

Examples:

Would you have a pen I could borrow?
Would you have a pen I could use?
Would you have a pen I could take?
Would you have a pen I could use for a moment?
Would you have a pen I could use briefly?

Alternatives:

Do you have a pen?
Could you lend me a pen?
May I borrow a pen?
Can I use your pen?
Could I take a pen?

This phrase is considered more formal and less commonly used in everyday conversation. It is still grammatically correct but may sound old-fashioned to some.

Examples:

Have you a pen I could borrow?
Have you a pen I could use?
Have you a pen I could take?
Have you a pen I could use for a moment?
Have you a pen I could use briefly?

Alternatives:

Do you have a pen?
Could you lend me a pen?
May I borrow a pen?
Can I use your pen?
Could I take a pen?

Answer 1

would you have a pen??

This phrase is correct and commonly used in modern English.

Answer 2

have you a pen?

This phrase is correct but less common in modern English.

"would you have a pen??" vs "have you a pen?"

would you have a pen??

have you a pen?

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