he has has

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has has" is not correct in standard written English.
It may occur in specific contexts, such as when using the present perfect tense in a sentence that requires repetition for emphasis or clarification. Example: "He has has a difficult time adjusting to the new environment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The technical skill he has has.

The New York Times

He has has denied any involvement in Mr. Rothschild's death.

The New York Times

In this campaign, he has has been unambiguous in his support of abortion rights.

The New York Times

He has has an annual budget of $414 million and employs 3,600 people.

The New York Times

He has has listed 10 reasons in a post for Comment is free.

The Guardian

He has has since been jailed again, on what are widely viewed as trumped-up charges.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He has had many affairs.

The New Yorker

He has had huge success.

The Economist

He has had few takers.

The New York Times

He has had a hernia.

The Economist

He has had dozens since.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your writing for repeated auxiliary verbs like "has" to avoid grammatical errors. Use "he has had" instead of "he has has".

Common error

Avoid using the auxiliary verb "has" twice in a row. This typically occurs when the present perfect tense is required, but the construction becomes redundant. Always use "he has had" to signify that someone experienced something or possessed something in the past up to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has has" is grammatically incorrect as it involves the redundant use of the auxiliary verb 'has'. Correct usage requires "he has had", as shown by Ludwig. Ludwig indicates that while examples exist, it's not standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has has" is grammatically incorrect due to the redundant use of the auxiliary verb 'has'. According to Ludwig, although this construction appears in multiple sources, it doesn't conform to standard English grammar rules. The correct form is "he has had". Despite its presence in common sources like News & Media, it should be avoided in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has had

Corrects the grammatical error by using the proper auxiliary verb conjugation.

he's had

A contraction of 'he has had', providing a more conversational alternative.

he experienced

Replaces the phrase with a verb that conveys the idea of undergoing or encountering something.

he's undergone

A more formal way of saying 'he has experienced'.

he possesses

Replaces "has" with "possesses", focusing on ownership or attributes.

he's demonstrated

Expresses showing a skill or quality.

he's displayed

Similar to 'demonstrated' but focuses on showcasing something.

he's acquired

Suggests gaining something, whether tangible or intangible.

he's obtained

Synonymous with 'acquired' but may imply more effort or process.

he commands

Implies control or authority over something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "has" in the present perfect tense?

The correct form is "has had", not "he has has". For example, "he has had a long day" is correct.

When is it appropriate to repeat words in a sentence for emphasis?

While repetition can be used for emphasis, repeating auxiliary verbs like "has" is generally not grammatically correct. Instead, use other intensifying words or rephrase the sentence.

What are some alternatives to "he has has" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "he has had", "he experienced", or "he underwent", depending on the intended context.

Which is correct, "he has has" or "he has had"?

"He has had" is the grammatically correct form. "He has has" is generally considered an error in standard English.