Did and have, both have a lot of differences in their usage. The verb โdidโ is used for the past form of the verb โdoโ. Likewise, the โhaveโ verb is termed as an auxiliary verb and is used in the formation of sentences that are in the present perfect form.
Key Takeaways
- โDidโ is the past tense of โdo,โ and is used to indicate a completed action in the past, while โhaveโ indicates possession or represents the present perfect tense.
- โDidโ is used with the base form of the verb, while โhaveโ is used with the past participle.
- โDidโ is also used in questions and negative sentences to form the simple past tense, while โhaveโ is used to form the present perfect tense.
Did vs Have
The difference between and have lies in their usage. Did is the past form of doing and thus used in sentences accordingly. Have is a kind of verb known as an auxiliary verb used in forming sentences in the present perfect tense.
The word โdidโ is used simply as the past form of the verb โdoโ, which is used to denote things in the past. It states actions that have been done previously or in the past.
The word โhaveโ denotes or can denote a lot of things. It can denote possession or an experience. It is mainly used to form sentences in the present perfect form.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Did | Have |
|---|---|---|
| Tense used in | The โdidโ verb is used in the simple past tense. | The โhaveโ verb is used in the present perfect tense. |
| Usage | It is used to denote actions that have been done or performed in the past. | It denotes possession or experience. |
| Negative form | The negative form of โdidโ does not. Example: I did not go to the restaurant. | The negative form of โhaveโ is have not. Example: I have not done my homework. |
| Usage for special emphasis. | The โdidโ verb can be used for sentences to indicate special emphasis. Example: I did do my task. ( The โdidโ in the sentence is used to denote an extra emphasis over the fact that the task has been done) | The โhaveโ verb cannot be used for any such special emphasis cases. |
| Other forms | Present Tense: Do / Does. Past Tense: Did. Past Participle: Done. | Present Tense: Have Past Tense: Had Past Participle: Had |
What is Did?
โDidโ is an auxiliary verb that is used in the base form. The verb is used for marking something that has been done in the past. It is used for forming sentences in simple past form.
This auxiliary verb is carried by the main verb to carry a real meaning to the sentence. The auxiliary verb acts as a helping verb to the sentenceโs main verb.ย The โDidโ verb can be used to form questions.
Did is also used frequently to turn a sentence into an interrogative one.ย
Example: Did I do it? (Questioning whether something has been done by a person or not)For sentences in the past tense form, did is used in positive sentences.
Example: I did it. (The sentence denotes that a person has done the work) Sometimes โdidโ is also used to give special emphasis to sentences.
Example: I did eat the food (Contrary to the fact that a person might believe). Did can also be used for negative sentences by using a not at the end of the verb.
Example: I did not study for my exams. (The sentence denotes that the person has not studied for his or her exams)
What is Have?
โHaveโ is another auxiliary verb that is used along with the main verb. It is used along with a past participle to form a sentence in the present perfect or past perfect tense. โHaveโ is an irregular verb.
Have can be used in various forms to denote several meanings. It is used in our daily speech and conversation. Have can be used when the subject is a plural noun. It is also used with pronouns like I, we, they, and you.
Example: I Have a brother. You have a charming smile. โHaveโ can be used to express ideas of possessions, physical sensations, relationships, etc., in its primary auxiliary verb or a transitive verb form.
Example: I have a sore throat. (Expressing physical feeling of discomfort) .We have a motorcycle. (Expressing possession with pronouns). I have an aunt who lives in Dubai. (Denoting relationships.
As modal verbs, the โHaveโ verb is also used to make sentences in the perfect tense. Example: They have accepted the job offer. (Present perfect). You have done a really good job. (Present perfect).
The โHaveโ verb can be used as an alternative to the word โeatโ. Example: Can I have a piece of cake?ย I will have my lunch soon.
Main Differences Between Did and Have
- โDidโ and โhaveโ are both auxiliary verbs, but the โhaveโ verb is also used as a modal verb when forming a sentence in the perfect tense.
- The โDidโ verb is used in simple past tense, whereas the โhaveโ verb is used in the present perfect tense.
- Both โdidโ and โhaveโ can be used in negative forms. The negative form of did is did not, and that for have is have not.
- The โdidโ verb is used in sentences to indicate a special emphasis on certain things. The โhave verb has no such usage.
- ย The forms of the did verb are:- Present Tense: Do / Does. Past Tense: Did. Past Participle: Done. The forms of the did verb are:- Present Tense: Have Past Tense: Had Past Participle: Had
- https://www.pdcnet.org/philtoday/content/philtoday_1999_0043Supplement_0036_0041
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00127-004-0699-7
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
