ESL General English Grammar Questions

has had to have had

khoff — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 05:14:14 GMT

CalifJim has had to have had a cruel streak developing for some time to use this construction.....

Re: Has had to have

senthilvelann — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 04:34:56 GMT

Good Morning, Sir.

Many thanks for the examples. Please clarify;

1. example 2 - Does it imply Mr.jones have to dine with his mother-in-law every day this week?. If so, How PP can be used in this case?
2. example 4 - I do not understand the structure "has had to have had"

I am just a learner.

Re: Has had to have

CalifJim — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 01:45:53 GMT

Examples of sentences with "has had to have":

1. Paul has had to have all his teeth removed because of gum disease.
2. Mr. Jones has had to have dinner with his mother-in-law every day this week, poor guy.
3. Marcie has had to have the exterminator to her house twice now because of termites.
4. The boss has had to have had doubts about the honesty of that employee. Otherwise, why would he have ordered the services of a private detective?
5. Geogia's mother acted surprised when she heard her daughter's "secret", but she has had to have known it for years and just kept it quiet.
6. In the aftermath of the hurricane, the city has had to have water trucked in from miles away.

CJ

Re: Has had to have

pieanne — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:41:34 GMT

Many thanks, JTT...

Re: Has had to have

just the truth — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:23:31 GMT

If you use past simple, it refers to some time in the past.
If you use present perfect, it refers to the past extending up to now.

========

That's not exactly true, Pieanne. If it was as simple as that there would be no reason for the present perfect. The PP adds importance to a past action. It's often described as making something current.

In this case, it is important for someone to repaint their car because of such an event. It's expensive and it's important to those involved.

Pieanne:
I wonder how many drinks he has had to have such difficulties to walk"

The infinitive doesn't sound right here, Pieanne.

I wonder how many drinks he has had to have such difficulties [to] in walking.

Re: Has had to have

pieanne — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:49:05 GMT

If you use past simple, it refers to some time in the past.
If you use present perfect, it refers to the past extending up to now.

Re: Has had to have

senthilvelann — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:40:37 GMT

Thank you Sir,

Is there no change of meaning?. If I use past simple.

Re: Has had to have

pieanne — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:33:02 GMT

Yes, it looks OK, though I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use past simple
"he had to have..."

Re: Has had to have

senthilvelann — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:27:19 GMT

Is this O.K?

He has had to have his car painted because its paint began to peel off after it was exposed to sunlight.

Re: Has had to have

pieanne — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 13:06:15 GMT

I wonder how many drinks he has had to have such difficulties to walk"

?

Has had to have

senthilvelann — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 12:47:56 GMT

Could you give some example of sentences with "has had to have"?