had them

USAGE SUMMARY

"had them" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used as part of the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that was completed before another past action. For example: - I had already finished my homework when my friends arrived. (In this sentence, "had finished" is the past perfect form of "finish" and "them" refers to the homework that was completed.) - She had told them about her trip before they left for their vacation. (In this sentence, "had told" is the past perfect form of "tell" and "them" refers to the people who were informed about the trip.) - They had seen the movie three times before it was released on DVD. (In this sentence, "had seen" is the past perfect form of "see" and "them" refers to the movie.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They had them framed.

The New York Times

Then he had them.

The New Yorker

They've always had them.

The New Yorker

"But he had them".

The New York Times

Tanny had them all.

The New York Times

But I've had them.

The New York Times

He had them fixed.

The New York Times

He had them.

The New York Times

Fischer never had them.

The New York Times - Books

"I had them all".

The New York Times

They already had them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had them" to indicate a state of possession or experience that existed in the past, especially when contrasting it with a later state.

Common error

Avoid using "had them" when simple past tense suffices. For example, instead of "He had them", use "He possessed them" or "He owned them" to achieve a clearer tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had them" primarily functions as part of the past perfect tense, indicating an action or state completed before another point in the past. Ludwig examples showcase its use in expressing possession, experience, or control. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

The New Yorker

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

BBC

4%

The Guardian

4%

Los Angeles Times

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had them" is a versatile phrase commonly used to express past possession, experience, or control. Ludwig's analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives like "possessed them" in academic or professional writing. Ludwig AI also provides relevant examples. Remember to ensure clarity in referencing "them" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessed them

Replaces "had" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing ownership.

owned them

Similar to 'possessed them', focusing on the legal or rightful ownership.

was in possession of them

More verbose way of expressing ownership or control.

experienced them

Shifts the focus to having undergone certain events or feelings.

controlled them

Emphasizes the ability to direct or manage something.

kept them

Highlights the act of maintaining possession over time.

maintained them

Focuses on preserving or upholding something.

secured them

Highlights the act of obtaining or making something safe.

obtained them

Focuses on the act of acquiring or gaining possession.

acquired them

Similar to 'obtained them', implying a more formal or complex process of gaining possession.

FAQs

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

Use "had them" to indicate past possession or experience, as in "She "had them" framed" or "They've always "had them"".

What phrases are similar to "had them"?

Alternatives include "possessed them", "owned them", or "controlled them", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is it correct to say "had them" in formal writing?

Yes, "had them" is grammatically correct, but consider using more formal alternatives like "possessed them" or "was in possession of them" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "had them" and "used to have them"?

"Had them" indicates past possession, while "used to have them" implies that the possession is no longer current. For example, "I "had them"" versus "I "used to have them"".