Did vs. Done
“Did” and “done” are different forms of the irregular verb “do.” “Did” is the simple past, while “done” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “did” for the simple past and “done” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| a standalone finite simple-past form of “do” is needed | did | Use the simple past. |
| the past participle follows have, has, or had | done | Use the past participle. |
| a passive or other participial construction requires the participle | done | Use the participle where the grammar calls for it. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the form directly governed by “have,” “has,” or “had”?
If yes: Use “done.”
If no: For the ordinary standalone simple past of “do,” use “did”; check other participial constructions separately.
Caveat: Choose by the documented meaning or construction; a different pattern may be valid in a different sentence structure, region, or register.
Examples
I did the final check yesterday.
“Did” is the simple-past verb.
I have done the final check already.
“Done” is the past participle after “have.”
The work was done before noon.
The passive construction uses the past participle “done.”
Further guidance
Core difference
“Did” is the simple-past form of “do”; “done” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “do,” choose “done.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “did.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- do — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Cambridge lists did as the past tense and done as the past participle of do.