"I sent email" vs "I have sent email"

Question

"I sent email" vs "I have sent email"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'I have sent an email' is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed recently or has relevance to the present. 'I sent an email' is in the simple past tense, indicating an action that was completed in the past without a specific time reference.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

This phrase is in the simple past tense, indicating an action that was completed in the past without a specific time reference. It is used when the time of the action is clear or when the focus is on the completion of the action.

Examples:

I sent an email to the client yesterday.
She sent an email with the details last week.
Did you send the email to the team?
He sent multiple emails to resolve the issue.
They sent emails to inform everyone about the change.

Alternatives:

I sent an email
I sent emails
He sent an email
She sent emails
They sent an email

This phrase is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed recently or has relevance to the present. It is used when the time of the action is not specified or is not important.

Examples:

I have sent an email to the client regarding the meeting.
She has sent an email with the updated report.
Have you sent the email to the team yet?
He has sent multiple emails to follow up on the issue.
They have sent emails to confirm the reservation.

Alternatives:

I have sent an email
I have sent emails
He has sent an email
She has sent emails
They have sent an email

Answer 1

I sent email

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

I have sent email

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I sent email" vs "I have sent email"

I sent email

I have sent email

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