"I had sent mail" vs "I have sent mail today"

Question

"I had sent mail" vs "I have sent mail today"

The phrases are not directly comparable as they are in different tenses. 'I have sent mail today' is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. 'I had sent mail' is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed before another past action. Both phrases are correct depending on the context in which they are used.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that the action of sending mail was completed before a specific point in the past or before another past action.

Examples:

I had sent mail before she arrived.
By the time I realized, I had sent mail to the wrong address.
He had sent mail to the client, but there was no response.
She had sent mail to the wrong department, causing a delay.
They had sent mail to confirm the appointment, but there was a mix-up.

This phrase is used to indicate that the action of sending mail occurred at an unspecified time before now, with the emphasis on the present result of the action.

Examples:

I have sent mail today, so I'm expecting a response soon.
She has sent mail today, but she forgot to include the attachment.
Have you sent mail today?
They have sent mail today, but it hasn't been delivered yet.
We have sent mail today, and we are waiting for confirmation.

Answer 1

I had sent mail

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed before another past action.

Answer 2

I have sent mail today

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

"I had sent mail" vs "I have sent mail today"

I had sent mail

I have sent mail today

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