Unraveling The Grammar: Why We Ask "Who Has Custody Of Chloe?" (and Not "Who Have?")
The question "Who has custody of Chloe?" is a perfectly natural and grammatically correct way to inquire about a child's legal guardianship. Yet, for many English speakers, it can subtly trigger a moment of hesitation. Why "has" and not "have"? After all, we say "Who do you have?" or "Who did they have?" This seemingly simple query opens up a fascinating discussion about subject-verb agreement, the role of auxiliary verbs, and the often-misunderstood nature of the pronoun "who" in questions. While the practical answer to Chloe's custody is beyond the scope of this grammatical exploration, understanding the mechanics behind the question itself is key to mastering English.
The Core of the Confusion: 'Has' vs. 'Have'
At the heart of this grammatical puzzle lies the fundamental difference between "has" and "have." These two forms of the verb "to have" are among the most frequently used in English, and their correct application is crucial for clear communication.
The Basics: When to Use 'Has' and 'Have'
The primary rule is straightforward: "has" is used with singular third-person subjects (he, she, it, or any singular noun like "Chloe," "the dog," "my brother"). "Have" is used with all other subjects: plural subjects (they, we, you, the children) and the first-person singular "I."
For instance, if we're talking about a single person, we would say, "He has a cell phone." Similarly, "Chloe has a new toy." This aligns with the basic principle that "we use 'has' with singular, and 'she' is singular."
The 'Do/Does' Dilemma
Where much of the confusion arises is in questions or negative sentences that involve the auxiliary verbs "do" or "does." A common grammatical error occurs when "has" is used incorrectly in these constructions. The rule is clear: "It is ungrammatical to use 'has' in questions that begin with 'do' or 'does'."
When "do" or "does" is present, it carries the conjugation for the subject, and the main verb "to have" reverts to its base form, "have."
- Incorrect: "She doesn't has a book."
- Correct: "She doesn't have a book."
In these types of questions, the verb "do" is conjugated based on the subject (e.g., "Do you have?" vs. "Does she have?"). The main verb "have" remains constant. This is why "The answer in both instances is 'have'" when referring to the form of the main verb after "do" or "does."
The Enigma of 'Who': Subject-Verb Agreement in Questions
Now, let's circle back to our central question: "Who has custody of Chloe?" The key to understanding why "has" is correct here lies in how "who" functions as a subject in a question.
'Who' as a Singular Subject
In questions like "Who has custody...?", "who" is generally treated as a singular subject, even if the answer might ultimately be plural (e.g., "Her parents have custody"). When "who" acts as the subject of the verb, it typically takes the singular verb form. This is a crucial point for subject-verb agreement: "the question asked is in order to know if who agrees with the verb when who is." In this context, "who" is implicitly singular, leading to the use of "has."
Consider these examples:
- "Who is coming to the party?" (Not "Who are coming?")
- "Who wants ice cream?" (Not "Who want?")
In each case, "who" is treated as a singular entity performing the action, thus requiring a singular verb form. The same principle applies to "Who has custody of Chloe?" – "who" is the singular subject performing the action of "having" custody.
Common Pitfalls and Parallel Examples
The confusion often stems from situations where the implied answer is plural, or from similar-sounding questions that require "have." A notable example from discussions around grammar involves political figures:
"Has Trump's political views changed on Israel's war in Gaza?"
While grammatically similar to our Chloe question, this sentence sparked debate. As one user pointed out, "Shouldn't the title be 'have Trump's political views…'?" And they are correct. Why? Because the subject of the verb "changed" is "political views," which is plural. Therefore, the correct auxiliary verb should be "have," not "has."
This contrast perfectly illustrates why "Who has custody of Chloe?" is correct. In the Chloe question, "who" is the singular subject. In the Trump example, "views" is the plural subject. It's always about identifying the true subject that the verb must agree with.
Beyond Possession: 'Has' as an Auxiliary Verb
The verb "to have" isn't just about possession ("He has a cell phone"). It also plays a vital role as an auxiliary (or helping) verb, particularly in forming perfect tenses.
Forming Perfect Tenses
When "has" or "have" is used with a past participle, it forms the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present, or an action completed at an unspecified time in the past. For instance, "He has completed his work" signifies an action finished recently or with current relevance.
Consider the nuances in these common phrases:
- "Tea has come" (correct, implying the tea has arrived and is now here) vs. "Tea is come" (archaic or incorrect in modern English for this meaning).
- "He has come back" (correct, indicating his return) vs. "He is come back" (again, archaic).
In these cases, "has" acts as the auxiliary verb, helping to form the perfect tense. Similarly, "It has got four legs" uses "has" as an auxiliary to "got," which is a common informal way to express possession in British English, and "has" is indeed an auxiliary here.
Furthermore, "has" is crucial in forming the present perfect passive voice. Consider the difference between:
- "The idea has deleted." (Incorrect, implies the idea performed the action of deleting itself)
- "The idea has been deleted." (Correct, passive voice, meaning someone or something deleted the idea).
Here, "has been" serves as the auxiliary structure for the passive perfect tense, highlighting another important function of "has."
'Has Got' vs. 'Has'
While often interchangeable in informal contexts for possession, "has got" (e.g., "She has got a new car") is a common construction where "has" functions as an auxiliary. This is how we tend to use contractions when speaking, like "She's got." The underlying grammatical principle remains: "has" agrees with the singular subject.
Conclusion
So, why do we confidently ask "Who has custody of Chloe?" The answer lies firmly in the rules of English grammar. "Who," when acting as the subject of a sentence, is generally treated as singular, thus requiring the singular verb form "has." This rule stands distinct from questions using "do" or "does," where the main verb "have" is always used, and also from cases where the true subject is explicitly plural (like "Trump's political views"). Understanding the roles of "has" and "have" as both main verbs of possession and crucial auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses empowers us to navigate the intricacies of English with greater precision and confidence. The seemingly simple question about Chloe's custody is, in fact, a perfect illustration of complex grammatical principles at play.
Summary
The article explores why "Who has custody of Chloe?" is grammatically correct. It explains that "has" is used with singular subjects (like "he," "she," "it," or "Chloe"), and "who" is generally treated as a singular subject in such questions, thus requiring "has." It contrasts this with questions using "do" or "does," where the main verb always reverts to "have" (e.g., "Does she have?"). The article also delves into "has" as an auxiliary verb for forming perfect tenses (e.g., "He has completed his work") and in passive constructions ("has been deleted"), illustrating the diverse functions of this essential verb form. The example of "Have Trump's political views changed?" further clarifies subject-verb agreement when the subject is plural.
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