Billy and Joey sat an English exam, where one of the questions asked for a example of the past participles of "had" and "that". Billy had had "had" and "that", but Joey had had "had had" and "that that".

http://julianh72.blogspot.com

While it may feel strange or as if a single 'had' or 'that' should have been able to do the job, in reality it can be perfectly correct. When used properly, the 'double' terms are used to mean different things. Take 'that' as an example, in addition to being used either as a Demonstrative Pronoun or an Adjective, 'that' can also be a Subordinate Conjunction. And it's perfectly valid for one 'that' to a Subordinating 'that' while the second 'that' could be either a Demonstrative Pronoun or an Adjective. I think you'll see that the cases for a double 'that' or a double 'had' are just such a situation.

Besides, if it was good enough for Abraham Lincoln in his most famous utterance, I guess you shouldn't feel too bad when you find your self using a double 'that' because it sounds like it belongs.

John R. Baker, P.E.
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It gets worse. Even this is syntactically correct, though one might object on grounds of being at odds with language's primary purpose (that is, to communicate):

James while John had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher

Cornflakes. Cornflakes. Cornflakes, Cornflakes. Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes.

Do I win a Ford Tippex?

- Steve

Are we playing this game now?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_buffalo_Buffa...

Nope. I'm just quoting from 80's TV.

- Steve

"had had" and "that that" can be correctly used. and yes there are many technically correct terms that cause trouble for ESL users (start with a double negative, or answering a question "do you want A or B ?" with "yes")

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

btw, duplicated .NE. redundant ...

Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Quote:

To understand “had had,” we need to take a look at the present perfect and past perfect tenses.

...and it seems that "is is" is a thing too.

More at: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar...

Funny sounding for sure. Not related, but I was in an automotive parts store when younger, and overheard a conversation at the counter. This elderly man was holding an alternator in his hand, obviously trying to troubleshoot a problem with his car. The tech behind the counter had offered some advice, and the elderly man replied, "I've done been had that!" Grammatically wrong, but instantly understandable. His frustration had probably gotten him tongue-tied, and I find it fun (after all these years) to work it into conversations when I can.

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I had had a good day till I read that this that was different to that that; but but should still not begin a sentence.
And and.

Bye bye.

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