Welcome! Today we'll learn about the differences between 'have', 'has', and 'had'. These are all forms of the verb 'to have', but they're used in different situations depending on the tense and the subject of the sentence. Understanding when to use each form is essential for proper English grammar.
Let's start with 'have'. This is the base form of the verb and is used in the present tense with the subjects I, you, we, they, and plural nouns. For example: 'I have a car', 'You have good ideas', 'We have finished our work'. Notice that 'have' is also used as an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses, like 'We have finished' or 'They have been waiting'.
Now let's look at 'has'. This form is used in the present tense with third-person singular subjects: he, she, it, and singular nouns. For example: 'He has a dog', 'She has finished her homework', 'It has been raining'. Notice that 'has' is also used as an auxiliary verb in the present perfect tense with these same subjects, like 'The cat has eaten' or 'John has arrived'.
Finally, let's examine 'had'. This is the past tense form of 'to have' and is used with all subjects - I, you, he, she, it, we, they, and all nouns. For example: 'I had a meeting yesterday', 'The team had won the game'. 'Had' is also used as an auxiliary verb in past perfect tenses, like 'She had finished before noon' or 'They had been waiting for hours'.
Let's summarize what we've learned. 'Have' is used in present tense with I, you, we, they, and plural nouns. 'Has' is used in present tense with he, she, it, and singular nouns. 'Had' is the past tense form used with all subjects. The key is to remember that your choice depends on both the tense you want to express and the subject of your sentence. Master these rules, and you'll use these verbs correctly every time!