Many English learners struggle with the difference between did and have, and it’s easy to see why. Both words appear often in everyday conversations, English grammar exercises, and English proficiency exams. They may look simple, but their uses are quite different—and mixing them up can quickly lead to confusion or incorrect sentences.

Understanding did and have is essential because they show up in two of the most common tenses: the simple past and the present perfect. One expresses actions finished at a definite time in the past, while the other connects past experiences or results to the present. Knowing when and how to use each form will make your English sound more natural and accurate.

In this guide, we’ll break down the definitions of did and have, highlight their key differences, and provide a clear comparison chart to help you spot the contrasts quickly. You’ll also see plenty of examples, learn how to form questions correctly, and practice with short exercises.

Definition of Did and Have

You’ll not only understand the rules but also feel confident using did and have in your own speaking and writing. Mastering these two words is a small but powerful step toward clearer and more effective English communication.

What is “Did”?

• Did is the past tense of the verb do.
• It works as:
  • A helping verb used for constructing past tense questions and negatives.
  • A main verb for emphasis or completed actions.

Examples:

• I did my homework last night. (completed action)
• Did you watch the movie yesterday? (question)
• She didn’t go to school yesterday. (negative)
• I really did like the presentation. (emphasis)

What is “Have”?

Have can be both a main verb and an auxiliary verb.

1. As a main verb, it shows possession:
   • I have a car.
   • She has two brothers.
2. As an auxiliary verb, it helps form the present perfect tense:
   • I have visited London twice. (life experience)
   • They have just finished their work. (recent result)
   • He has lived here for five years. (duration)

Difference Between Did and Have

The main difference lies in time reference and meaning:

• Did = Simple Past → action completed at a specific time in the past.
• Have = Present Perfect → action that connects the past to the present or shows life experience.

Grammar structure differences:

• Did + subject + base verb (Did you play football yesterday?)
• Have/Has + subject + past participle (Have you played football before?)

Time expressions:

• Did → yesterday, last year, in 2010, an hour ago
• Have → ever, never, already, yet, since, for, recently

Did vs Have Comparison Chart

Examples of Did

1. I did the laundry yesterday.
2. Did she call you last night?
3. They didn’t join the meeting yesterday.
4. I did try my best, but I failed.
5. He did all the work alone.
6. Did you enjoy the concert last weekend?
7. I didn’t go to the party last Friday.
8. We did practice before the exam.

Examples of Have

1. I have finished my homework.
2. She has lived in New York since 2020.
3. They have already eaten dinner.
4. I have never seen such a big stadium.
5. We have just met the new teacher.
6. He has two cats. (possession)
7. Do you have enough money? (possession question)
8. I have worked here for three years.

Read also more related topics: Did VS Done

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When to Use Did and Have in Questions

Use did for specific past-time questions:

• Did you watch the match yesterday?
• Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.

Use have for life experiences or ongoing relevance:

• Have you ever watched a World Cup final?
• Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

Rule of Thumb:

• If the time is finished and clear → use did.
• Use “have” when the time is either not specified or remains linked to the present moment.

How to Use Did and Have (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Identify timeframe – Is it a completed past event or connected to now?
2. Apply the right structure – Did + base verb OR Have + past participle.
3. Check time expressions – “yesterday” = Did, “ever” = Have.
4. Form negatives correctly – Didn’t + base verb / Haven’t + past participle.
5. Practice substitution – Replace words in examples to strengthen your understanding.

Common Mistakes and Corrections

Error: I have went to Paris last year.
Correction:  I went to Paris last year. (Use “did” for past with specific time)

Error: Did you ever been to Italy?
Correction: Have you ever been to Italy? (Use “have” for life experience)

Error: I didn’t went to school yesterday.
Correction: I didn’t go to school yesterday. (Base verb after “did”)

Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks with Did or Have:

• ___ you watch the movie last night?
• I ___ never tried sushi before.
• She ___ her homework yesterday.

2. Correct the Mistakes:

• He didn’t went to class.
• I have saw this movie already.

3. Convert Sentences:

• “I went to Spain in 2018.” → Present perfect.
• “I have visited Spain.” → Simple past with a specific time.

FAQ’s on Did vs have

What is the difference between did and have?

• Did is past simple (specific completed actions).
• “Have” is used for the present perfect tense, indicating life experiences or ongoing relevance, and also denotes possession.

Can I use did instead of have?

No. They express different ideas. Use did for clear past events, have for experiences or results related to now.

Which is correct: “Have you ever been” or “Did you ever go”?

Both can be correct.

• “Have you ever been to Italy?” → Experience in life.
• “Did you ever go to Italy?” → Asking about a specific time in the past.

What is the proper way to create questions using ‘did’ and ‘have’?

• Did + subject + base verb → Did you eat lunch?
• Have/Has + subject + past participle → Have you eaten lunch?

When should I use have with for/since?

Use the present perfect to show duration:

• I have lived here for five years.
• She has worked there since 2018.

Conclusion

To sum up:

• The word “did” indicates past simple actions occurring at a definite, identifiable time.
• Have is used for present perfect (experience, results, duration) or to show possession.

By practicing regularly with the examples, exercises, and comparison chart, you’ll quickly learn when to use each.

Mastering did vs have will not only improve your grammar but also make your English more natural, fluent, and confident.