had him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in the past perfect tense to indicate that someone owned or possessed something in the past. For example, "The grandfather had him since he was a baby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We had him trapped.

The New York Times - Sports

But they had him.

The New Yorker

Twice had him in".

The New York Times

We had him before?

Yale University

Mr. Ebers had him covered.

The New York Times

Eventually heroin had him completely.

The New York Times

"I had him," Rosenthal says.

The New Yorker

You had him," says gribbon.

The New Yorker

They already had him.

The Guardian - Sport

She had him!

The Washington Post

I already had him warming up".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had him", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to possession, control, or a specific action performed on the person. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had him" in contexts where it could be misconstrued as disrespectful or objectifying. Choose more specific language to ensure clarity and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had him" functions primarily as a verb phrase within a sentence. It indicates possession, control, or a completed action in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had him" is a versatile and frequently used expression that can indicate possession, control, or a completed action involving the subject and another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears commonly in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using "had him", consider the surrounding context to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "possessed him" or "controlled him" may provide a more precise or formal tone depending on the situation. The phrase's widespread use across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

controlled him

Substitutes "had" with "controlled", highlighting dominance or influence.

possessed him

Replaces "had" with "possessed", emphasizing ownership or control.

dominated him

Focuses on a position of power and authority.

captured him

Focuses on the act of seizing or taking into custody.

overpowered him

Emphasizes physical or strategic dominance.

secured him

Highlights the action of making sure that he is under control

defeated him

Replaces the phrase with an emphasis on winning or overcoming.

bested him

Suggests superiority or outperformance over another person.

maintained control over him

Expands the phrase to emphasize continuous command.

influenced him

Implies a level of sway or control over someone's actions or thoughts.

FAQs

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

You can use "had him" to indicate possession (e.g., "She "had him" since he was a baby"), control (e.g., "The general "had him" under his command"), or a specific action performed on someone (e.g., "The police "had him" arrested").

What are some alternatives to saying "had him"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "possessed him", "controlled him", "defeated him", or "captured him". Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "had him" in formal writing?

While "had him" is grammatically correct, its formality depends on the context. In more formal or professional settings, consider using more precise language that clearly conveys the intended meaning without any ambiguity.

What's the difference between "had him" and "has him"?

"Had him" is used in the past tense to describe a situation that existed in the past, while "has him" is used in the present tense to describe a current situation. For example, "She "had him" yesterday" versus "She "has him" now".