[Grammar] I have had

[Checkmate]

I rarely say "have had" and "had had" because it sounds weird to me. So, Could I say:

"I had some practice before"

Instead of either

"I have had some practice before"

or

"I had had some practice before" (With another past event)

Could it be wrong?

 

[Raymott]

Yes, it could be wrong. You will need all of those forms if you are going to speak English. They will become easier once you get more practice using the various tenses.

 

[Checkmate]

Yes, it could be wrong. You will need all of those forms if you are going to speak English. They will become easier once you get more practice using the various tenses.

In my opinion, I could say either "I have had" or "I had" in a conversation. But I can't say "I had" instead of "I had had".

Example,

"I had some practice before"

It will be wrong If I say,

"I had some practice before I quit last year"

Am I right?

 

[Matthew Wai]

The simple past is not wrong because of the word 'before'.

Not a teacher.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Checkmate:

Yes, I agree with you that "had had" sounds rather "weird."

I have noticed that many American speakers handle this "problem" in two ways:

1. They use a contraction: "I'd had dinner before you came." (It sounds better, doesn't it?)

2. As Mr. Wai reminded us, they "break the rule": "I had dinner before you came." (No one will misunderstand you.)



James

 

[Checkmate]

Well, "I have/had had dinner" and "I have/had eaten dinner" have same meaning. What could this sentence be?

"I have/had had some practice before"

 

[Matthew Wai]

Do you mean 'I have done some practice before'?

Not a teacher.