English grammar can become confusing when two phrases look almost identical but express different ideas. Mastering having vs having had starts with understanding how these forms express time and sequence. This guide to having vs having had explains a common grammar question about how English expresses time and sequence. At first glance, the extra word had may seem unnecessary. You may even wonder whether “having had” is simply a longer version of “having.” In fact, both forms are correct, but they do different jobs.
The key is time and meaning. “Having” can describe an action happening at the same time as another action, or it can work as a gerund meaning an activity or state. “Having had” is a perfect participle construction. It usually shows that something happened or was completed before another action.
For example, compare these two sentences:
- Having dinner, I answered my emails.
- Having had dinner, I answered my emails.
The first suggests that I answered my emails while eating. The second suggests that I finished dinner first and answered my emails afterward.
Once you understand this small difference, mastering having vs having had becomes much easier. This guide explains the rules, examples, common mistakes, and practical uses in simple US English. Input vs Imput | Heard vs Herd vs Hurd | Company-Wide vs Companywide
Quick Answer: Having vs Having Had
“Having” is used when the action or state is happening, continuing, or being treated as an activity. “Having had” is used when you want to show that an earlier experience, possession, or action was completed before another event.
A simple memory trick is:
Having = during or as an activity
Having had = before another action
For example:
- Having lunch, she checked her phone. → She checked it while eating.
- Having had lunch, she checked her phone. → She checked it after lunch.
Both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the timeline you want to express.
Understanding the Basics: Having vs Having Had
To master having vs having had, first understand what each form contains.
Having is the present participle of have. Merriam-Webster lists having as the present participle of have. The dictionary also identifies had as both the past tense and past participle of have.
Having had combines having with the past participle had. In a participial construction, this form is commonly called a perfect participle. Perfect participle clauses are useful when the action in the participle clause happened before the action in the main clause. The British Council describes this function directly in its guidance on participle clauses.
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Having | Present participle / gerund form | An action, activity, or state | Having lunch, I read the news. | Correct |
| Having | Participle clause | An action occurring around the same time as another | Having coffee, she checked her messages. | Correct |
| Having had | Perfect participle | An earlier completed action or experience | Having had lunch, we left. | Correct |
| Having had | Gerund phrase | An earlier experience or possession | He apologized for having had doubts. | Correct |
| Having had | Used without a suitable meaning or structure | Can become unnecessary or incorrect | Having had studied, she passed. | Incorrect |
| Having had | Perfect participle | One earlier event before another | Having had enough time, they finished the task. | Correct |
The most important point is that having had is not simply a stronger version of having. It changes the relationship between the two actions.
What Does “Having” Mean?
The word having can perform several grammatical jobs.
Having as a Present Participle
When having begins a participial phrase, it can describe an action happening around the same time as the main action.
Consider:
Having breakfast, I watched the news.
The phrase having breakfast tells us what I was doing while I watched the news.
Another example:
Having coffee, Maria checked her phone.
This normally suggests that Maria checked her phone while she was drinking coffee.
The exact timing can depend on context, but the important point is that having itself does not strongly emphasize that the first action was completed before the second.
Having as a Gerund
Having can also function as a gerund. A gerund is an -ing form that functions like a noun.
For example:
Having a good education is important.
Here, having a good education acts as the subject of the sentence.
Another example:
Having enough time makes the job easier.
The phrase having enough time represents a condition or state.
In these examples, replacing having with having had would change the meaning.
Compare:
Having enough money makes travel easier.
This describes a general condition.
Having had enough money, she decided to travel.
This refers to a previous situation that existed before another decision.
Having in Everyday English
You will often see having with nouns:
- having breakfast
- having lunch
- having dinner
- having a meeting
- having a conversation
- having trouble
- having fun
- having enough time
- having a good idea
- having experience
Examples:
I am having lunch right now.
We are having a meeting this afternoon.
She is having trouble with her computer.
These are ordinary and natural uses of having.
What Does “Having Had” Mean?
Having had usually shows that something happened before another action or event.
Its basic structure is:
Having had + noun/object, + main clause
For example:
Having had breakfast, I went to work.
The meaning is:
- I had breakfast.
- I finished breakfast.
- I went to work.
The phrase having had breakfast makes that sequence clear.
Example: Having Had Dinner
Compare:
Having dinner, we watched television.
This suggests that we watched television while eating dinner.
Now compare:
Having had dinner, we watched television.
This suggests that dinner came first. We ate dinner, finished it, and then watched television.
That is the central difference in having vs having had.
Example: Having Had Experience
Consider:
Having had experience in sales, she handled the customer easily.
The earlier experience happened before the situation in which she handled the customer.
The structure emphasizes her previous experience as a reason for her later ability.
Example: Having Had Enough Time
Having had enough time to prepare, the students felt confident.
The students first had enough preparation time. After that, they felt confident.
The perfect participle makes the sequence easy to understand.
The Difference in Timeline
One of the easiest ways to understand having vs having had is to imagine a timeline.
Having
Action A → Action B happening around the same time
Example:
Having coffee, I read the newspaper.
Coffee and reading happen together.
Having Had
Action A completed → Action B happens afterward
Example:
Having had coffee, I started working.
Coffee came first. Working came second.
This distinction is small but important.
“Having” vs “Having Had” With Common Activities
Here are several useful comparisons.
Eating
Having lunch, she answered the phone.
She answered the phone while eating lunch.
Having had lunch, she answered the phone.
She answered the phone after finishing lunch.
Studying
Having a study session, he listened to music.
He listened to music during the study session.
Having had enough study time, he took a break.
He took a break after completing enough study time.
Meetings
Having a meeting, the manager took notes.
The manager took notes during the meeting.
Having had a meeting with the client, the manager wrote a report.
The meeting happened first. The report came afterward.
Experience
Having experience in design can help you find work.
This is a general statement about possessing experience.
Having had experience in design, she understood the client’s request.
Her previous experience helped her in a later situation.
Correct Meanings and Uses
1. Use “Having” for an Ongoing Activity
When two activities overlap, having may be appropriate.
Having breakfast, I checked my messages.
The two activities can happen together.
Another example:
Having a conversation with my friend, I forgot about the time.
The conversation was taking place while the speaker lost track of time.
2. Use “Having Had” for a Completed Earlier Action
When one action happened before another, having had can make the sequence clear.
Having had breakfast, I left for school.
Breakfast happened first.
Having had enough rest, he returned to work.
Rest happened before returning to work.
3. Use “Having” for a General Condition
Sometimes having is not about a particular past event at all.
Having a reliable laptop makes work easier.
This describes a general condition.
Having good communication skills is useful in almost every job.
Again, this is a general idea, not an earlier event.
4. Use “Having Had” for Previous Experience
Having had is especially useful when referring to something experienced earlier.
Having had several difficult interviews, she felt more confident at the next one.
Her earlier interviews gave her experience.
5. Use “Having Had” After Prepositions
You may also see having had after words such as without.
For example:
He succeeded without having had formal training.
This means he succeeded despite not having received formal training earlier.
Here, having had refers to a previous condition or experience.
Sentence Breakdown
Let’s examine a sentence closely:
Having had enough time to prepare, James completed the presentation confidently.
Having had
This is the perfect participle phrase.
Enough time to prepare
This tells us what James had.
James
This is the subject of the main clause.
Completed
This is the main verb.
The presentation
This is the object of completed.
Confidently
This describes how James completed the presentation.
The sequence is:
James had preparation time → preparation happened → James completed the presentation.
That earlier relationship is why having had works well.
Test Tip: The “First or During?” Test
Here is a simple test you can use.
Ask yourself:
Did the first action happen during the second action?
If yes, having may be appropriate.
Having lunch, I talked to my friend.
Lunch and talking happened together.
Now ask:
Was the first action completed before the second action?
If yes, having had may be appropriate.
Having had lunch, I went back to work.
Lunch came first, and returning to work came later.
This test will not solve every grammar problem, but it is a useful shortcut for many having vs having had questions.
Case Study: A Workplace Example
Imagine an employee named Sarah preparing a presentation for her manager.
She says:
Having a meeting with my manager, I took notes about the project.
This suggests the meeting and note-taking happened at the same time.
Now suppose the meeting is finished and Sarah begins writing the presentation.
She could say:
Having had a meeting with my manager, I started working on the presentation.
Here, the meeting happened first. Her work on the presentation followed.
The difference becomes even clearer in an email:
Having had a discussion with the marketing team, I have updated the proposal.
This sounds natural in professional writing because it explains the sequence:
discussion → proposal update
The perfect participle helps the reader understand why the proposal was updated.
Grammar Rules: Why Is “Having Had” Correct?
The construction having had is grammatically correct because having can be followed by the past participle had to form a perfect participial construction.
Merriam-Webster identifies having as the present participle of have and had as the past participle as well as the simple past form.
The British Council explains that perfect participle clauses show an action completed before the action in the main clause. Examples of the pattern include structures such as having finished and having been made.
Therefore:
Having had breakfast, I went to work.
is grammatical.
The first having creates the participial construction. The had is the past participle of have.
Why “Having Had Studied” Is Wrong
A common mistake is:
❌ Having had studied, she passed the test.
This structure is incorrect when the intended meaning is simply that she studied before passing.
Use:
✅ Having studied, she passed the test.
Why?
Because studied is already the past participle of study. You do not need had in that construction.
But having had can be correct when had itself is the needed past participle:
✅ Having had enough practice, she performed well.
Here, had means possessed or experienced.
The difference is crucial.
“Having Had” Does Not Always Mean “Had Had”
These structures can look confusing:
Having had breakfast, I left.
and
I had had breakfast before I left.
Both can communicate a sequence in which breakfast came before leaving, but they use different grammatical structures.
Having Had
This is a perfect participial construction:
Having had breakfast, I left.
Had Had
This is the past perfect:
I had had breakfast before I left.
The first had is the auxiliary verb. The second had is the past participle of have.
Although had had may look strange, it is grammatically correct.
Merriam-Webster describes have as an auxiliary that combines with past participles to form perfect constructions, including the past perfect.
Common Mistakes With Having vs Having Had
Many grammar mistakes happen because the two forms look so similar.
Mistake 1: Adding “Had” Unnecessarily
❌ Having had studied for three hours, he was tired.
Better:
✅ Having studied for three hours, he was tired.
The verb study does not require had here.
Mistake 2: Removing “Had” When It Changes the Timeline
❌ Having dinner, we left the restaurant.
This may suggest that we left while eating, which is probably not what the writer means.
Better:
✅ Having had dinner, we left the restaurant.
This clearly means dinner was finished first.
Mistake 3: Forgetting That Context Matters
There is no rule saying that having is always correct or having had is always better.
Both can be correct.
The meaning determines the choice.
Mistake 4: Creating a Dangling Modifier
Be careful with sentences like:
❌ Having had dinner, the television was turned on.
The phrase having had dinner should logically describe a person, not a television.
Better:
✅ Having had dinner, we turned on the television.
The subject of the main clause, we, is also the person who had dinner.
Similar Grammar Confusions
| Confusion | Correct Form | Basic Difference |
|---|---|---|
| it’s / its | It’s raining. / The dog wagged its tail. | “It’s” = it is; “its” shows possession |
| your / you’re | Your phone / You’re ready | “Your” shows possession; “you’re” = you are |
| their / there / they’re | Their car is there, and they’re waiting. | Possession, place, and “they are” |
| then / than | First this, then that / taller than me | Time vs. comparison |
| affect / effect | The noise affected me / The effect was strong | Usually verb vs. noun |
| having / having had | Having lunch / Having had lunch | Simultaneous activity vs. earlier completed action |
Why These Mistakes Happen
Fast Typing
When people type quickly, they often leave out words or add unnecessary ones.
Autocorrect
Autocorrect may change a phrase into something that looks familiar but does not fit the sentence.
Lack of Grammar Knowledge
If someone has never studied participles, having had can look repetitive or incorrect even though it is grammatical.
The best solution is to focus on the meaning and timeline, not simply how the phrase looks.
Usage in Different Contexts
Everyday Conversation
In casual speech, people often use simpler structures.
Instead of:
Having had breakfast, I went to the store.
someone might simply say:
After breakfast, I went to the store.
Both are clear.
Still, having had is perfectly grammatical in conversation when the speaker wants to emphasize the earlier action.
Professional Writing
Perfect participles can be useful in reports, emails, academic writing, and business communication.
Example:
Having had an opportunity to review the proposal, we recommend several changes.
This clearly connects the earlier review with the current recommendation.
Creative Writing
Writers may use having and having had to control the pace and sequence of events.
Having heard the news, she closed the door quietly.
The perfect participle quickly establishes what happened first.
Social Media and Texting
Social media usually favors short and direct language.
Instead of:
Having had a long day, I decided to stay home.
someone might post:
Had a long day, so I stayed home. 😴
That does not make having had wrong. It simply shows that different contexts favor different styles.
Why Mastering Having vs Having Had Matters
Grammar is not only about following rules. It is also about helping readers understand exactly what you mean.
1. Clarity in Communication
A small grammatical change can change the timeline.
Having dinner, I called him.
may suggest the call happened while eating.
Having had dinner, I called him.
suggests dinner was finished first.
That difference can matter.
2. Professionalism
Correct grammar makes business emails, reports, applications, and formal writing easier to understand.
A sentence such as:
Having had the opportunity to review your application, we would like to invite you for an interview.
sounds clear and professional.
3. Digital Communication
Online communication is fast. People often write without checking their sentences.
Understanding having vs having had helps you avoid unclear wording in emails, posts, messages, and professional documents.
4. Better Writing
Strong writing gives readers the information they need in the right order.
A useful rule is:
Good grammar makes your meaning easier to follow.
The goal is not to use complicated grammar simply to sound formal. The goal is to choose the structure that communicates your meaning accurately.
Special Exceptions and Edge Cases
There is no major brand-name exception that changes the grammar of having vs having had. However, having has many meanings beyond the examples discussed above.
For example:
Having a car is convenient.
Here, having expresses possession.
Having had a car before, I knew what to expect.
Here, having had refers to previous experience.
Another important edge case is that having had does not always need to begin a sentence.
For example:
She apologized for having had doubts.
Here, having had doubts follows the preposition for and functions as a gerund-participial phrase.
You can also see it after without:
He left without having had enough time to explain.
The construction remains grammatical because having had refers to an earlier state or experience.
Quick Recap Checklist
Use this checklist when choosing between the two forms.
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Is “having” describing an activity or state? | Having |
| Are two actions happening around the same time? | Having |
| Are you talking about a general condition? | Having |
| Did one action happen before another? | Having had |
| Do you want to emphasize a completed earlier experience? | Having had |
| Does had itself mean possessed, experienced, received, or went through? | Having had |
| Are you describing previous experience before a later event? | Having had |
Practice Example 1
_____ breakfast, I went to work.
If breakfast was finished before going to work:
✅ Having had breakfast, I went to work.
Practice Example 2
_____ breakfast, I read the newspaper.
If reading happened while eating:
✅ Having breakfast, I read the newspaper.
Practice Example 3
_____ enough experience, she handled the project well.
If her experience existed before the project:
✅ Having had enough experience, she handled the project well.
FAQs
1. Is “having had” grammatically correct?
Yes. Having had is grammatically correct. It commonly functions as a perfect participle construction that shows an earlier action, experience, or state before another event.
2. What is the main difference between having and having had?
Having can describe an activity, state, or action occurring around another action. Having had emphasizes that something happened or was completed earlier.
3. Can I start a sentence with “having had”?
Yes. For example:
Having had enough time to prepare, she felt confident.
The phrase correctly introduces the earlier situation.
4. Is “having had breakfast” correct?
Yes. Having had breakfast, I went to work means that breakfast happened before the speaker went to work.
5. Why does “had had” sometimes appear in English?
“Had had” is the past perfect form of have. The first had works as the auxiliary, while the second had is the past participle of have. Although it may sound unusual, it is grammatically correct.
6. Is “having had studied” correct?
Usually, no, if you mean that someone studied before another action. The natural form is:
Having studied, she passed the test.
Use having had when had itself is needed as the past participle, such as:
Having had enough practice, she passed the test.
Conclusion
Mastering having vs having had becomes much easier when you focus on the relationship between actions. Having can describe an activity, condition, or situation that is happening or exists around another action. Having had is a perfect participial construction that normally shows an earlier completed experience, action, or state.
Compare the two:
Having lunch, I answered my phone.
This suggests that the two activities happened together.
Having had lunch, I answered my phone.
This tells us that lunch came first and the phone call came afterward.
Remember the simple rule: having often describes the activity or state, while having had highlights something that came before another event.
Do not add had just because a sentence sounds more formal, and do not remove it when it is needed to show the correct timeline. Always ask yourself what happened first and what happened next.
Once you learn to see the timeline, the choice becomes much clearer.
When the timeline matters, let your grammar show it. ✨
Hi, I’m Jonathan Reed, a language researcher and contributor at Gramcora. My focus is on English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, helping readers communicate more clearly and confidently.
