When it comes to using the right verb tense in American English, the distinction between ‘had’ and ‘has’ is essential. These forms of the verb ‘to have’ are often used as auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses. But when should we use ‘had’ and when should we use ‘has’? Let’s dive in and explore the difference!
Key Takeaways:
- ‘Has’ is used with a past participle to form the Present Perfect tense, indicating an action that began in the past and continues into the present.
- ‘Had’ is used with a past participle to form the Past Perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed in the past before another action took place.
- ‘Had’ can also be used to indicate a possibility or condition that could have occurred differently in the past.
- Both ‘has’ and ‘had’ are also utilized in continuous tenses to convey ongoing actions in the past.
- Understanding the proper usage of ‘had’ and ‘has’ is crucial for effective communication in American English.
Present Perfect with ‘Has’
The present perfect tense is formed by using ‘has’ with a past participle. This tense is used to indicate an action that began in the past but continues into the present. For example, in the sentence “My father has driven a school bus for three years,” ‘has driven’ shows that the action of driving a school bus started in the past and is still ongoing. Similarly, in the sentence “It has been raining ever since the morning,” ‘has been raining’ indicates that the rain started in the past and is still happening in the present.
Using the present perfect tense with ‘has’ allows us to express ongoing actions and situations that have a connection to the present. It emphasizes the duration or continuing nature of the action or state. This tense is commonly used when talking about experiences, achievements, or actions that have an impact on the present moment. It helps us link past events to the current situation or discuss how past actions have influenced the present.
“My father has cooked delicious meals all his life, and he continues to do so.”
This example showcases the use of the present perfect tense with ‘has’ in the context of ongoing culinary skills. The use of ‘has cooked’ indicates that the action of cooking started in the past and is still happening, emphasizing the continuous nature of the skill.
Present Perfect with ‘Has’ – Examples:
Here are some more examples of the present perfect tense with ‘has’ in action:
- She has lived in New York for ten years.
- They have traveled to many countries around the world.
- I have known him since we were children.
- He has worked at the company for over a decade.
These examples demonstrate how ‘has’ is used to indicate ongoing actions or experiences that started in the past and have a connection to the present.
| Action | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Drive | My father has driven a school bus for three years. |
| Rain | It has been raining ever since the morning. |
| Cook | My father has cooked delicious meals all his life, and he continues to do so. |
Past Perfect with ‘Had’
The past perfect tense, formed with ‘had’ and a past participle, is used to indicate an action that was completed in the past before another action took place. It helps to establish a chronological relationship between two past events. For example:
“He had studied well during his childhood days.”
In this sentence, ‘had studied’ shows that the studying occurred in the past and was completed before the present moment. The emphasis is on the completion of the studying before another event or point in time.
Another example is:
“Arnold had painted the garage when his friends arrived.”
Here, ‘had painted’ indicates that the painting of the garage was finished before his friends arrived. The action of painting occurred in the past, and its completion is highlighted by ‘had’.
Furthermore, the past perfect tense can also be used to indicate an ongoing action in the past that continued until a later moment. For instance:
“He had been telling the truth, but none listened to him.”
In this sentence, ‘had been telling’ showcases that the truth-telling started in the past and continued until a later moment, in this case, when nobody listened. The emphasis is on the duration of the action.
Understanding the usage of ‘had’ in the past perfect tense is important for conveying the sequence of events and emphasizing completion or duration in the past.
Usage of ‘Had’ to indicate a possibility
Apart from being used in the past perfect tense, ‘had’ can also indicate a possibility in certain contexts. For example, in the sentence “Had he come a bit earlier, he could have caught the plane,” ‘had come’ implies that if he had arrived earlier, there was a possibility of catching the plane. Similarly, in the sentence “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake,” ‘had known’ expresses that if the speaker had been aware of the person’s arrival, a cake would have been baked. This usage of ‘had’ denotes a hypothetical or unrealized condition.
This usage of ‘had’ showcases the possibility of events happening differently in the past. It introduces a sense of regret or missed opportunity. By using ‘had’ in this context, writers and speakers can explore alternative outcomes and express their thoughts on what might have been. It adds depth to storytelling and allows for the exploration of different scenarios.
“Had he come a bit earlier, he could have caught the plane.”
“If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.”
In these examples, the usage of ‘had’ highlights alternative possibilities and emphasizes the impact they would have had on the outcome. It invites readers and listeners to imagine different scenarios and consider the potential consequences of different choices or actions.
Examples of ‘Had’ indicating a possibility:
- Had I studied harder, I could have passed the exam.
- If she had taken the job offer, she would have earned a higher salary.
- He would have been happier if he had pursued his passion.
These examples demonstrate how ‘had’ can be used to convey unrealized possibilities. By reflecting on what could have been, speakers and writers can explore the consequences of different choices and the impact they would have had on the present.
Continuous Tenses with ‘Has’ and ‘Had’
The continuous tenses in English, both present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous, provide a way to describe ongoing actions or situations in the past with the help of the auxiliary verbs ‘has’ and ‘had’. These tenses convey the duration and continuity of an action or event, adding depth and context to the narrative. Let’s explore how ‘has’ and ‘had’ are used in these continuous tenses.
Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous tense is formed by combining ‘has’ with the present participle (-ing form) of a verb. This tense is used to describe actions or states that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. For example, consider the sentence “Tricia has been standing on the corner waiting for an hour.” Here, ‘has been standing’ shows that Tricia started standing on the corner in the past, and she is still waiting in the present. The continuous aspect emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action.
Past Perfect Continuous
In contrast, the past perfect continuous tense is formed by using ‘had’ with the past participle (-ed form) of a verb. This tense describes actions or states that started in the past and continued up until a specific point in the past. For instance, the sentence “By the time he finally arrived, Tricia had been standing on the corner for an hour” showcases the usage of ‘had been standing’. It suggests that Tricia had been waiting on the corner for an extended period of time before the arrival of the other person.
The present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous tenses allow us to convey a sense of ongoing activities or events in relation to a specific time in the past. They offer a more nuanced understanding of the duration and continuity of actions, enabling us to paint a vivid picture of past experiences.
Conclusion
Understanding the grammar usage of ‘had’ and ‘has’ is essential for accurate communication. These two forms of the verb ‘to have’ play different roles in constructing various tenses in American English.
‘Has’ is used in the present perfect tense to indicate ongoing actions that started in the past and continue into the present. On the other hand, ‘had’ is utilized in the past perfect tense to express actions that were completed before another action in the past.
‘Had’ can also indicate a possibility or condition that could have occurred differently in the past. By mastering the distinction between ‘had’ and ‘has’ in such contexts, individuals can effectively convey hypothetical or unrealized conditions.
In addition, both ‘has’ and ‘had’ are utilized in continuous tenses to convey ongoing actions in the past. By understanding and applying these grammar rules, individuals can communicate accurately, avoiding common mistakes in their writing and speech.
FAQ
What is the difference between ‘had’ and ‘has’?
‘Had’ is used in the past perfect tense to indicate an action that was completed in the past before another action took place. ‘Has’ is used in the present perfect tense to indicate an action that began in the past and continues into the present.
When do I use ‘has’?
‘Has’ is used with a past participle to form the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and is ongoing in the present. For example, “My father has driven a school bus for three years.”
How do I use ‘had’?
‘Had’ is used with a past participle to form the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed in the past before another action took place. For example, “He had studied well during his childhood days.”
Can ‘had’ indicate a possibility?
Yes, in certain contexts, ‘had’ can indicate a hypothetical or unrealized condition. For example, “Had he come a bit earlier, he could have caught the plane.”
How are ‘has’ and ‘had’ used in continuous tenses?
‘Has’ is used in the present perfect continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. ‘Had’ is used in the past perfect continuous tense to demonstrate an action that started in the past and continued until a later moment, also in the past.
What are some examples of sentences using ‘had’ and ‘has’?
Examples include “It has been raining ever since the morning” and “He had been telling the truth, but no one listened to him.”
How can I use ‘had’ and ‘has’ correctly in my writing?
To communicate effectively and avoid grammar mistakes, it is important to understand the proper usage of ‘had’ and ‘has’ in different tenses and contexts. Practice using them in sentences and pay attention to the timeframe and completion of actions.
