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. Example: "They had a wonderful time at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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

When using "they had", ensure the context clearly establishes who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "they had" when the context requires a different tense. For example, don't use "they had" if the action is still ongoing; use "they have" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they had" functions primarily as a past tense construction, indicating possession, experience, or a state that existed in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they had" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate possession, experience, or a state of being in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English across various contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals that it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, demonstrating its versatility in conveying past events and situations. While alternatives like "they possessed" or "they experienced" exist, the choice depends heavily on the specific context. When using "they had", clarity is key to ensuring readers understand the intended meaning and avoiding any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they possessed

Replaces "had" with a more formal synonym, "possessed".

they experienced

Shifts the meaning to focus on an experience rather than possession.

they were in possession of

Adds a more descriptive and formal way to express possession.

they were given

Indicates that they received something.

they were holding

Suggests a temporary possession.

they enjoyed

Conveys a positive experience or benefit.

they went through

Emphasizes an experience, often challenging.

they underwent

Similar to "they went through" but more formal.

they were the owners of

A more formal and specific way to indicate ownership.

they were responsible for

Indicates accountability or control, rather than simple possession.

FAQs

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

Use "they had" to indicate possession, experience, or a past state. For example, "They had a great time" shows a past experience.

What are some alternatives to "they had"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they possessed", "they experienced", or "they were in possession of".

Which is correct: "they had" or "they have"?

The correct choice depends on the time frame. Use "they had" for past events and "they have" for current or ongoing situations.

What's the difference between "they had" and "they've had"?

"They had" refers to a completed action in the past, while "they've had" (they have had) indicates a past action with relevance to the present.