Had had

Question

When do we use 'had had'? Besides that, how can I put 'had had' into 'if...,then' sentence I don't get it... Please tell me that, thanks.{EDITED to give thread a title that made sense}

Avangi · Accepted Answer

It's the past perfect of the verb "to have." One "had" is the main verb, and the other is a helping verb.

I have a headache.

I will have a headache.

I am going to have a headache. (very soon)

I am having a headache.

I had a headache.

I was having a headache.

I had had a headache.

I didn't finish my work because even before I started, I had had a headache.

Had you had a headache before that?

If I had had to explain to everyone what I was doing, then there wouldn't have been time to save her life. ("to have to" is also an idiom here)

If I had had a spare tire, then I woundn't have been late for work.

(We understand this means "before my tire went flat.")
"Then I wouldn't be late for work" would also be okay here.

Like all past perfects, there needs to be a simple past tense reference point.
When you're required to begin your sentence with the past perfect, the reference must come later in the sentence.

If I had had a good job before I met you, then you might have had a better opinion of me.

CalifJim · Answer

I take
I took
I have taken
I had taken

I see
I saw
I have seen
I had seen

I go
I went
I have gone
I had gone

I have
I had
I have had
I had had

If I had had the time, I would have gone to that shop.

If I had gone there, I would have seen the watch.
If I had seen it, I would have wanted it.
If I had had enough money, I would have bought it.
If I had bought it then, I would have it now.

CJ

Grammar Glitch · Answer

Yes, I agree that "had had" would be the past perfect of "to have." Here is additional explanation:

Use "had had" when you are talking about something that takes place in the past but also BEFORE something else in the past, as in these example sentences:

1. I had had my hearing tested twice before I flew to London.

2. Sharon had had pneumonis as a child, but she did not realize that there were lingering effects.

Hope this is of help.

Had had

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