"what you did" vs "what you have done"

Question

"what you did" vs "what you have done"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What you have done' is used when referring to actions that have a connection to the present or are ongoing. 'What you did' is used when referring to actions that were completed in the past.

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

Use 'what you did' when you want to talk about actions that were done and completed in the past without a direct connection to the present.

Examples:

Tell me what you did yesterday.
I heard about what you did at the party.
I know what you did last summer.

Alternatives:

what you performed
what you accomplished
what you achieved
what you undertook
what you completed

Use 'what you have done' when you want to talk about actions that have been completed but have relevance to the present moment or are still ongoing.

Examples:

I appreciate what you have done for me.
Can you explain what you have done so far?
I'm impressed by what you have done with the project.

Alternatives:

what you have accomplished
what you have achieved
what you have undertaken
what you have completed
what you have performed

Answer 1

what you did

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to actions that were completed in the past.

Answer 2

what you have done

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to actions that have a connection to the present or are ongoing.

"what you did" vs "what you have done"

what you did

what you have done

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