How to use the word had in a sentence

Hi, how are you? Vanessa here. Have you had a good day today so far?

Many of my English students asked me how to use “have had” correctly. We’ll talk about what you need to know, give you lots of examples, and give you a quiz at the end so you can see how well you understand!

What Is the Present Perfect Tense?

When I asked you the question “Have you had a good day today?”do you know which tense I used? I used the present perfect tense.

It’s important to understand that “have had” is the present perfect tense of the verb have. This tense is used when we talk about the past, when the past has some connection to what is happening now.

How Do We Form the Present Perfect Tense With The Verb Have?

We need to conjugate the helping verb “have” in the present tense with each subject, then add the past participle “had.”

I have had
You have had
He/She/It has had
We have had
They have had

Remember that we often make contractions with this tense.

I’ve had
You’ve had
He’s had/She’s had/It’s had
We’ve had
They’ve had

Contractions are much more common, so train your ear and get used to saying this more and more!

How Do I Use “Have Had” In a Sentence?

Now, let’s focus on the structure of a sentence with “have had.”

I have had a good day today so far.

The subject is I, so we need to use the form “have.” Remember, “has” is only used for he, she, or it. Then add “had,” which is the past participle of the verb.

A lot of students don’t understand how is it possible to use “have” twice in the sentence. They say it doesn’t sound right! Don’t worry! You just have to get used to it. It makes sense to native speakers, and the more you hear it, the easier it will become to use it.

Why Do I Need This Tense?

When you use “have had,” think about things you have experienced. Here are some things that I have experienced, and that I still experience today.

I have had the time of my life traveling around the world.
My experience of traveling around the world has been amazing!
I have had the best time doing it, because it has allowed me to discover new places and a lot of delicious food, too.
I have had the time of my life teaching English, and meeting students from all over the world.
My experience as a teacher has allowed me to meet people from over 100 countries. I have had a great time learning about other cultures and being able to teach people a new language.

“Have Had” Is Common During Job Interviews

During a job interview, the interviewer wants to learn more about you. They want to know if they should hire you.

When I was a new teacher, I remember one of my interviews very well. The interviewer asked me, “What experience have you had teaching people from other countries?”

I said, “I have had experience teaching students from over 100 countries.” And that really helped me during my interview.

Have, Had, Has – I’m Still Confused!

If you are still confused, don’t worry! It takes practice. Let me try to explain it in a different way.

I’m going to give you two sentences. One is in the present tense, and the other one uses the present perfect.

I have a lot of homework. (present tense)
I have had a lot of homework this week. (present perfect tense)

What is the difference between these two sentences? Let’s take a look at the first one.

I have a lot of homework.

This sentence tells you that I have a lot of homework RIGHT NOW. You don’t know if I had homework yesterday, or if I will have homework tomorrow. We are just talking about the present.

In the second example, I have had a lot of homework recently, this week. I am not talking about only the present. Remember, present perfect focuses on actions that began in the past and continue into the present. I have had a lot of homework this week. I had a lot yesterday, and maybe I will have more tomorrow.

More Examples Please!

Read this dialogue between Gabby and me, and watch for examples of “have had.”

Gabby: Vanessa, you’ve had such a long week at work, you deserve a break. Let’s go out tonight!

Vanessa: Thank you, but no thank you. I have had so much to do at work, I’m exhausted. I think I’ll pass on that tonight.

Gabby: I understand. You need to get some rest. Have you had dinner yet? Let me cook something for you.

Vanessa: That’s so nice of you! I know you’ve had a busy week at work, too. How about we just order pizza? Let’s call Domino’s.

Gabby: Good idea! Hey, let’s invite Natalie over! I don’t think she has had pizza in a long time, ever since she has started her diet. Let’s see if we can convince her to have a slice of pizza.

Vanessa: Let’s do it!

Time For a Quiz!

We’re going to ask each other some questions, and you decide whether the answer is correct or not.

1. Gabby: Vanessa, what are you having for breakfast?
   Vanessa: I have had eggs right now.

No, this is incorrect because “have had” is about the past continuing into the present. We can’t use it with the simple present, which is right now.

1. Vanessa: Hey Gabby, are you okay? You look really tired.
   Gabby: Yeah, I have had a lot of trouble falling asleep this week.

Yes, this is right! Gabby said she has had a lot of trouble falling asleep this week. That’s something that started in the past and is still going on now. We’ll use the present perfect.

1. Gabby: Could you tell me about any experience you have had related to this job?
   Vanessa: I’ve had 10 years of experience with web design.

Correct. She’s talking about her experience that started in the past and continues into the present.

1. Vanessa: I’m so mad!
   Gabby: What’s going on?
   Vanessa: My phone! It died again. It have had so many problems today. I am so over it!

No, this isn’t correct. Using present perfect is correct, but we have to match the subject to the verb, so we need to say “It has had so many problems today.”

Read more about: How to answer question, “How you have been?”

How Did You Do on the Quiz?

Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this lesson, you can watch it on YouTube here, and make sure you subscribe to GoNatural English for more great videos! If you’d like to learn more about “have had,” or more about the present perfect tense, check out this post!

You can also sign up for our complete English course by clicking here! We hope you’ve enjoyed this lesson, and we hope to see you again soon!

The verb HAVE can function as a main verb and as an auxiliary verb. The forms of the verb HAVE in the simple present are I/we/you/they have, he/she/it has; the simple past for all persons – had. The verb HAVE is also used in a large number of set expressions and in several commonly used phrases, such as «have got, have to, have got to, had better, have something done».

HAVE as a main verb

Main meanings of the verb HAVE as a main verb are «own, possess». In these meanings, the verb HAVE is a stative verb and is not used in the Continuous tenses.

He has a large house.

He has blue eyes and dark hair.

They have two cats and a dog.

She has a lot of friends.

I have a lot of work today.

He has a sense of humor.

We have the right to do it.

The phrase HAVE GOT is used as a synonym for the verb HAVE in the meaning «to own, to possess» in the present tense, especially in everyday speech. Examples: She’s got gray eyes. I’ve got a new computer. (Differences in the use of HAVE and HAVE GOT are described in Russian in the commentary to the song Gary Moore — Still Got the Blues in the section Hobby.)

HAVE as a main verb is used in a large number of set expressions in which it may keep or lose the meaning «own, possess». For example: to have breakfast, have dinner, have a cup of coffee, have a sandwich, have a good time, have fun, have an opportunity, have a problem, have difficulty, have a question, have a look, have a walk, have a talk, have a fight, have an accident, have a bath, have a baby, have a cold, have a headache, have patience, have influence, have something against someone, have a taste for something.

In a number of set expressions denoting some activity or process, for example, «to have dinner, have fun, have a walk, have a bath», the verb HAVE can be used in the Continuous tenses.

They are having breakfast now.

She writes that she is having a good time.

We are having a party next Saturday.

When I came in, he was having a talk with the manager.

HAVE as a main verb forms questions and negative sentences in the simple present and simple past with the help of the auxiliary verb DO.

Does he have a telephone? – Yes, he does.

Do you have a sister? – No, I don’t.

Did you have a look at my report?

What do you have in mind?

He has a car, doesn’t he?

He had a cold yesterday, didn’t he?

I don’t have a dictionary of British slang.

He doesn’t have any friends.

I didn’t have time yesterday.

Note: Some negative sentences with HAVE can be formed with the help of NO before the noun. Examples: He has no friends. They have no children. I have no questions. I had no time yesterday.

HAVE as an auxiliary verb

The verb HAVE is used as an auxiliary verb in the formation of the perfect tenses and of the perfect continuous tenses.

He has already written the report.

She has been waiting for two hours.

We had finished work by the time he came back.

He will have left before you wake up.

The verb HAVE as an auxiliary verb forms questions and negative sentences on its own.

Have you ever been to Australia?

How long has she been sleeping?

You have read it, haven’t you?

She hasn’t called him yet.

Students sometimes have a problem understanding sentences in which the auxiliary verb HAVE and the main verb HAVE are used together. You just need to remember that the tense form for the perfect tenses is have + past participle of the main verb, for example, «have written, has written, had written, will have written». And if the main verb in the sentence happens to be HAVE, then the tense forms will be «have had, has had, had had, will have had». Look at these sentences in which the first HAVE is an auxiliary verb that helps to form the present perfect tense, and the second HAVE is a main verb.

He has had a hard life.

She has had a headache for three days.

We haven’t had any free time lately.

I’ve had enough of your criticism!

I’ve had it!

The phrase HAVE TO

The verb HAVE expresses modality in the phrase HAVE TO in the meaning «necessity». The phrase HAVE TO, i.e., have + infinitive with the particle «to», is used as the most common substitute for the modal verb MUST in the meaning «necessity».

I must talk to him about it. – I have to talk to him about it.

I must write a report today. – I have to write a report today.

I had to go there yesterday, and I will have to go there again tomorrow.

Does he have to stay here till eight?

You don’t have to sell your car.

The phrase HAVE GOT TO is used as a synonym for HAVE TO and MUST in the present in informal speech. Examples: I’ve got to talk to him about it. I’ve got to write a report today. Differences in their use are described in Necessity in the section Grammar.

Note: The phrase HAD BETTER is used as a synonym for SHOULD and OUGHT TO for giving advice. Example: Your cough is getting worse; you’d better see a doctor. HAD BETTER is described in Advice in the section Grammar.

Construction «have something done»

The construction «have something done», i.e., have + object + past participle, is one of the types of the construction verb + complex object. It is widely used in describing the actions performed for you by someone else, usually in the form of services rendered to you by service companies.

I had my hair cut yesterday.

He had his car washed.

She had the door painted and a new lock installed.

Did you have the car repaired yesterday?

I had it done last week.

Where can I have my car washed?

Where can I have my bicycle repaired?

Can I have this suit cleaned and pressed for tomorrow?

In some cases, the verb GET can replace the verb HAVE in this construction in everyday speech.

I got my car washed.

Where can I get it done?

Note that the same construction with the verb HAVE may have another meaning:

She had all her money stolen. (Someone stole all her money. All her money was stolen.)

«Someone» may also be used (instead of «something») in such constructions with the verb HAVE. For example:

She had him arrested. (She caused the police to arrest him.)

You had me worried. (I was worried about you. You made me worry.)

He had us laughing. (We were laughing because of him. He made us laugh.)

The construction «have someone do something» has the following meaning: to ensure (to cause, request, ask) that someone performs some action. In everyday speech, «get someone to do something» may be used (meaning: to ask, to persuade someone to do something). You can replace these constructions with simpler constructions in your speech.

Have him call me, please. – Ask him to call me, please.

Have Anita type the letters. – Tell Anita to type the letters.

I got him to repair my bicycle. – I asked / persuaded him to repair my bicycle.

Глагол HAVE

Глагол HAVE может работать как основной глагол и как вспомогательный глагол. Формы глагола HAVE в простом настоящем времени – I/we/you/they have, he/she/it has; простое прошедшее для всех лиц – had. Глагол HAVE также употребляется в большом количестве устойчивых выражений и в нескольких широко употребительных фразах, таких как «have got, have to, have got to, had better, have something done».

HAVE как основной глагол

Главные значения глагола HAVE как основного глагола – иметь, обладать. В этих значениях HAVE является глаголом состояния и не употребляется во временах группы Continuous.

У него есть (Он имеет) большой дом.

У него голубые глаза и темные волосы.

У них две кошки и собака.

У неё очень много друзей.

У меня очень много работы сегодня.

У него есть чувство юмора.

Мы имеем право сделать это.

Фраза HAVE GOT употребляется как синоним для глагола HAVE в значении «иметь, обладать» в настоящем времени, особенно в разговорной речи. Примеры: She’s got gray eyes. (У неё серые глаза.) I’ve got a new computer. (У меня новый компьютер.) (Различия в употреблении HAVE и HAVE GOT описаны на русском языке в комментарии к песне Gary Moore — Still Got the Blues в разделе Hobby.)

Глагол HAVE как основной глагол употребляется в большом количестве устойчивых выражений, в которых он может сохранять или терять значение «иметь, обладать». Например: завтракать, обедать, выпить чашку кофе, съесть бутерброд, хорошо провести время, веселиться, иметь возможность, иметь проблему, иметь трудность, иметь вопрос, посмотреть, погулять, поговорить, поссориться, попасть в аварию, принимать ванну, родить ребенка, простудиться, страдать от головной боли, иметь терпение, иметь влияние, иметь что-то против кого-то, иметь склонность к чему-то.

В ряде устойчивых выражений, обозначающих какую-либо деятельность или процесс, например, «to have dinner, have fun, have a walk, have a bath», глагол HAVE может употребляться во временах группы Continuous.

Они сейчас завтракают.

Она пишет, что она хорошо проводит время.

У нас будет вечеринка в следующую субботу.

Когда я вошел, он разговаривал с менеджером.

HAVE как основной глагол образует вопросы и отрицательные предложения в простом настоящем и простом прошедшем с помощью вспомогательного глагола DO.

У него есть телефон? – Да, есть.

У вас есть сестра? – Нет, нет.

Вы посмотрели мой доклад?

Что вы имеете в виду?

У него есть машина, не так ли?

У него вчера была простуда, не так ли?

У меня нет словаря британского сленга.

У него нет друзей.

У меня не было времени вчера.

Примечание: Некоторые отрицательные предложения с HAVE можно образовать помощью NO перед существительным. Примеры: У него нет друзей. У них нет детей. У меня нет вопросов. У меня не было времени вчера.

HAVE как вспомогательный глагол

Глагол HAVE употребляется как вспомогательный глагол для образования перфектных времен и перфектных продолженных времен.

Он уже написал доклад.

Она прождала / ждет уже два часа.

Мы уже закончили работу к тому времени, как он вернулся.

Он уедет до того, как ты проснешься.

Глагол HAVE как вспомогательный глагол образует вопросы и отрицательные формы самостоятельно.

Вы когда-нибудь бывали в Австралии?

Как долго она уже спит?

Вы это прочитали, не так ли?

Она ему еще не звонила.

Студенты иногда испытывают трудность с пониманием предложений, в которых вспомогательный глагол HAVE и основной глагол HAVE употреблены вместе. Просто нужно помнить, что форма времени для перфектных времен – have + причастие прошедшего времени основного глагола, например, «have written, has written, had written, will have written». А если так получилось, что основной глагол в предложении – HAVE, то формы времен будут «have had, has had, had had, will have had». Посмотрите на эти предложения, в которых первый HAVE – вспомогательный глагол, который помогает образовать настоящее совершенное время, а второй HAVE – основной глагол.

Он прожил трудную жизнь.

У неё головная боль уже три дня.

У нас совсем нет свободного времени в последнее время.

С меня достаточно вашей критики!

Всё! С меня довольно!

Фраза HAVE TO

Глагол HAVE выражает модальность во фразе HAVE TO в значении «необходимость». Фраза HAVE TO, т.е. have + инфинитив с частицей «to», употребляется как наиболее частый заменитель для модального глагола MUST в значении «необходимость».

Я должен поговорить с ним об этом. – Я должен поговорить с ним об этом.

Я должен написать доклад сегодня. – Я должен написать доклад сегодня.

Мне пришлось пойти туда вчера, и я должен буду снова пойти туда завтра.

Должен ли он оставаться здесь до восьми?

Вам нет необходимости продавать свою машину.

Фраза HAVE GOT TO употребляется как синоним для HAVE TO и MUST в настоящем времени в разговорной речи. Примеры: Я должен поговорить с ним об этом. Я должен написать доклад сегодня. Различия в их употреблении описываются в статье Necessity в разделе Grammar.

Примечание: Фраза HAD BETTER употребляется как синоним для SHOULD и OUGHT TO для дачи совета. Пример: Ваш кашель становится хуже; вам лучше обратиться к врачу. HAD BETTER описывается в статье Advice в разделе Grammar.

Конструкция «have something done»

Конструкция have something done, т.е. have + дополнение + причастие прошедшего времени, является одним из видов конструкции глагол + сложное дополнение. Она широко употребляется для описания действий, выполненных для вас кем-то другим, обычно в виде услуг, предоставленных вам предприятиями сферы обслуживания.

Мне постригли волосы вчера.

Ему вымыли машину.

Ей покрасили дверь и вставили новый замок.

Вам починили машину вчера?

Мне это сделали на прошлой неделе.

Где мне могут вымыть машину?

Где мне могут починить мой велосипед?

Могут мне почистить и погладить этот костюм к завтрашнему дню?

В некоторых случаях, глагол GET может заменять глагол HAVE в этой конструкции в разговорной речи.

Мне помыли машину.

Где мне могут это сделать?

Обратите внимание, что та же конструкция с глаголом HAVE может иметь другое значение:

У неё украли все деньги. (Кто-то украл все её деньги. Все её деньги были украдены.)

«Someone» тоже может употребляться (вместо «something») в таких конструкциях с глаголом HAVE. Например:

Она добилась, чтобы его арестовали. (Она побудила полицию арестовать его.)

Ты заставила меня беспокоиться. (Я беспокоился, тревожился о тебе. Ты заставила меня волноваться.)

Он заставил нас смеяться. (Мы смеялись из-за него. Он заставил нас смеяться.)

Конструкция have someone do something имеет следующее значение: обеспечить (побудить, попросить), чтобы кто-то выполнил какое-то действие. В разговорной речи может употребляться конструкция get someone to do something (значение: побудить, уговорить кого-то сделать что-то). Вы можете заменить эти конструкции более простыми конструкциями в своей речи.

Обеспечьте, чтобы он позвонил мне, пожалуйста. – Попросите его позвонить мне, пожалуйста.

Обеспечьте, чтобы Анита напечатала письма. – Скажите Аните напечатать письма.

Я побудил / уговорил его починить мой велосипед. – Я попросил / уговорил его починить мой велосипед.

You probably use has and have often, but do you know the grammar rules behind how you use them?

Take this pair of sentences: which one is correct?

Is it, “Peter have a dog” or “Peter has a dog”?

What Is the Difference Between Have and Has?

The words «has» and «have» both come from the verb «to have.»

To have means to possess or hold something. It also means to experience or undergo something. «Has» and «have» both mean the same thing as «to have.»

So why are there two different versions of the word?

When Should I Use Have or Has?

It’s all to do with who we are talking about. Whether you use have or has depends on the point of view you are using. Luckily, you only use has when talking in the third-person singular (that’s grammar jargon for using he, she, or it in a sentence).

If you’re not using he, she, or it, you can almost always use «have.» Keep reading for the exceptions.

First, let’s look at some examples of when to use has and have.

When Do I Use Have?

We use have when talking about ourselves in the first person perspective (using I), when addressing someone else directly in the second person perspective (using you), or when referring to multiple people in the third person plural (using they).

Here are some examples:

• I have a dog.
• You have a cat.
• They have horses.

In all three of the examples above, have is used to indicate ownership.

Now take a look at these:

• I have seen that movie.
• You have been there, right?
• They have worked hard on this project.

In these examples, have is used to show that the subject of the sentence (I, you, they) has been through an experience (seeing the movie, going to a place, working on a project).

To recap: If you’re using I, we, you, or they, use have.

When Do I Use Has?

We use has when talking about someone or something else in the third person singular. That means that if you’re referring to just one person or thing, and you’re not using «I» or «you» to refer to them, you need to use has.

Here are some examples:

• She has red hair.
• He has eight siblings.
• It has many special features.

As before, in all of those examples has indicates ownership.

Now take a look at these:

• She has been to school.
• He has learned how to crochet.
• It has fallen over.

In these examples, has shows that the subject (she, he, or it) have experienced something (been to school) or undergone a change (learned to crochet, fallen over).

Are Has and Have Singular or Plural?

So, to recap:

• Have can be singular (I / you have) or plural (we / they have)
• Has is always singular (he / she / it has)

Seems simple, right? However, this can get tricky when you’re talking about a group of people, a team, or a company.

If you’re referring to a group of people with the pronoun everyone or everybody, you need to use has:

• Everybody has bad days.
• Now that everyone has a booklet, we’ll get started.

But if you’re referring to a general group such as children, people, and the media, you’ll need have:

• Children have struggled during the pandemic.
• It’s hard to tell if people have strong feelings on the subject.
• The media have made the issue worse by causing panic.

Is It «The Team Has» or «The Team Have»?

If you’re using a collective term, like family, team, company, or group, you can use has or have. This is because we can view these terms as one single group, or as a collection of individuals.

• The team has achieved record results this year. (team = single group)
• The team have achieved record results this year. (team = collection of individuals)

Do I Use Has or Have with a Name?

When you refer to an individual by name, you’re using the third person singular—that means you use has.

That’s because names take the place of «he» or «she» (or any other singular pronoun, like the non-binary pronoun, «they») in a sentence.

• He has a dog.
• Peter has a dog.

Now we have the answer to our earlier question. It’s Peter has a dog, not Peter have a dog.

Is It «She Should Have» or «She Should Has»?

It’s she should have. Even though we are using she, which usually goes with has, the verb should has special rules.

That’s because it’s a modal verb. We won’t get into those here, but you should know that if you always use have after a modal verb.

Here are the verbs to look out for:

• Would: I would have gone, but I was held up at work.
• Could: You could have saved him.
• Should: She should have asked me before she sold my bike.
• Shall: You shall have what you are given.
• Will: I will have the risotto, please.
• Might: He might have told me; I can’t remember.
• May: They may have been right about that.
• Can: You can have whatever you want.

What Tense Are Have and Has?

We can use the words have and has to make a few different tenses. This can get a bit complicated, but we’ll start simple.

If you are speaking about someone owning something in the present tense, you’ll use have or has with the same rules as before:

• She has an ice cream.
• I have tickets to the concert.
• They have coconut cream pie on the menu.

This is known as the simple present tense.

If you want to say that someone owned something in the past (but not necessarily now), use had. Had is the past tense version of have/has:

• He had lots of jewellery.
• You had an olive tree at the old house.
• They had excellent WiFi at the hotel.

This is known as the simple past tense.

You can also use has, have, and had to create more complex tenses.

If you want to refer to something that started in the past and continues into the present, use have or has with the same rules as before plus an -ing verb:

• She has always loved running.
• I have been going to ballet class since I was five.

When Do You Use «Was Having» or «Had Been Having»?

If someone began owning or experiencing something in the past, and this was still happening when another event occurred, use was / were having, like this:

• I was having breakfast when he got home.
• John was having a nightmare when he woke up.
• Don’t blame yourself. You were having a terrible time at work already when it happened.

If you want to describe a continuing experience that occurred before a particular time in the past, use had been having:

• I had been having trouble with my car already when I set off on the journey.

Is It Grammatically Correct to Write «Had Had»?

If you or someone else finished doing something before a specific point, you’ll need to use «had» before the action:

• No wonder you’re hungry. You had finished your lunch before 10am!
• I had seen over 50 horror films by the time I was 13.
• She had run a marathon before, but never as fast as she did this time.

This can look a bit weird if you want to say that you or someone else had finished owning or experiencing something before a point:

• They had had their dinner by 7pm.
• You had had that blanket for years before you lost it.
• I had had my prom dress ready for months before the event.

In all of these examples, it is correct to say «had had.»

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What Is the Difference Between Have, Has, and Must?

On their own, have and has don’t mean the same thing as must.

However, the phrases have to or has to do mean the same thing as must. You can use have to / has to and must interchangeably, however sometimes must is more compelling.

• You have to do your homework before you go to the skate park.
• You must do your homework before you go to the skate park.

While these sentences technically mean the same thing, using must in the second example sets a more commanding tone—the speaker is telling the listener what they must do.

Here are some more examples of have to and has to in a sentence:

• I have to leave for work by eight.
• You have to listen to this new band!
• She has to learn her lines for the performance.
• Children have to be accompanied by an adult to ride the rollercoaster.
• The Government has to resolve the issue by the end of the week.
• It has to stop raining before we can play football.

Can I Use Have and Has in the Same Sentence?

Yes, of course! Just use the same rules we’ve already covered.

For example:

• She has red shoes, but I have blue shoes.
• He has seen movies that have not been released yet.

You might also use the phrase «has to have» in your sentence to mean «must have»:

• She has to have the correct uniform to attend school.
• Jane is a perfectionist. She has to have everything planned down to the last detail.

What Is the Difference Between Hasn’t and Haven’t?

Hasn’t and haven’t are negative contractions of has and have. They mean «has not» and «have not» respectively.

When you use hasn’t or haven’t, it is usually to say that you have not experienced or undergone something, rather than to say that you do not own something.

Use hasn’t and haven’t with the same rules we covered before. Hasn’t goes with she / he / it and haven’t goes with I / we / you / they.

• We haven’t got any potatoes left in stock.
• The shop hasn’t got any potatoes left in stock.
• I haven’t been able to get any potatoes.
• How will you cook the dish if you haven’t got any potatoes?

Remember, if you can replace the subject of the sentence (the thing doing the having or not having) with it, use hasn’t—like with «the shop» in the example above.

What Are Some Examples of Has or Have in a Sentence?

Let’s finish up with a quick-fire round of some common phrases that use has or have.

Is It «Does Have» or «Does Has»?

It’s does have. This is because the verb to do (which turns into does, did, etc.) requires you to use the root form of any verb you put after it.

This sounds confusing, but all it means is that you need to use «have» after any version of the word «do» :

• Your plan does have its benefits.
• He does have a point.

Is It «Did It Have» or «Did It Has»?

This follows the same pattern as above. «Did» is the past tense version of the word «do,» so the answer is did it have.

• Did it have to end this way?
• Did she have a haircut?
• Did the hotel have a swimming pool?

Is It «Someone Have» or «Someone Has»?

Someone is a singular pronoun, like he or she. That means that, in most cases, we use has.

• Someone has poisoned the waterhole!

However, if you’re asking a question beginning with «Does,» you need to use have, as above:

• Does someone have time to help me with this?

Is It «Which Have» or «Which Has»?

This depends on the subject of your sentence. Remember, we only use «which» with non-human subjects.

If it is a singular subject, use which has. If it is a plural subject, use which have.

• Plural: Watches, which have always been used to tell the time, now have many other purposes.
• Singular: The bandstand, which has been standing for 100 years, is being demolished this Saturday.

Have You Got It?

Now you know how to use have and has in your sentences. Remember, before you decide which one to use, check your tense and who you’re talking about.

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