Mastering the Use of 'Have', 'Has', and 'Had' in Sentences
Understanding the correct usage of 'have', 'has', and 'had' in English sentences is crucial for effective communication. These forms of the verb 'to be' are essential for expressing various tenses and subject-predicate agreement. In this guide, we will explore the different uses and provide examples to help you master these important aspects of English grammar.
When to Use 'Have'
'Have' is used primarily with the pronouns I, you, we, and they. It is used to express the present tense. Here is a detailed breakdown:
Usage of 'Have'
Usage: Used with the pronouns I, you, we, and they.
Tense: Present tense.
Examples:
I have a book.
We have to go to the meeting right now.
They have finished their homework.
When to Use 'Has'
'Has' is used with the third-person singular subjects such as he, she, and it. It is also employed in the present tense to indicate possession or action.
Usage of 'Has'
Usage: Used with the third-person singular subjects he, she, it.
Tense: Present tense.
Examples:
She has a cat.
It has rained all day.
He has to clean his room.
When to Use 'Had'
'Had' is the past tense form of 'to have'. It is used to express past actions or states of being.
Usage of 'Had'
Usage: Used for all subjects in the past tense.
Tense: Past tense.
Examples:
I had a car when I was younger.
They had finished their work before the deadline.
She had a picnic in the park yesterday.
Challenges and Solutions
While 'have', 'has', and 'had' are relatively straightforward, there are some common challenges. One such challenge is the use of 'have had' in past perfect tense. This tense is used to express an action that occurred before another past event, and it often requires the use of 'had' before 'have had'.
Example:
They have had a terrible vacation this year. It has rained every day they have been camped in the woods.
Another challenge is the correct use of 'have' and 'has' after 'he' and 'she' in American English. According to grammatical rules, 'he has had' and 'she has had' are correct, while 'he have had' and 'she have had' are not. This inconsistency can be frustrating, but it is important to adhere to these rules for clarity and correctness.
Example:
He has had his breakfast.
She has had her breakfast.
They have had their breakfast.
Practice Exercises
Now that you have a better understanding of 'have', 'has', and 'had', test your knowledge with the following examples:
Exercise A: Choose 'have' from the list.
I.
A. I have a new black and white puppy.
B. We have to decorate the boys’ gym for the basketball playoff games.
C. Mrs. Shiplett have a big beautiful new granddaughter she weighed in at 10lbs and 6ozs.
Exercise B: Choose 'has' from the list.
II.
A. My orange crippled kitty has too many fleas. She is getting a treatment today.
B. The wall by the windows has curtains which are too long they look totally unbalanced for the area.
C. The green folder has all current and updated information on each student.
Exercise C: Choose 'had' from the list.
III.
A. My classroom had a moldy and stale smell after 3 weeks of everyday rain.
B. The overweight politician had a hard time going up the airplane’s steps!
C. Running across the newly mowed lawn I had to get to the telephone call.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of 'have', 'has', and 'had' is essential for effective communication in English. Whether you are expressing the present or the past, these forms play a crucial role in conveying your intended meaning accurately. By following the rules and practicing regularly, you can greatly improve your English writing and speaking skills.