American English
/hæd̚/
One syllable.
Form of have
Had is both the past form and the past participle of have.
Used before a past participle to show that one past action happened before another past event.
“Had” is usually pronounced “had” (/hæd/) when said alone or with emphasis. In natural connected speech, it often becomes “’ud” (/əd̚/) when it is not emphasized.
Used before a past participle to show that one past action happened before another past event.
I had already finished the report when my manager called.
They had left before the train arrived.
Used with to and another verb to say that something was necessary.
I had to cancel the appointment.
She has had to work late this week.
It means that someone owned, held, or kept something.
She had two brothers.
I have had this car for five years.
It means that someone was connected to another person as family or a partner.
She had two brothers.
I have had two brothers all my life.
to own or possess something
I've got two sisters.
to enjoy yourself
We had a good time at the concert.
to be related to something
The delay had something to do with the weather.
Has and had are irregular. In having, the final e disappears.