Understanding when to use “also has” and when to use “has also” feels simple at first glance.
Yet even native speakers pause when placing also because a small shift in position can change the tone, rhythm, or emphasis of a sentence.
This guide breaks everything down in a clear, conversational way.
You’ll learn the real differences, see practical examples, and walk away with confidence in your grammar choices.
Why “Also Has” vs “Has Also” Confuses Even Native Speakers
English gives the adverb also unusual freedom. It can move around a sentence without breaking grammatical rules. That flexibility is helpful, but it also creates uncertainty because different placements feel more formal, casual, or emphatic.
Even fluent speakers get caught choosing between:
- “She also has…”
- “She has also…”
Both look right. Both sound natural. But they create slightly different effects.
This confusion happens for three key reasons:
- Adverbs move more than other words, so placement feels subjective.
- Tone shifts based on rhythm, not grammar alone.
- Most learners are taught rules, but not nuance.
By understanding how has and also work individually, choosing the right phrase becomes effortless.
How “Has” Works in English Grammar
Before deciding where also goes, you need to understand which job has is doing inside the sentence.
“Has” as a Main Verb (Possession or Characteristics)
When has expresses ownership, characteristics, or attributes, it’s a main verb.
For example:
- “The laptop has a fast processor.”
- “He has excellent communication skills.”
In this structure:
- You cannot shuffle adverbs freely.
- “Also” must usually come before “has”.
Example:
- “The laptop also has a fast processor.”
- NOT: “The laptop has also a fast processor.” (unnatural)
This is why “also has” is far more common when describing features, traits, or possessions.
“Has” as an Auxiliary Verb (Perfect Tenses)
When has supports another verb (has eaten, has seen, has written), it becomes an auxiliary verb.
Here the sentence becomes more flexible:
- “She has also completed the task.”
- “She also has completed the task.” (less common but correct)
Why is it flexible?
Because auxiliary verbs allow adverbs to slide into different positions without messing up the core meaning.
Understanding “Also”: The Flexible Adverb
What “Also” Really Expresses
“Also” means:
- in addition
- too
- as well
- furthermore
It adds extra information, but where you place it changes the feeling of the sentence.
Common Positions of “Also”
English typically uses also in three natural spots:
| Position | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| After subject | “She also has…” | Smooth, neutral |
| Before verb | “She also has a point.” | Natural, conversational |
| Before auxiliary verb | “She has also made progress.” | Slightly formal, more emphasis |
These placements are all grammatically correct, but each has its own style.
Breaking Down “Also Has”
When “Also Has” Is Correct
Use “also has” when:
- describing possession
- listing features or qualities
- writing in a casual or conversational voice
Examples:
- “The car also has heated seats.”
- “My phone also has a night mode camera.”
- “The city also has a thriving arts community.”
This structure feels smooth and direct, which is why it dominates everyday speech.
Why “Also Has” Works
Because “has” is acting as a main verb in these sentences, “also” naturally fits right before it. This is the most intuitive position.
Common Contexts for “Also Has”
- Product descriptions
- Personality traits
- Feature lists
- Everyday conversation
This phrase feels natural because English speakers are used to listing things in a chronological or additive sequence.
Understanding “Has Also”
When “Has Also” Fits Best
Use “has also” when:
- building perfect tense sentences
- emphasizing an additional action
- using a slightly formal tone
Examples:
- “She has also written a novel.”
- “The company has also launched a new service.”
- “He has also learned Japanese.”
Why “Has Also” Works
When “has” helps another verb, “also” can highlight the action by moving directly in front of it.
Has also adds emphasis to the additional action:
“He has completed the project. He has also updated the design.”
Here the second action gains importance.
“Also Has” vs “Has Also”: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a clean comparison table:
| Structure | Best Used For | Example | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also has | Possession, characteristics | “She also has two siblings.” | Neutral, conversational |
| Has also | Additional actions in perfect tense | “She has also studied abroad.” | Formal, emphatic |
Quick Tip
- If you’re listing features or traits, use also has.
- If you’re listing actions, use has also.
When to Use Each: Practical Guidelines
Use “Also Has” When:
- describing something someone owns
- listing product specifications
- highlighting qualities or features
- writing informally
Examples:
- “The watch also has a GPS feature.”
- “The plan also has free upgrades.”
Use “Has Also” When:
- talking about completed actions
- creating a formal tone
- adding emphasis
Examples:
- “The team has also improved its defense.”
- “The program has also expanded to new regions.”
Mini Checklist
Ask yourself:
- Is has showing possession? → Use also has
- Is has helping another verb? → Use has also
- Do I want more emphasis? → Choose has also
- Do I want a natural, simple tone? → Choose also has
Subtle Tone and Emphasis Differences
Even if both options are grammatically correct, tone varies.
Conversational Feel
“Also has” sounds relaxed, friendly, and natural.
Examples:
- “He also has a good sense of humor.”
- “The house also has a large kitchen.”
These sound like everyday speech.
Formal or Emphatic Feel
“Has also” adds formality or weight.
Examples:
- “The research has also revealed new patterns.”
- “The committee has also approved the proposal.”
This structure is common in reports, academic writing, and professional communication.
Modern Usage Trends
Even without pulling data, modern English patterns are clear from observable use.
Frequency Trends
- Also has is dominant in conversation because people often talk about features, traits, or possessions.
- Has also appears more in written, formal, or structured content where perfect tenses are common.
Why These Trends Matter
The more natural your phrasing matches the situation, the more fluent you sound. Many learners unknowingly create stiff phrasing by overusing “has also” when listing features.
Example from Real Usage
“This app also has voice commands, and the developer has also added offline mode.”
Notice the shift:
- also has → feature
- has also → action
This sentence uses both correctly and clearly.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Putting “also” in the wrong spot
Incorrect:
- “She has a new job also.”
Correct:
- “She also has a new job.”
Using “has also” for possession
Incorrect:
- “The building has also 20 floors.”
Correct:
- “The building also has 20 floors.”
Overusing “also”
Too many “also” placements make writing sound repetitive.
Fix:
Swap with synonyms like additionally, furthermore, or too.
Double “also” errors
Incorrect:
- “She also has also finished.”
Correct:
- Use one placement only.
Advanced Usage Tips for Writers and ESL Learners
Test Your Sentence Flow
Read it out loud.
If you stumble or the rhythm feels off, move “also” to a more natural spot.
Rewrite Exercise
Original:
- “He has also a strong academic background.”
Fixed:
- “He also has a strong academic background.”
- “He has also built a strong academic profile.”
Both correct. One is conversational, one is formal.
Stylistic Advice
Use “has also” in:
- essays
- reports
- professional emails
- formal explanations
Use “also has” when:
- chatting
- blogging
- storytelling
- summarizing features
Professional Writing Tip
Editors choose placement based on:
- tone
- clarity
- audience
- emphasis
When in doubt, keep it simple: “also has” for features, “has also” for actions.
Quick Reference Table: Simplifying the Rules
| Use Case | Best Choice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | Also has | “The policy also has benefits.” |
| Traits / Features | Also has | “The car also has new safety features.” |
| Additional completed action | Has also | “She has also finished the draft.” |
| Emphasis on second action | Has also | “He has also updated the website.” |
| Casual tone | Also has | “My friend also has a cat.” |
| Formal tone | Has also | “The organization has also issued a statement.” |
Case Study: News and Conversation Examples
Case Study 1: Technology Review
“The device also has a metal frame, and the manufacturer has also added water resistance.”
Why it works:
- Feature → also has
- Action → has also
Case Study 2: Academic Article
“The study has also identified structural problems.”
Why it works:
- Perfect tense
- Formal tone
Case Study 3: Everyday Conversation
“She also has great energy. She has also joined a new course.”
Why it works:
- Traits → also has
- Action → has also
Case Study 4: Business Report
“Our team has also improved internal processes.”
Why it works:
- Focus on an additional action
- Professional tone
Case Study 5: Product Descriptions
“This model also has a stronger battery life.”
Why it works:
- Feature → also has
FAQs
What is the main difference between “also has” and “has also”?
Also has is used for possession or features.
Has also is used for actions in perfect tense.
Is “has also” more formal?
Yes. It sounds more structured and is common in professional writing.
Can both forms be correct in the same sentence?
Absolutely—if one describes a feature and the other describes an action.
Why does “also has” sound more natural in speech?
Because English speakers often list traits or possessions in everyday conversations.
Is “has also” wrong when describing features?
It’s not technically wrong, but it sounds unnatural and rarely appears in native usage.
Conclusion
Choosing between “also has” and “has also” isn’t about strict grammar rules. It’s about meaning, tone, and rhythm.
When you understand whether “has” expresses possession or supports another verb, the correct placement becomes obvious.
- Use also has for features and qualities.
- Use has also for actions and formal emphasis.
Mastering this small detail makes your English clearer, smoother, and more natural.
I’m Alex Henry — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of expression. I share creative tips to help you fall in love with the English language every day.