They had

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "They had" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or experience in the past, often followed by a noun or a past participle. Example: "They had a wonderful time at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had a blast.

The New York Times

They had their chances.

The New York Times

They had rules.

The New York Times - Sports

They had the pitching.

The New York Times - Sports

They had everything.

The New York Times

They had presence.

The New York Times - Food

They had hits.

The New Yorker

They had only kissed!

The New Yorker

They had none.

The New York Times

They had a cause.

The New York Times

They had decided.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "They had" with vivid adjectives to create a stronger image in the reader's mind. For example, instead of "They had a car", try "They had a vintage, cherry-red convertible".

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses abruptly after using "They had". Ensure the rest of the sentence and subsequent sentences maintain a consistent past tense to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

"They had" functions primarily as a past tense construction, indicating possession, experience, or a state that existed in the past. As Ludwig confirms, this construction is grammatically sound. For instance, "They had a blast" illustrates a past experience, while "They had rules" shows past expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "They had" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to indicate possession, experience, or a state of being in the past. According to Ludwig, its function is clear and straightforward. It is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "They possessed" or "They experienced", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain tense consistency when using "They had" and consider adding vivid adjectives to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

They used to have

Indicates a habitual or repeated possession in the past.

They once had

Adds a sense of past ownership that no longer exists.

They possessed

Emphasizes ownership or control, rather than general experience or characteristic.

They experienced

Focuses on undergoing or feeling something, rather than simply possessing it.

They were in possession of

More formal way to indicate ownership or control.

They were equipped with

Highlights the provision or furnishing of something necessary.

They enjoyed

Implies pleasure or benefit derived from something.

It was theirs

Shifts focus to the belonging of something to them.

They were the owners of

Stresses the legal aspect of ownership.

They were granted

Suggests permission or formal authorization to possess something.

FAQs

How can I use "They had" in a sentence?

Use "They had" to indicate possession, experience, or a state of being in the past. For example, "They had a great time at the party" or "They had already finished their work".

What are some alternatives to "They had"?

Alternatives include phrases like "They possessed", "They experienced", or "They used to have", depending on the intended meaning. Consider "They possessed" when referring to something owned and "They experienced" when talking about situations.

What is the difference between "They had" and "They have"?

"They had" refers to something in the past, while "They have" refers to something in the present. For instance, "They had a dog" means they owned a dog in the past, while "They have a dog" means they currently own one.

Is it correct to say "They had went" instead of "They had gone"?

No, "They had went" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of "go" to use with "They had" is "gone". The correct sentence is "They had gone".