Learn English: Had

The verb had is the past tense of have and is used in several contexts. Here are the main uses of had, along with examples:

1. To Show Possession in the Past

Had is used to indicate ownership or possession of something in the past.

Examples:

I had a red bicycle when I was a child.
She had a beautiful house near the beach.
They had plenty of time to prepare for the event.

2. To Indicate Relationships in the Past

It describes past familial, social, or professional connections.

Examples:

He had many friends in college.
We had a good relationship with our neighbors.
She had two younger sisters.

3. To Describe Characteristics or Features in the Past

It refers to qualities or features something possessed in the past.

Examples:

The hotel had a swimming pool and a gym.
The cake had a delicious chocolate flavor.
The old house had a spooky appearance.

4. In the Past Perfect Tense

Had is used with the past participle of a verb to form the past perfect tense, which indicates an action that was completed before another action or point in the past.

Examples:

She had finished her homework before the guests arrived.
They had already left by the time we reached the station.
I had never seen such a beautiful sunset before that day.

5. To Express Necessity or Obligation in the Past (Had To)

When paired with "to," it expresses something that was required or necessary in the past.

Examples:

I had to wake up early for school yesterday.
They had to cancel the event due to bad weather.
She had to take an exam before applying for the job.

6. To Refer to Experiences in the Past

It describes experiences or actions completed at a certain point in the past.

Examples:

I had a great time at the party last weekend.
He had a bad experience with that restaurant.
They had fun exploring the city during their trip.

7. To Express Health Issues or Conditions in the Past

It describes health problems or conditions that existed in the past.

Examples:

I had a headache last night.
She had a cold last week.
He had a broken arm after the accident.

8. In Conditional and Hypothetical Statements

Had is used in the third conditional or past unreal situations.

Examples:

If I had known, I would have helped you.
She would have been happier if she had taken that job.
If they had studied, they would have passed the test.

9. In Idiomatic Expressions

Had is part of certain idiomatic phrases.

Examples:

We had a blast at the concert!
He had a hard time understanding the instructions.
I had no idea you were coming!

Summary of Had Usage:

Use	Examples
Possession in the past	"She had a car."
Relationships in the past	"He had a best friend in high school."
Characteristics or features in the past	"The park had a large playground."
Past perfect tense	"They had left before we arrived."
Necessity or obligation in the past	"I had to finish the report by Monday."
Experiences in the past	"We had a wonderful evening."
Health or conditions in the past	"He had a fever last night."
Conditional or hypothetical statements	"If I had known, I would have told you."

If you'd like, I can provide practice exercises or further clarification!

Here is a story which shows the different uses of had,

The Tale of Emily’s Memorable Journey

Emily was a curious traveler who loved exploring new places. One day, she recalled the adventures she had in her childhood. She had a small collection of postcards from the places she had visited with her parents. “If only I had kept a diary back then,” she thought, “I would remember even more details.”

When Emily was younger, her family had a cozy house near the countryside. The house had a beautiful garden filled with roses, and Emily had a swing tied to an old oak tree. She had so much fun playing there with her sister, Claire. They had a dog named Max who always kept them company. “Max had the friendliest bark,” Emily smiled to herself.

One summer, they decided to visit the mountains. The family had to wake up at 4 a.m. to catch the first train. Emily had a small bag packed with her favorite snacks and toys. Her parents had told her to be careful with her belongings, but by the time they reached their destination, she realized she had lost one of her toys. "If I had listened to Mom, I wouldn’t have lost it," she sighed.

The trip itself was incredible. The cabin they stayed in had a stunning view of the snow-covered peaks. The surrounding forest had tall pine trees and a crystal-clear river. Emily had never seen anything so beautiful before.

On their second day, they met an old guide who had been living in the mountains for decades. He had many stories to share about the history of the area. “I had heard about these tales before,” Emily’s dad said, “but hearing them here makes them even more fascinating.” The guide also showed them a hidden waterfall that Emily had never imagined could exist.

However, the trip wasn’t all perfect. Claire had a fever on the last day and couldn’t join the hike. Emily felt bad for her sister but made sure to take plenty of pictures to show her later. “If Claire had been with us, she would have loved this,” Emily thought.

Years later, Emily still cherished these memories. The postcards, the stories, and the lessons she had learned during those trips stayed with her. She often thought, “If I had not experienced those adventures, I wouldn’t have grown into the person I am today.”

How the Story Uses "Had":

Possession in the Past:
- "She had a small collection of postcards."
- "The house had a beautiful garden."
Characteristics/Features in the Past:
- "The cabin they stayed in had a stunning view."
- "The forest had tall pine trees."
Past Perfect Tense (Actions Completed Before Another Past Action):
- "She had visited many places with her parents."
- "By the time they reached, she realized she had lost her toy."
Necessity/Obligation in the Past (Had To):
- "The family had to wake up at 4 a.m."
Health/Condition in the Past:
- "Claire had a fever on the last day."
Hypothetical/Conditional (If... Had):
- "If I had listened, I wouldn’t have lost it."
- "If Claire had been with us, she would have loved this."