I have had to remove it vs I had to remove it

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I have had to remove it" implies a recent action that has an impact on the present, while "I had to remove it" refers to a past action without a direct connection to the present.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 3332 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a recent action that has an impact on the present.

" I have had to remove it "

This phrase is used to express that you were required to remove something in the past, and this action has relevance or consequences in the present.

Examples:

I have had to remove it because it was causing problems.
She has had to remove all the old files to make space for the new ones.

Show examples from the web [+]

They had to remove it from the tank before it infected all the other fish.
Madam President, I entirely accept the Tindemans report, especially the points which the rapporteur has made in his speech today, and I regret that we have had to remove the section on defence policy.
In other words, many Member States would have had to remove from their national legislation provisions that in fact granted better protection to consumers.
Scott had a delayed rupture of his spleen due to the trauma, and they had to remove it.
The men here used it as a trapdoor, so we had to remove it temporarily.
You see... his transponder was damaged, so he had to remove it.
We had it in Spain and we had to remove it because it was a means of blocking the process of Community development.
Only he can command me to remove it.
Actually, Jackie, we had to remove part of your stomach.
They had to remove the one you shot.
We had to remove your ovaries and uterus.
We've had to remove all sharp objects from her room.
They had to remove quite a bit.
He confesses that he has had to remove several Saxon farmers from their lands.
Doctors had to remove the case from Bruce's wrist to operate.
He had to remove all witnesses to that night...
I had to remove him from a case that was controversial.
So you had to remove her face.
I had to remove one of Tracy's ovaries.
- They had to remove his spleen.

Alternatives:

I had to remove it recently.
I've been required to remove it.
I've had to take it out.
I've had to get rid of it.
I've had to eliminate it.

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to a past action without a direct connection to the present.

"I had to remove it"

This phrase is used to state that you were required to remove something in the past, without emphasizing a connection to the present.

Examples:

I had to remove it because it was in the way.
He had to remove all the old furniture from the room.

Show examples from the web [+]

They had to remove it from the tank before it infected all the other fish.
I had to remove him from a case that was controversial.
I had to remove one of Tracy's ovaries.
I had to remove a shoe.
Sometimes in a frenzy, that I had to remove every implement that might have harmed her.
Scott had a delayed rupture of his spleen due to the trauma, and they had to remove it.
The men here used it as a trapdoor, so we had to remove it temporarily.
You see... his transponder was damaged, so he had to remove it.
I had to remove the offending part of your brain and replace it with a donor's.
I had to remove the jawbone in order to get the dental impression, but this is definitely Barb Birk.
We were attempting to transport a tender age child to the hospital for medical treatment, and I had to remove Deluca from our path.
I had to remove my night cream, it's $200 an ounce.
It was a huge success, but I had to remove all of your teeth.
Before I could run prints, I had to remove a polymeric film coating on the victim's fingertips.
I had to remove your husband's left arm, patch his right hand.
We had it in Spain and we had to remove it because it was a means of blocking the process of Community development.
Only he can command me to remove it.
Actually, Jackie, we had to remove part of your stomach.
They had to remove the one you shot.
We had to remove your ovaries and uterus.

Alternatives:

I needed to remove it.
I was obliged to remove it.
I was forced to remove it.
I had to take it out.
I had to get rid of it.

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I have had to remove it vs I had to remove it