Did vs. Done — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 15, 2024
"Did" is the simple past tense of "do," used for actions completed in the past, whereas "done" is the past participle of "do," used in perfect tenses and as an adjective.
Difference Between Did and Done
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Key Differences
"Did" is utilized to describe an action that was completed at a specific time in the past. For example, it is used in sentences like "I did my homework yesterday." On the other hand, "done" is used to refer to actions that have been completed, typically before another action in the past, present, or future, as in "I have done my homework, so I can rest now."
While "did" directly serves as the verb in simple past tense constructions, indicating the completion of an action, "done" is always used with an auxiliary verb in perfect tense constructions, such as "has done" or "had done," indicating a relation to another time or action.
"Did" does not require the use of an auxiliary verb; it stands alone as the main verb in a sentence. Conversely, "done" cannot stand alone and must be paired with an auxiliary verb to complete its meaning in a sentence.
In questions and negatives, "did" is used to form the simple past, such as in "Did you finish your project?" and "I did not go to the party." Whereas "done" is used in questions and negatives involving perfect aspects, like "Have you done your chores?" or "I haven't done the shopping yet."
"Did" modifies the main verb in simple past negative forms and questions by taking the base form of the verb, while "done" describes the state of completion, often relating to the subject's state or quality in addition to the action's completion.
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Function
Simple past tense of "do"
Past participle of "do"
Usage with Auxiliary Verb
No auxiliary verb needed
Requires an auxiliary verb
Example Sentence
"She did the task yesterday."
"She has done the task already."
Question Formation
"Did you see that movie?"
"Have you done your homework?"
Usage in Sentences
Acts as main verb
Used as an adjective or in perfect tenses
Compare with Definitions
Did
Past tense of "do," used for actions completed at a specific past time.
I did call her last night.
Done
Used as an adjective to describe finished states.
Are we done here?
Did
Utilized in forming past negative sentences.
She did not want to join the game.
Done
Necessary for forming perfect tenses.
She had done her homework before dinner.
Did
Used to make emphasis in statements.
I did try to warn him about the risks.
Done
Indicates the completion of an action.
The painting is finally done.
Did
Applied in asking about past actions.
Did you attend the meeting?
Done
Used in passive voice constructions.
The work has been done by a professional.
Did
Acts independently as the verb in a sentence.
They did complete the project on time.
Done
Past participle of do1.
Did
Past tense of do1.
Done
Having been carried out or accomplished; finished
A done deed.
Did
Past participle of do
Done
Cooked adequately.
Done
Socially acceptable
Spitting on the street is just not done in polite society.
Done
(Informal) Totally worn out; exhausted.
Done
Having completed or finished an activity.
He pushed his empty plate away, sighed and pronounced "I am done."
They were done playing and were picking up the toys when he arrived.
Done
(of an activity or task) Completed or finished.
I'll text you when the movie's done.
Done
(of food) Ready, fully cooked.
As soon as the potatoes are done we can sit down and eat.
Done
Being exhausted or fully spent.
When the water is done we will only be able to go on for a few days.
Done
Without hope or prospect of completion or success.
He is done, after three falls there is no chance he will be able to finish.
Done
Fashionable, socially acceptable, tasteful.
I can't believe he just walked up and spoke to her like that, those kind of things just aren't done!
What is the done thing these days? I can't keep up!
Done
Inflection of do
I have done my work.
Done
; did.
Done
Used in forming the perfective aspect; have.
I woke up and found out she done left.
Done
(obsolete) do
Done
(slang) methadone
On the done
Done
It is done or agreed; let it be a match or bargain; - used elliptically.
Done
Given; executed; issued; made public; - used chiefly in the clause giving the date of a proclamation or public act.
Done
Having finished or arrived at completion;
Certain to make history before he's done
It's a done deed
After the treatment, the patient is through except for follow-up
Almost through with his studies
Done
Cooked until ready to serve
Done
Past participle of "do," used with an auxiliary verb.
I have done all that I can.
Common Curiosities
How do 'did' and 'done' function in questions?
"Did" introduces questions in simple past tense, while "done" is used in perfect tense questions.
Is 'done' ever used alone in a sentence?
"Done" cannot be used alone; it requires an auxiliary verb unless it's functioning as an adjective.
What is the main grammatical difference between 'did' and 'done'?
"Did" is the simple past tense of "do," while "done" is the past participle, used in perfect tenses and as an adjective.
Can 'did' be used without an auxiliary verb?
Yes, "did" can be used without an auxiliary verb as it is the main verb in its clause.
What types of sentences use 'did'?
"Did" is used in simple past statements, questions, and negations.
How does the use of 'did' affect the verb that follows?
When used in questions or negatives, "did" requires the base form of the main verb that follows.
Are there any idiomatic uses for 'done'?
Yes, phrases like "Well done!" or "done deal" are idiomatic expressions using "done."
Does 'done' always relate to the past?
While often relating to past actions, "done" is used to discuss actions in relation to other times, including present and future contexts in perfect tenses.
Can 'did' and 'done' be used interchangeably?
No, due to their different grammatical roles, "did" and "done" cannot be used interchangeably.
What tense is associated with 'done'?
"Done" is associated with perfect tenses like present perfect and past perfect.
What types of constructions require 'done'?
"Done" is required in perfect tenses, passive voice constructions, and can be used as an adjective.
Can 'done' indicate a state as well as an action?
Yes, "done" can indicate both a state of completion and the completion of an action.
What tense is associated with 'did'?
"Did" is associated with the simple past tense.
What is a common error in using 'did' and 'done'?
A common error is misusing "did" and "done," especially in perfect tense constructions, such as incorrectly saying *"I did my homework" instead of the correct "I have done my homework" in certain contexts.
Which is used more frequently in spoken English, 'did' or 'done'?
Both are commonly used, but "did" might appear more frequently in everyday conversations due to its role in simple past constructions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
