Have Had or Has Had can feel tricky for native speakers, as phrases involve perfect tenses, auxiliary verbs, and subject-verb agreement. Understanding this difference is essential for precise communication, and from my experience, close attention to rules improves writing, conversation, and the use of these forms confidently. Real-world examples and a clear guide break down usage, showing how to avoid common mistakes.
To explain effectively, consider providing simple examples that demonstrate correct usage. Applying this guide ensures that you use have, had, and has correctly, creating precise and confident communication. With practice, what may initially feel tricky becomes second nature, and understanding these phrases makes English writing and conversation flow naturally.
Mastering “Have Had” vs “Has Had”
Understanding the difference between “have had” and “has had” can feel tricky, even for native speakers. These phrases involve perfect tenses, auxiliary verbs, and subject-verb agreement, all of which are essential for precise communication. In this guide, we’ll break down their usage, provide real-world examples, and explain common mistakes so you can use these forms confidently in writing and conversation.
Understanding the Basics of ‘Have’ and ‘Has’
English relies heavily on auxiliary verbs to convey tense, aspect, and mood. Have and has serve as auxiliary verbs in the present perfect tense and also function as main verbs indicating possession. The key difference lies in the subject they accompany.
- Have pairs with I, you, we, and they.
- Has pairs with he, she, the third-person singular subjects.
For example:
- “I have a new laptop.”
- “She has a new laptop.”
Using the wrong form disrupts subject-verb agreement, which can make sentences sound awkward or grammatically incorrect.
Defining ‘Have’ and ‘Has’ in English Grammar
Here’s a quick reference table for clarity:
| Subject | Correct Form | Example |
| I | have | I have finished my homework. |
| You | have | You have visited Paris. |
| He/She/It | has | He has completed his project. |
| We/They | have | They have seen the movie. |
This table highlights that “have” and “has” are not interchangeable. Memorizing the correct pairing is crucial for proper grammar
The Role of ‘Have’ in the Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense connects past actions to the present. It’s formed using have/has + past participle. For instance:
- “I have eaten lunch already.”
- “They have traveled to five countries this year.”
In these sentences, have emphasizes the completion of an action and its relevance to the present moment. Without having, the sentence loses its perfect aspect, making it sound like a simple past tense:
- Incorrect: “I ate lunch already.”
- Correct: “I have eaten lunch already.”
The present perfect is especially common in professional writing, storytelling, and casual conversation.
Third Person Singular: When to Use ‘Has’
For he, she, and it, the auxiliary verb has replaced have in the present perfect tense.
Examples:
- “She has submitted her assignment on time.”
- “He has finished reading the book.”
- “It has rained a lot this week.”
Using have instead of has with third-person singular subjects is a common mistake that can confuse readers or listeners. Always check the subject first before selecting the correct auxiliary.
Exploring the Past with ‘Had’
The word has ” serves as both the past tense of have and as the auxiliary verb in the past perfect tense. It helps describe actions that occurred before another past action.
Examples:
- “I had finished dinner before he arrived.”
- “She had never visited New York until last summer.”
By using had, you clarify the sequence of events, which is critical in both writing and storytelling.
Present Perfect: The Nuances of ‘Have Had’
When you combine have + past participle of have, you get “have had”, which emphasizes experiences or actions completed in the past but relevant to the present.
Examples:
- “I have had three cups of coffee today.”
- “We have had numerous discussions about this project.”
This form expresses the continuity of past experiences into the present, which is why it appears frequently in professional emails, reports, and daily conversations.
Connecting Past Actions to the Present
One of the most powerful aspects that it has had is its ability to link past events to current situations. For instance:
- Health context: “I have had a headache all morning, so I’ll take some rest.”
- Experience context: “She has had significant training in digital marketing, which helps her manage campaigns effectively.”
The context matters because it informs whether have had or has had is appropriate.
Examples of ‘Have Had’ in Sentences
To see real-world usage:
- Daily life: “I have had better days.”
- Work scenario: “The team has had multiple meetings about the client project.”
- Education: “Students have had access to online learning tools.”
These examples show how the phrase conveys past experiences or actions still relevant today.
Dissecting ‘Had’ in the Past Perfect Tense
Had + past participle forms the past perfect tense, which emphasizes the order of past events.
Examples:
- “He had left before the meeting started.”
- “They had completed the assignment before the deadline.”
Past perfect is essential for clarity in narratives, academic writing, and reporting historical events.
Significance of ‘Had’ in Forming Past Perfect
Without had, sentences often blur the timeline of events. Consider:
- “I ate breakfast before he arrived.” → Simple past, timeline unclear.
- “I had eaten breakfast before he arrived.” → Clear sequence, shows which action came first.
Past perfect is vital when sequencing matters.
Distinguishing Between ‘Have Had’ and ‘Has Had’
The difference is purely subject-dependent:
| Subject | Correct Form | Example |
| I/We/You/They | have had | “We have had three lectures today.” |
| He/She/It | has had | “She has had a busy week.” |
Remember: match the auxiliary verb to the subject to maintain grammatical accuracy.
Practical Usage Examples for Clarity
Here are some real-life examples across contexts:
Business:
- “The company has had several challenges this quarter.”
Personal:
- “I have had three cups of coffee today.”
Education:
- “Students have had access to new online resources.”
Health:
- “She has had a cold for two weeks.”
The Influence of Context in Choosing ‘Have Had’ or ‘Has Had’
Context determines whether you use have had or has had. Consider:
- Formal writing: Maintain strict subject-verb agreement.
- Informal conversation: Native speakers sometimes shorten or omit auxiliary verbs, but understanding the rules ensures clarity.
- Regional variations: English speakers worldwide maintain these distinctions for precision.
Common Mistakes and Tips to Remember the Differences
- Mixing has been used with third-person singular subjects.
- Confusing past perfect with present perfect.
- Forgetting that had is used for past actions occurring before another past action.
Tips:
- Ask: “Who is the subject?”
- Use have for I, you, we, they; has for he, she, it.
- The use had to indicate a past action preceding another.
Related Grammar Clarifications
A Shoes or A Pair of Shoes: Correct: a pair of shoes.
Segway vs Segue:
- Segway: brand of personal transporter.
- Segue: smooth transition between topics.
Wholistic vs Holistic: Modern English prefers holistic.
Arbor vs Arbour:
- Arbor: American English.
- Arbour: British English.
By Which or In Which? Example:
- “The method by which the sample was collected…” ✅
- “The method in which the sample was collected…” ❌ (depends on context)
Bowl vs Boll: Homophones with different meanings:
- Bowl: dish or sports term.
- Boll: a rounded seed capsule of cotton or flax.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the difference between have had and has had is more than a grammar exercise-it’s about conveying experiences and timelines clearly. These forms allow English speakers to express the connection between past actions and present relevance, which is crucial for storytelling, professional communication, and everyday conversation. Using have had with the correct subject (I, we, you, they) and having had with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) ensures grammatical accuracy and enhances clarity.
Additionally, mastering had in the past perfect tense helps you sequence past events effectively, avoiding confusion when narrating multiple actions. Context is everything: whether discussing personal experiences, work accomplishments, or historical events, choosing the right form communicates your message precisely.
Common mistakes, such as mixing up have had with third-person subjects or confusing present perfect with past perfect, are easy to avoid with attention to subject-verb agreement and tense. Practicing with real-life examples, like “She has had a busy week” or “I have had three meetings today,” solidifies understanding.
Consistency matters in writing. Once you choose a form, stick with it throughout your document or conversation to maintain a polished and professional tone. Remember, these forms are not just technical; they carry nuance, indicate timing, and reflect your attention to detail. With practice, using have had, has had, and had becomes second nature, enhancing both your written and spoken English.
FAQs
What is the difference between have had and has had?
Have had is used with I, you, we, and they, while has had is for he, she, and it. Both indicate experiences or actions completed in the past but relevant to the present. Correct subject-verb agreement is essential.
When should I use had instead of have had?
Use had in the past perfect tense to show one past action occurred before another past action, e.g., “I had eaten before he arrived.” Have had refers to present perfect actions connected to now.
Can I say I have had?
No. I always pair with have, so the correct phrase is I have had. Using has with I is grammatically incorrect.
Why do English speakers use have had twice?
The first has an auxiliary verb, and the second is the past participle of have. Together, they form the present perfect tense to show completed experiences or actions relevant to the present.
Has had present or past tense?
Has had is the present perfect tense. It expresses an action completed in the past with effects or relevance in the present. Had alone is past perfect, used to indicate sequence in past events.
