Who has a beard?
Who has got a beard?

Can you explain differences between the two?

For example, there are a group of 30 students. A teacher is checking out who has a beard in the group, however, the students are not in the school. In this case, can the teacher say the lower one to other teachers who teach the same group? (The teacher can't remember exactly who has a beard. So, the teacher is asking other teachers about that.)

Thanks in advance! :)

Question

Who has a beard?
Who has got a beard?

Can you explain differences between the two?

For example, there are a group of 30 students. A teacher is checking out who has a beard in the group, however, the students are not in the school. In this case, can the teacher say the lower one to other teachers who teach the same group? (The teacher can't remember exactly who has a beard. So, the teacher is asking other teachers about that.)

Thanks in advance! :)

Answer

They have exactly the same meaning.  The second is more colloquial.  Reducing your use of the verb "get" is one good way to improve your English.

Answer

The two options are:

1. Who has a beard?
2. Who’s got a beard?

A native speaker wouldn’t pointlessly lengthen the second sentence without good reason, such as needing an extra syllable to fit into a song or a poem or for dramatic effect.

Between 1 and 2, the second flows slightly better and is clearer when speaking at high speed, but the first is more universally acceptable due to not using ‘get’ which is frowned upon in certain circles.

Answer

The difference between "Who has a beard?" and "Who has got a beard?" is subtle and mostly depends on regional preference and formality:

1. "Who has a beard?"
* Common in both American and British English.
* Simple and direct.
* Works perfectly for both spoken and written English.

* Example:
    * Teacher 1: "Who has a beard in this group?"
    * Teacher 2: "I think John does."