Is This Sentence Grammatically Correct: 'He has had his car for three years'?

The sentence 'He has had his car for three years' is indeed grammatically correct when it comes to its construction and use. Let's delve into the nuances of this sentence and explore why it is considered proper English.

Understanding the Present Perfect with 'Have'

The sentence uses the present perfect tense with the auxiliary verb 'has.' The present perfect tense with have is used to describe an action that has occurred in the past and has a connection to the present situation. This connection to the present is marked by the inclusion of a present perfect time clause, such as 'for three years' or 'since 2018.'

When the main verb is a state rather than an action, as in the sentence 'He has had his car for three years,' it typically involves a period of time rather than a continuous action, such as 'He has lived in this house since 2018.'

Example and Analysis

Example 1: 'He has had his car for three years.' - Subject: He - Present Perfect: has had - Object: his car - Time Clause: for three years This sentence conveys that the person still owns the car and it has been a possession they have had for three years. The time clause 'for three years' indicates the duration of possession.

Example 2: 'He has had his car since 2018.' - Subject: He - Present Perfect: has had - Object: his car - Time Clause: since 2018 This sentence also correctly uses the present perfect tense, but it specifies the exact year when the car was acquired.

Common Confusions and Clarifications

While the sentence is correct, it is important to note that variations in spoken English and regional dialects can lead to slight differences in phrasing. For example:

Hes had his car is easier to say… the apostrophe takes the place of the ha… and either way is proper grammar! While 'He's had' is a contraction, which is more commonly used in casual speech, both 'He has had' and 'He's had' are grammatically correct. The sentence is correct but you’d more likely hear “He’s had his car for three years.” We tend to use contractions a lot. “He has had…” sounds a little bit stuffy in this day and age. This reflects the natural tendency of speakers to use contractions in everyday conversation to make their speech more colloquial and fluid, rather than formal.

Conclusion

Thus, the sentence 'He has had his car for three years' is a grammatically correct usage of the present perfect tense with 'have.' It correctly conveys the idea that the person still owns the car and has had it for a specific period of time. Whether in written or spoken English, this sentence adheres to the grammatical rules and is appropriate for a wide range of contexts.

Key Takeaways: The present perfect with 'have' is used to describe a past event with a present connection. Time clauses, such as 'for three years' or 'since 2018,' are used to indicate duration. While contractions, such as 'He's had,' are more common in speech, 'He has had' is also correct.

To ensure your writing is clear and engages your audience effectively, remember to understand the nuances of different grammatical constructions and variations in usage.