What is the difference between Had and Have had? - Learn Their Use with Examples

It is true that had and have had are a bit confusing, particularly the usage of have had becomes more difficult and even tangling, but it is not as much as it seems.

In English language, sometime a learner encounters some complicated situations grammatically, and he/she is unable to figure out what condition is to be implemented or what would be the appropriate word to be used etc. Among these, to identify the difference between had and have had is a complicated one and their usage leads confusion to the new learners. It is true that had and have had are a bit confusing, particularly the usage of have had becomes more difficult and even tangling, but it is not as much as it seems.

So, if you are among those who are getting stuck exercising these words, this article is prepared only for you. Here, I will explain their usage with certain examples, and I hope considerably you will be able to cope with your confusion.

In English grammar, Had and Have had are certainly used in discrete conditions. In terms of had, I would say there is nothing to get confused as it’s so simple to understand and use. Had is the past form of the verb ‘to have’, gives the meaning of something that has happened in the past. Had is also used as an auxiliary verb in the past perfect tense. On the other hand, have had is used in the present perfect tense where have is the main verb, unlike normal conditions where have is used to tell about just about recent past, or it comes with an object to show possession with it like I have a mobile phone, I have written this article. Thus, contrary to normal condition of have, in the case of have had, one talks about something that he/she possessed or carried out or something etc. in the recent past and now intends to connect with the present where the sentence would be classified as present perfect and have would be used as verb.

How to use Had in a sentence?

Had is the past form of the verb ‘to have’ which is used to tell possession of something in the past, or to talk about that was done in the past (i.e. past perfect). For instance,

I had a mobile phone.	I had completed my course last year.
You had a book.	You had lost your job.
John had a cap.	Smith had ruined his career.
They had a fun.	We had bought a car.

In the above examples, you can see that had is used in certain ways including with singular & plural nouns & pronouns as well as in the past perfect forms. Also, you will notice here that had is used in all cases and with all: 1st person, 2nd person and 3rd person.

Use of Have Had in the sentence

Have had is used when a person wants to talk about something that he/she possessed or carried out or something etc. in the recent past and now intends to connect with the present, so, the sentence would be classified as present perfect and have would be used as verb.

I have had low grades in this exam.

You have had a best chance to leave.

We have had some misunderstandings today.

Through the above examples, you can notice that how the word have had is used as substitute to multiple verbs according to the situation. In simple words, it can be said that the usage of have had is some extent similar to had, but notably with a little stress on the action as it emphasis the action done in the near past.

Thus, in this sense, the meanings would be:

·         In 1^st sentence: I have secured very low grade in this exam

·         In 2^nd sentence: You missed the wonderful opportunity to take leave or to go

·         In 3^rd sentence: Today, we misapprehended on that issue

What have we learnt today?

Had:

• is the past form of the verb ‘to have’, gives the meaning of something that has happened in the past
• is also used as an auxiliary verb in the past perfect tense

Have had:

• is used in the present perfect tense, where have is the main verb
• is used when a person wants to talk about something that he/she possessed or carried out or something etc. in the recent past and now intends to connect with the present