"did you contact him" vs "have you contacted him"

Question

"did you contact him" vs "have you contacted him"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Have you contacted him?' is used when asking about a recent action that may still have an effect on the present. 'Did you contact him?' is used when asking about a specific past action without any connection to the present.

Last Updated: March 28, 2024

This phrase is used to inquire whether someone made contact with another person at a specific point in the past, with no implication of a present effect.

Examples:

Did you contact him yesterday?
Did you contact him last week?
Did you contact him after the meeting?
Did you contact him to discuss the issue?
Did you contact him to follow up?

Alternatives:

Did you get in touch with him?
Did you reach out to him?
Did you speak to him?
Did you communicate with him?
Did you make contact with him?

This phrase is used to inquire whether someone has already made contact with another person, with the implication that the action could have an impact on the present situation.

Examples:

Have you contacted him about the meeting tomorrow?
Have you contacted him regarding the job offer?
Have you contacted him to discuss the project?
Have you contacted him to resolve the issue?
Have you contacted him to confirm the details?

Alternatives:

Have you spoken to him?
Have you reached out to him?
Have you gotten in touch with him?
Have you communicated with him?
Have you made contact with him?

Answer 1

did you contact him

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when asking about a specific past action without any connection to the present.

Answer 2

have you contacted him

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when asking about a recent action that may still have an effect on the present.

"did you contact him" vs "have you contacted him"

did you contact him

have you contacted him

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