TextRanch
The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

TextRanch Editors

he went to the zoo vs he had gone to the zoo

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "He went to the zoo" uses the simple past tense to refer to a completed action in the past. "He had gone to the zoo" indicates that going to the zoo happened before another past event.
Camille profile picture

Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: December 01, 2024 • 10138 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to talk about a completed action in the past.

"he went to the zoo"

This phrase is used to describe a past action that has already been completed. It is simple past tense.

Examples:

  • He went to the zoo yesterday.
  • She went to the zoo with her friends.
  • They went to the zoo to see the new exhibit.
  • Nov 21, 2023 ... This was a "moment" - and Jerry tells Peter he went to the zoo to figure out how humans and animals can get along together. Jerry's rant ...
  • Oct 9, 2017 ... After a moment, Peter is interrupted by Jerry (played by Sam Weinberg '20), who shouts that he “went to the zoo!” There is an immediately ...
  • He went to the zoo, the pool, parks, the sensory gym and worked on a bunch of independence skills with my babysitter at home. I had found her for him. And ...
  • May 25, 2023 ... And, at 2 he may or may not remember that one day he went to the zoo, but he'll have fun and see new things and learn from the experience ...
  • Nov 20, 2013 ... He went to the zoo in Amsterdam while I went to the Anne Frank House. The animals at the Berlin Zoo really were fun to watch though! Have ...
  • Oct 18, 2023 ... Gary was a collector, he loved nut crackers, M&M figures and monkeys, that was his favorite animal when he went to the zoo. He loved to ...
  • Jan 29, 2021 ... He went to the zoo, which he enjoyed. There were a lot of fun activities, which he also enjoyed.
  • Apr 14, 2017 ... When he went to the zoo: Ron: I came here for the same reason people go to the zoo. Shhh, look at that thing. Nature is amazing.
  • Apr 5, 2024 ... When Billy was six years old, he went to the zoo and fell down. He hates that place now. 1. See answer.
  • Jul 12, 1981 ... He went to the zoo a few days after he spoke his first word. We were in the elephant house. The elephant lumbered by. ''Big dog, very big ...

Alternatives:

  • He visited the zoo.
  • He traveled to the zoo.
  • He took a trip to the zoo.
  • He went to the zoo last week.
  • He went to the zoo on Saturday.

This phrase is correct and is used to indicate that the action of going to the zoo happened before another past event.

"he had gone to the zoo"

This phrase is used in past perfect tense to show that the action of going to the zoo was completed before another past event.

Examples:

  • He had gone to the zoo before the storm hit.
  • By the time they arrived, he had already gone to the zoo.
  • She realized he had gone to the zoo without her.
  • Mar 24, 2021 ... He told me that he had gone to the zoo to check on things with Gretchen and found all of the meat that she was supposed to be feeding to the ...
  • May 22, 2023 ... Moore: I remember he had gone to the zoo on an off day before a game in Columbus with some teammates and got clawed by a bobcat or something.
  • Mar 29, 2011 ... I realised it was my sister's handbag. I text the father asking to clarify who he had gone to the zoo with and I also text my sister asking ...
  • Feb 26, 2016 ... It was the first time in Ford's life he had gone to the zoo, Jarrell said, and he was in awe. “There are little things we take for granted ...
  • Feb 26, 2016 ... It was the first time in Ford's life he had gone to the zoo, Jarrell said, and he was in awe. “There are little things we take for granted ...
  • Dries Langeveld told me this. He had gone to the zoo in Amsterdam, because they have one there. Its color cannot change, but it is very indefinable. For one ...
  • Oct 1, 2010 ... Interspecies love. He told me, by the way, that he had gone to the zoo - this is honestly true, you can't make this up ...
  • Zack said (that) he had gone to the zoo the previous week. 7. “I was at home at 9 o' clock yesterday”, Pat said to her friend. Pat said to her friend (that) ...
  • Jun 6, 2017 ... A more apt analogy is that he had gone to the zoo to tap on the glass in the reptile house, or to throw twigs at some tired crocodiles in a ...

Alternatives:

  • He had visited the zoo.
  • He had traveled to the zoo.
  • He had taken a trip to the zoo.
  • He had gone to the zoo last week.
  • He had gone to the zoo on Saturday.

Related Comparisons

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

  • Emails and short texts
  • Proofreading & editing
  • Ready in 5-10 minutes
SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

  • Documents of any type (*.docx)
  • Advanced & Premium editing
  • Ready in as little as 4 hours
UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

  • Personalized answers to your language questions
  • Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
  • Ready in 24 hours
ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Powered By Humans

TextRanch Editors

AI is a great tool, but when it comes to perfecting your writing, we rely on real human editors.

  • All our editors are native English speakers.
  • Each editor has passed a rigorous admission test to ensure quality.
  • Our global team is ready to correct any text, anytime.

MEET OUR EDITORS

TextRanch Editors

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

People Feedback 4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Profile picture of Zubair from Bangladesh

Zubair
from Bangladesh From

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Profile picture of Arturo from Mexico

Arturo
from Mexico From

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Profile picture of Selena from USA

Selena
from USA From

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Profile picture of Ifiok from Nigeria

Ifiok
from Nigeria From

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Profile picture of Wilson from France

Wilson
from France From

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Profile picture of Susan from Germany

Susan
from Germany From

Trusted by Hundreds Teams

Facebook logo
Accenture logo
Air Asia logo
AirBus logo
Amazon logo
Bayer logo
Decathlon logo
Docusign logo
Ebay logo
Fiverr logo
Fossil logo
Keller Williams logo
LinkedIn logo
Loreal logo
Motorola logo
Orange logo
Roche logo
Salesforce logo
Stellantis logo