Use of Has Have and Had In English Grammar

Verbs are a crucial component of any language, providing the backbone for sentences and conveying action, state of being, and more. In English, one important aspect of verb usage is the use of auxiliary verbs, which help to indicate tense, voice, and mood. Three such auxiliary verbs are ‘has,’ ‘have,’ and ‘had,’ which are commonly used to form the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect tenses. In this article, we’ll explore the various uses and functions of these three auxiliary verbs, providing clear examples and tips for mastering their usage in your writing and speech.

Use of Has Had and Have

The verbs “has,” “have,” and “had” are all forms of the verb “to have,” which is used to indicate possession or ownership. However, these three words have slightly different uses in English grammar. These verbs can also be used as auxiliary verbs to form various verb tenses. By understanding the correct usage of “has,” “have,” and “had,” you can improve your English grammar and make your writing and speech more clear and effective. Let’s explore the use of “has,” “have,” and “had” in detail, with examples.

Indicating Possession or Ownership

“Have” is used with the pronouns “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they” to indicate possession or ownership in the present tense. For example:

• I have a cat.
• You have a new car.
• We have a lot of experience in the banking field.
• They have three children.

“Has” is the third person singular form of “to have,” and is used with the pronouns “he,” “she,” and “it” to indicate possession in the present tense. For example:

• He has a big house.
• She has a lot of talent.
• It has a new engine.

“Had” is the past tense of “to have,” and is used to indicate possession in the past tense. For example:

• I had a dog when I was a kid.
• They had a party last night.
• She had a lot of fun on her recent vacation.

Auxiliary Verbs for Verb Tenses

In addition to indicating possession, “has,” “have,” and “had” can also be used as auxiliary verbs to form various verb tenses. For example:

• I have eaten sushi before (present perfect tense)
• I had eaten sushi before I became vegetarian (past perfect tense)
• I will have eaten sushi by the time I leave Japan (future perfect tense)

Use of Has and Have in Present Perfect Tense

The auxiliary verbs has and have are used in the present perfect tense to express an action that began in the past and continues into the present or is recently completed. For example:

1. She has studied Spanish for five years.
   • Indicates that her study of Spanish began in the past and is ongoing.
2. They have known each other since childhood.
   • Highlights a relationship that began in the past and continues into the present.
3. He has visited that museum before.
   • Suggests that he visited the museum at least once in the past.
4. They have completed the project.
   • Indicates recent completed action.

Use of Had in Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to talk about something that happened before another event or action in the past. The auxiliary verb “had” is important in constructing sentences in the past perfect tense. For example: “By the time they arrived, I had already left.” This example effectively showcases the use of “had” to indicate completed actions before another past action.

1. By the time the movie started, they had already bought their tickets.
2. When we reached the party, most of the guests had already left.
3. The team had practiced thoroughly before the championship game.

Use of Have in Future Perfect Tense

The future perfect tense is used to indicate an action that will be completed at some point in the future before another future time. In this tense, the auxiliary verb “will have” is used, and it is combined with the past participle of the main verb. For example: “By next year, he will have graduated.” Here the use of “will have” conveys the completion of actions before a future time.

• By the time we meet again, I will have completed my degree.
• In five years, they will have traveled to all seven continents.
• By the end of the month, she will have finished writing her novel.
• We will have finished our work by the time you arrive.

Use of Have in Present Simple Tense

In the present simple tense, “have” is used to indicate habitual actions. For example: “I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning.” In this example, the use of “have” indicates a habitual action—drinking a cup of coffee in the morning.

• We have lunch at 12:30 every day.
• They have dinner together as a family every evening.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Has, Have, and Had in English Grammar: