Have Had vs Has Had: The Simple Difference Explained

Introduction

Have you ever felt unsure about whether to write “have had” or “has had”? You’re not alone! These phrases can be tricky because they look so similar. Understanding the difference is a key step to sounding more natural and confident in English.

What Is “Have Had” and “Has Had”?

Both “have had” and “has had” are forms of the present perfect tense. They are used to talk about an action that started in the past and has a connection to the present. The core verb here is “to have,” which means to own, experience, or hold something. So, “have had” and “has had” literally mean “to have had” something in a period of time leading up to now.

Rules

1. Use “has had” with third-person singular subjects. This means he, she, it, or any singular noun (e.g., the boy, Sarah, a car).
2. Use “have had” with first-person (I, we), second-person (you), and third-person plural subjects (they).
3. They describe an action or possession that occurred at an unspecified time in the past and is relevant now. The exact time is not important.
4. They can also describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present. This is often used with “for” or “since.”

How to Use It

Let’s break it down into simple steps.

Step 1: Identify your subject. Who or what is doing the “having”?

Step 2: Apply the rule. Is the subject he/she/it or a singular name/thing? If yes, use has had. For all other subjects (I, you, we, they, plural nouns), use have had.

Step 3: Check the meaning. Are you talking about a past experience with present relevance? For example: “I have had this book for weeks.” (I got it in the past, and I still have it now).

Examples in Sentences

• I have had enough of this noise.
• She has had the same job since 2020.
• We have had three meetings this week.
• He has had his breakfast already.
• They have had a lot of good luck recently.
• My car has had two flat tires this month.
• You have had plenty of time to finish.
• The team has had a successful season.
• I have had a headache all day.
• That company has had many owners.

Common Mistakes

Here are some typical errors and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using “has” with plural subjects.
❌ The students has had a test.
✅ The students have had a test.

Mistake 2: Using “have” with third-person singular.
❌ My brother have had an idea.
✅ My brother has had an idea.

Mistake 3: Confusing it with the simple past “had.” Use present perfect when the time period isn’t finished or the result matters now.
❌ I had a cold last week. (Simple past, finished time)
✅ I have had a cold for three days. (Present perfect, started in past and continues now)

Mistake 4: Forgetting the past participle.
❌ She has have a difficult time.
✅ She has had a difficult time.

Quick Summary

• Has had = for he, she, it, singular nouns.
• Have had = for I, you, we, they, plural nouns.
• Both are the present perfect tense of the verb “to have.”
• They link a past action or state to the present moment.

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blank with either “have had” or “has had.”

1. They __________ a long journey.
2. Tom __________ that car for years.
3. I __________ enough coffee today.
4. The dogs __________ their walk.
5. She __________ a lot on her mind recently.

Answers:
1. have had
2. has had
3. have had
4. have had
5. has had

Conclusion

Mastering “have had” and “has had” is all about knowing your subject and understanding the connection between past and present. With a little practice, you’ll use these phrases correctly and naturally, making your English sound more fluent and accurate.

FAQ

Q1: Can “have had” be used in questions?
Yes, absolutely. The structure changes slightly. For example: “Have you had lunch?” or “Has she had any news?” The auxiliary verb (have/has) comes before the subject.

Q2: What is the negative form?
The negative form uses “haven’t had” or “hasn’t had.” For example: “I haven’t had a chance to call.” or “He hasn’t had any problems.”

Q3: Is “had had” also correct?
Yes, but it’s different. “Had had” is the past perfect tense. It’s used when talking about an action in the past that happened before another past action. Example: “She was tired because she had had a busy day.”

Q4: Why can’t I just always use “had” (simple past)?
You can use “had” for finished actions in the past with no present connection. However, using “have had/has had” adds the important meaning that the past event is relevant to your current situation, experience, or timeframe. It’s a very useful tool for clear communication.