Had had

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Anonymous  #122963  Mon, 01 Aug 05 04:33 AM

Please look at the following sentence....

They had had the foundation of their house sealed, but that proved no defense against the water that squeezed through the windowsills and filled the basement to a depth of four feet.

 

My TOEFL book says that the above sentence has no errors. But, I think you can't say "had had". Am I correct?

 

Please help. Thanks.

  
Mister Micawber  #122974  Mon, 01 Aug 05 05:27 AM

The TOEFL book is right, Anon.  Had had is the past perfect of the verb have (here appearing in its causative use, to have sth done), and is OK in this sentence.


  
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