Difference between "Did" and "Have"

Share on Facebook

Tomer

#395216 Sun, 22 Jul 07 04:17 PM

Can someone clear up when to use "have" and when "did"
cause i'm always doubtful when to use "have" and "did"

For example: Why haven't you said it earlier
while Why didn't you said it ealier sounds perfectly right?

english is confusing i know.

Tomer.

Tomer

Joined on Fri, Jul 20 2007

Full Member (134)

"If you fear life..You will never live"

Difference Between

Yoong Liat

#395218 Sun, 22 Jul 07 04:26 PM

Tomer wrote:
Can someone clear up when to use "have" and when "did"
cause i'm always doubtful when to use "have" and "did"

For example: Why haven't you said it earlier?
while Why didn't you said it ealier sounds perfectly right?

Why haven't you said it earlier?

When we use 'has' or 'have', the following verb has to be a past participle.

For example, We have eaten. ('eaten' is a past participle)

eat ate eaten

Why didn't you say (not 'said') it earlier?

When we use "did' or "didn't", the following verb must be one in the simple present tense.

say said said

Yoong Liat

Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006

Singapore

Veteran Member (6,093)

Yoong Liat

Simple Present, Verbs, Difference Between, Tenses, Present Tenses

WesternAmerican

#395221 Sun, 22 Jul 07 04:36 PM

Hello Tomer,

Liat's explanation was very clear, I'm convinced that you'll find it neat and easy to comprehend.
If you do feel that you're in need of more help, don't hesitate to post new threads or contact me personally(ICQ: 133465992).
Liat, does the word 'earlier' imply a definite time?

I/You/They/We/She/He/It + didn't + a present simple verb

I didn't eat(not ate)
She didn't drink(not drank)
They didn't look(not looked)

Welcome abroad, ach sheli!

P.S
Liat, thank you very much for your comma-splice explanation, it was fantastic.

WesternAmerican

Joined on Wed, Jun 6 2007

Israel

Full Member (393)

I will REALLY appreciate any corrections to my posts, whether it be grammar, glossary, or just something that could elevate my style. Thank you.

Difference Between, Commas, Present Simple

Irnic

#395227 Sun, 22 Jul 07 04:58 PM

"Why haven't you said it earlier?" = Present Perfect

The Present Perfect Form:
Subject + have / has + past participle == > affermative
Have / Has + subject + past participle == > interrogative
Subject + have / has + not + past participle == > negative

Present Perfect usage:
- Past actions with results in the present (I've already eaten dinner)
- Unfinished actions, action still in progress (He's lived in London for 10 years)

_________________________________________________________________

"Why didn't you say (not "said") it ealier sounds perfectly right?" = Simple past

The Simple Past Form:
Subject + past of the verb == > affermative (You called Debbie)
Did + subject + infintive == > interrogative (Did you call Debbie?)
Subject + did + not + infinitive == > negative (You didn't call Debbie)

Simple Past usage:
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Ex. I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim

Irnic

Joined on Tue, Dec 13 2005

Italy

Regular Member (713)

Verbs, Difference Between, Negatives, Simple Past, Present Perfect

Yoong Liat

#395229 Sun, 22 Jul 07 05:01 PM

"WesternAmerican"
Liat, does the word 'earlier' imply a definite time?

Liat, does the word 'earlier' imply a definite time? No, it means 'before'. For example, I posted twice. The first post is my earlier post.