What is the Difference Between Had Done and Have Done?

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The difference between "had done" and "have done" lies in their tenses and the context in which they are used:

  • Had done: This is the past perfect form of the verb "do" and is used to indicate an action that was completed before another past event. For example, "He had done his homework, so he was allowed to go to the movies". In this sentence, the action of doing homework happened earlier in the past, and another action (going to the movies) also occurred in the past.
  • Have done: This is the present perfect form of the verb "do" and is generally used when the action is completed recently or just now. It is often used to indicate an action that has relevance to the present. For example, "I have done my homework" means the work is finished recently.

In summary:

  • "Had done" refers to an action completed in the past, earlier than another past event.
  • "Have done" refers to an action completed recently or just now, with relevance to the present.

Comparative Table: Had Done vs Have Done

The difference between "had done" and "have done" lies in their tenses and the time frame they refer to. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Parameter Had Done Have Done
Tense Past Perfect Present Perfect
Time Frame Past Recent Past
Action Completion Before another past action or point in time Recently or just now
Example I had done my homework before I went to the party. I have done my homework just now.
  • "Had done" is in the past perfect tense and is used to indicate that an action was completed before another past action or point in time.
  • "Have done" is in the present perfect tense and is used when the action is completed recently or just now.

In summary:

  • "Had done" refers to an action that was completed in the past, prior to another past action or point in time.
  • "Have done" refers to an action that was completed recently or just now in the present or very recent past.