When we use Have Had ?

Question

It's the first time I've had a long break.
It's the first time I've long break.

The second one is ungrammatical.

With the present perfect, we usually say the action occurred in the very recent past, but that doesn't always apply.
In this case, we ge

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

It's the first time I've had a long break. -- OK.

It's the first time I've long break. -- ungrammatical.

Avangi · Answer

It's the first time I've had a long break.
It's the first time I've long break.

The second one is ungrammatical.

With the present perfect, we usually say the action occurred in the very recent past, but that doesn't always apply.
In this case, we get the feeling that the break is still going on.
You'll find several different approaches to defining exactly what the present perfect tense conveys.

"I have had several opportunities to join that organization" is clear on when the actions took place.

For the simple present, you might use the infinitive: This is my first time to have a long break.

There's also the present continuous: I am having a long break, for the first time!

You can say, "I have an apple," but not "I have a long break."

Perhaps, "I have a long break coming."

You can use the imperative: "Have a nice summer," but you can't say I have a nice summer.

So "have" in these examples has two meanings: to possess something, and to do something.
"To have a long break" is to do something.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you.

Avangi · Answer

To return to your present perfect question, "I have had two beers" would usually be taken as meaning that you have consumed them -
but it could conceivably mean that you possessed them in the very recent past.

In the present, the two meanings are more easily separated:
"I have a beer," means that it's in your possession.
"I'm having a beer," means that you're doing the deed, or consuming the beer.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks, Avangi.
Can I use Simple past instead of Present perfect like this one :
I saw him in class.

I've seen him in class.

Avangi"have" in these examples has two meanings: to possess something, and to do something.

Why does I have a long break is wrong by the way? To me the sentence means I possess a long break.

Anonymous · Answer

AvangiIn this case, we get the feeling that the break is still going on.

Also, I don't know why, but I feel like
It's the first time I've had a long break.
The break is over because of present prefect tense.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousCan I use Simple past instead of Present perfect like this one :
I saw him in class.
I've seen him in class.

In this context, the simple past would be taken to mean that you saw him one time (on one occasion).
The present perfect would imply that you have seen him several times.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousWhy does I have a long break is wrong by the way? To me the sentence means I possess a long break.

Yes, this is quite possible.
Someone says, "Hey, you'd better get back to work!"
You reply, "I have a long break." (That's why I haven't gone back yet.)

But this was your example sentence:
It's the first time I've long break. (It's the first time I have [a] long break.)

"This is the first time I do/have X" is not idiomatic. It may be grammatical.

You could say, "This is the first time I believe you."

I'm embarrassed to admit I'm too ****** tired to explain it!

Avangi · Answer

By the way, the angel is actually the letter "a" in brackets.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousAlso, I don't know why, but I feel like
It's the first time I've had a long break.
The break is over because of present prefect tense.

You're right again. It could work either way.

I was picturing the guy sitting down, lighting up, kicking back, and saying,
"Phew! This is the first time I've had a proper break."

Edit (Thanks, Lana)

This is the first time I've ever had an ice cream cone!

You could still be eating it, or you may have finished it.

When we use Have Had ?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions