Which one is correct?
"have read the contract" or "read contract"?

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have read the contract

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of reading the contract was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present.

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that the action of reading the contract was completed in the past and has a connection to the present moment.

Examples:

  • I have read the contract, so I know what it entails.
  • Have you read the contract before signing it?

Alternatives:

  • I have already read the contract.
  • I've finished reading the contract.
  • I've gone through the contract.
  • I've perused the contract.
  • I've examined the contract.

read contract

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the simple past tense, indicating that the action of reading the contract occurred at a specific point in the past.

This phrase is used when you want to simply state that you read the contract at a particular time in the past without emphasizing any connection to the present.

Examples:

  • I read the contract yesterday.
  • Did you read the contract before the meeting?

Alternatives:

  • I read through the contract.
  • I went over the contract.
  • I perused the contract.
  • I examined the contract.
  • I checked out the contract.
Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Have read the contract' is the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of reading the contract was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. 'Read contract' is the simple past tense, indicating that the action of reading the contract occurred at a specific point in the past.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

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