had or had had?

[colinw]

Mum had made the dinner. John has had his dinner. Mary had had her dinner before the power cut. Leo may have had too much dinner.

When and why do I use had, had had, has had and have had?

[Teia]

Originally Posted by colinw

Mum had made the dinner. John has had his dinner. Mary had had her dinner before the power cut. Leo may have had too much dinner.

When and why do I use had, had had, has had and have had?

Hi

had -past tense simple of "have"
finished action
e.g. I had dinner at 8 last night.

has/have had - present perfect simple
unfinished or recently finished action
e.g. Have you had your lunch? Not yet.
She has done her homework this morning.

had had- past perfect simple
action finished in the past before another action in the past.
e.g. I had had my dinner when mother came home.