Have had/had had - Grammar.

Question

Wants to know when will we use 'have had'/'had had'/only 'have' and only 'had.
Like I have seen people say, " I have just had my dinner"
Can't it be said as, " I just had my dinner". Since it's now past so won't we use 'had' instead of 'have had'?

Thanks.

Cyfi · Accepted Answer

I personally use "I just had my dinner" and "I have just had my dinner" interchangeably. One reason to use the extra "have" is that "just" can also mean "only", so the "have" can clarify that it means "happened recently".

1. "I have dinner" -> present or habitual event (i.e.: "I have dinner with my neighbor every day")
2. "I just had dinner"/"I have just had my dinner" -> Very recently. Often 5 minutes or less in past (i.e.: "I would love to eat that chicken, but I have just had dinner.")
3. "I have had dinner" -> Recently. Often 5 minutes to a day in past (i.e.: "You don't need to buy me dinner, I have had it already")
4. "I had had dinner" -> A while ago. Often over a day in the past, usually used as set up for other events (i.e.: "Yesterday, I had had my dinner, when I heard a knock on the door")
5. "I had dinner" -> Could be any time in the past (i.e.: "I had dinner long ago.")

I hope this helps.

JimmyH · Answer

So we will use 'just have had' if a particular action had occurred like 5 mins ago?
'Have had' when a particular action occurred over 5 mins ago?
Like, I ate my dinner at 9:00. and if any one asks me when did you have your dinner after like 10 minutes, I should say "I have had my dinner at 9" and not "I have just had my dinner" or "I had had dinner". Am I right?

Also, we would use 'had had' or simple "had" when an action occurred long time back in past?

Asked these questions to even clarify my remaining doubts. Much appreciated.

Look forward to receiving your reply.

Anonymous · Answer

How to say that , yesterday we had a wonderfull dinner with family

Have had/had had - Grammar.

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