"had" vs "Have"

Question

"had" vs "Have"

The choice between 'have' and 'had' depends on the context and tense of the sentence. 'Have' is used in present perfect tense, while 'had' is used in past perfect tense. Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

Use 'had' when you are talking about actions that were completed before a specific time in the past, such as 'She had already left when I arrived.'

Examples:

He had finished his work before the deadline.
She had never been to that restaurant before.
They had already left when we got there.

Alternatives:

He had completed his work before the deadline.
She had not visited that restaurant before.
They had left already when we arrived.

Use 'have' when you are talking about actions that started in the past and continue into the present, such as 'I have finished my homework.'

Examples:

I have visited Paris before.
She has already eaten lunch.
They have lived in this city for five years.

Alternatives:

I have been to Paris before.
She has eaten lunch already.
They have been living in this city for five years.

Answer 1

had

The word 'had' is correct when used in past perfect tense to indicate actions that were completed before a certain point in the past.

Answer 2

Have

The word 'have' is correct when used in present perfect tense to indicate actions that started in the past and continue into the present.

"had" vs "Have"

had

Have

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