Does I’d mean “I had” or “I would”?
The contraction I’d can mean either ‘I would’ or ‘I had’.
If you’re unable to understand the meaning of I’d (or he’d, she’d, we’d, etc.) from the context of a sentence, try looking at the verb form that follows it:
- would is followed by the bare infinitive (infinitive without to)
- would can also be followed by the perfect infinitive (have + past participle)
- had is followed by a past participle.
Watch out for sentences containing ‘d better!
Here’s the explanation in the form of an infographic:
For more examples sentences and a full explanation of the rule see: grammar explanation of ‘d = ‘had’ or ‘would’.
If you want to test yourself, try this exercise: practice exercise ‘d = ‘had’ or ‘would’.
sam - April 9, 2013, 4:00 pm
I,ve done the test (100%) as I expect
Witwicky - June 11, 2018, 10:05 am
*expected
Rizwan shafiq - January 18, 2021, 11:54 am
*expected!
sam - April 9, 2013, 4:01 pm
U have used many conditional sentence (3rd form) am I right?
Stuart Cook - April 10, 2013, 7:06 am
Hi, Sam
When would is followed by the infinitve form of the verb, it’s a second conditional sentence: I would go if …
When would is followed by have + past participle, it’s a third conditional sentence: I would have gone if …
sam - April 10, 2013, 1:25 pm
I see and I meant that , most of ur sentences were third conditional
Shikha rawat - November 27, 2020, 2:47 am
Thankyou very helpful for me
Subekti Wiyana - May 5, 2013, 5:48 am
What are characteristics of conditional sentences?
Stuart Cook - May 6, 2013, 7:18 am
Subekti,
Conditional sentences are made up of two parts, called clauses. One clause depends on the other – hence the name ‘conditional’. Here’s an example:
I’ll go on holiday if I save enough money. (I’ll = I will)
In the example, the speaker would like to go on holiday (I’ll go on holiday). However, there is a condition (if I save enough money); he can only go on holiday if he saves enough money. If he doesn’t save the money, he won’t be able to go.
In another type of conditional sentence, we can indicate a more theoretical situation:
I’d go on holiday if I had enough money.
In this example, the speaker is indicating that he doesn’t think it is probable that he will have enough money. (I’d = I would)
Debo Chowdhury - November 16, 2013, 7:03 am
What s the difference of Gerund and Participle?
Stuart Cook - November 17, 2013, 7:46 am
Debo,
We have two types of participle: present participle and past participle.
As examples, take the verbs speak, drink and be:
The present participles are speaking, drinking and being. We see these in the present continuous (he’s speaking) and past continuous (he was drinking).
The past participles are spoken, drunk and been. We see these in the present perfect (he has been, she has spoken). You will also see them after modal verb + have (I should have gone, they would have done).
A gerund is when a verb is used as noun. Gerunds end in -ing: swimming is healthy, smoking is dangerous.
Aby Joseph - November 8, 2014, 7:37 am
Good xpntn….I got 91%….that z 10 ticks out of 11
Gabriel - September 14, 2023, 12:28 pm
Very good explanations
Thanks a lot
Lex - November 26, 2015, 6:54 pm
That’s so informative. Feed me more about Basic Grammar in English. Keep it up and more power Sir.
Nemu Khati - May 23, 2018, 9:49 am
Does I’d also mean “I did”?
Stuart Cook - May 28, 2018, 8:26 pm
No
Anonymous - November 16, 2018, 8:17 pm
what did mean I’d?
hope Isaiah - February 9, 2021, 11:57 am
I would
Sankarachari K - September 8, 2021, 12:36 pm
As a teacher I appreciate your expression.
So good and understandable.
Ademola Majeed - February 24, 2020, 5:30 pm
Oh!Thanks,i’d found what am looking for
Leng Dalangin - March 18, 2020, 1:02 pm
Thanks a lot for these, sir! Feed us more. God bless you!
Pavithra - July 30, 2020, 12:50 pm
Sir one small doubt ,
This is line from justin bieber 1000 hours song
I’d spend 10000 hours,
So what is means here sir
I would or I had
Stuart Cook - August 10, 2020, 8:12 pm
I would
Chimezie - November 25, 2020, 6:50 am
Can ‘had’ be used to show what someone would like to do or might have to do in the future. For example, “you had like to be around him some time” is this correct?
A.R.M.Y - July 24, 2021, 5:20 pm
You “have liked“ to be around him some time.
“You liked to be around him some time“
They are right.
Omcha - November 30, 2021, 11:32 am
Just amazing. I’m so grateful.
brenda - April 7, 2022, 4:39 pm
thank you
Anonymous - May 13, 2023, 9:18 pm
I told you and I made it very clear that I’d never have a thing with you
The meaning of I’d in this statement?
Would or had
Kartik Das - December 23, 2023, 1:30 pm
I think it is ‘would’ (In real I am not at home in English)
Aentsch - June 29, 2023, 1:15 pm
What does `d mean in the following Phrase
Here is to‘d ya
If i never see’d ya
Thank u in advance