Have vs Did
One can understand the difference between have and did clearly without being confused. As said before, it is easy to understand the difference between have and did without being confused, if you understand the meaning and usage of have and did. Have and did are two verbs in English language that show difference between them when it comes to their meaning and application. They are different from each other in their usage too. The verb have is called an auxiliary verb, and it is used in the formation of the present perfect tense forms. On the other hand, the verb did is generally used as the past tense form of the verb ‘do’. This is the main difference between the two words have and did.
What does Have mean?
The verb have means to possess, own, or hold. However, when used as an auxiliary verb it gets the meaning of the verb it is associated with. Observe the two sentences given below.
I have given ten dollars to my friend today.
You have not done the work allotted to you.
In both of the sentences, you can see that the auxiliary verb have is used in the formation of the present perfect tense. In fact, it can be said that the verb have is used along with the past participle form of the verbs, namely, ‘give’ and ‘do’ respectively. The past participle forms of ‘give’ and ‘do’ are ‘given’ and ‘done’ respectively. This is an important observation to make regarding the usage of the auxiliary verb have. On the other hand, the auxiliary verb have is used in the form of questions as well, as in the sentences given below.
Have you ever visited London?
Have you gone to his house?
In both the sentences, you can find that the auxiliary verb have is used in the formation of questions. In other words, it can be said that the auxiliary verb have is used in interrogative sentences too.
What does Did mean?
As did is the past tense of do it also gives the meaning to perform an action. Observe the two sentences given below.
Francis did the work exactly as directed.
Angela did her homework yesterday.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word did is used as the past tense form of the verb ‘do’. In other words, the word did gives the meaning of ‘completed.’ Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘Francis completed the work exactly as directed.’ The meaning of the second sentence would be ‘Angela completed her homework yesterday’.
It is interesting to note that the verb did is used sometimes with another verb to give the sense of past action. In other words, it can be said that did combines with a present tense verb to give the sense in past tense as in the sentences given below.
I did come yesterday.
Francis did eat fruits yesterday.
In both the sentences, you can see that the word did combines with the verbs ‘come’ and ‘eat’ respectively to give the sense in past tense. This is regarded as a special use of the word did. On the other hand, the auxiliary verb have does not enjoy this kind of special usage. This is one of the main differences between the two words.
On the other hand, the verb did is also used in interrogative sentences as follows.
Did you know the truth?
Did Angela know you before?
In both of the sentences given above, you can see that the word did is used in interrogative sentences.
What is the difference between Have and Did?
• The verb have is called an auxiliary verb, and it is used in the formation of the present perfect tense forms.
• On the other hand, the verb did is generally used as the past tense form of the verb ‘do’.
• Sometimes, did combines with a present tense verb to give the sense in past tense. Have does not have such special usages.
• The auxiliary verb have is used in interrogative sentences too.
• Did is also used in interrogative sentences.