Difference Between 'Send' and 'Sent': Grammar Explained

What is the Difference between ‘Send’ and ‘Sent’

The difference between "send" and "sent" primarily lies in their tense and usage. "Send" is the present tense form of the verb and is used to describe actions that are currently happening or are habitual. For instance, you might say, "I send emails every morning," indicating a routine or ongoing action. On the other hand, "sent" is the past tense form of the verb, used to describe actions that have already been completed. For example, "I sent the invitation last week" shows that the action of sending the invitation is finished and occurred in the past.

Table Summarising the Difference between Send and Sent

Here’s a table summarising the difference between "send" and "sent":

Examples of ‘Send’ and ‘Sent’

Here are examples of how to use "send" and "sent" in different contexts:

Examples of "Send" (Present Tense)

1. I send a birthday card to my friend every year.

• Here, "send" is used to describe a habitual action.

2. She sends an email to her boss every morning.

• "Sends" describes a routine or regular action.

3. Can you send the documents by Friday?

• "Send" is used to make a request or instruction in the present.

4. They send a newsletter to subscribers each month.

• "Send" refers to an ongoing process.

5. He always sends a thank you note after receiving a gift.

• "Sends" indicates a repeated action.

Examples of "Sent" (Past Tense)

1. I sent the package yesterday.

• "Sent" describes a completed action that occurred in the past.

2. She had already sent the invitation before the event was planned.

• "Sent" is used in the past perfect tense to indicate an action completed before another past event.

3. They sent the report last week.

• "Sent" shows that the action of sending is finished.

4. He sent a message while I was away.

• "Sent" refers to a past action that happened during a specific time.

5. We had sent the application before the deadline.

• "Sent" indicates an action that was completed prior to another event in the past.

Review Your Understanding of Usage of Send or Sent

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with either "send" or "sent."

1. I __________ the invitation last week.

2. Please __________ the report by Friday.

3. She __________ a thank you note after the party.

4. They __________ an email with the updated schedule.

5. By the time he arrived, we had already __________ the package.

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistake

Each sentence below contains an error related to the use of "send" or "sent." Correct the mistake.

1. She sends the documents yesterday.

2. We had send the letter before the meeting.

3. They send a message to inform you about the change.

4. I was out of town when he had sent the package.

5. He sends the application before the deadline.

Exercise 3: Choose the Right Form

Choose the correct form of "send" or "sent" to complete the sentences.

1. By the end of the day, I will have __________ the invitations.

a) send

b) sent

2. She __________ me a birthday card last month.

a) send

b) sent

3. Can you __________ the file as soon as possible?

a) send

b) sent

4. We __________ the request yesterday, and we are still waiting for a reply.

a) send

b) sent

5. He __________ a letter to the editor last year.

a) send

b) sent

Find Out if You Got them All Right from the Answers Below.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. I sent the invitation last week.

2. Please send the report by Friday.

3. She sent a thank you note after the party.

4. They sent an email with the updated schedule.

5. By the time he arrived, we had already sent the package.

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistake

1. She sent the documents yesterday.

2. We had sent the letter before the meeting.

3. They sent a message to inform you about the change.

4. I was out of town when he sent the package.

5. He sent the application before the deadline.

Exercise 3: Choose the Right Form

1. By the end of the day, I will have sent the invitations.

b) sent

2. She sent me a birthday card last month.

b) sent

3. Can you send the file as soon as possible?

a) send

4. We sent the request yesterday, and we are still waiting for a reply.

b) sent

5. He sent a letter to the editor last year.

b) sent

Takeaways on this Page

1. "Send" is used when referring to the current action or a future intention, as in "I will send the email tomorrow."

2. "Sent" is past form of send and is used to describe actions that have already occurred, such as "I sent the letter last week."

3. The choice between "send" and "sent" depends on the tense of the sentence, which affects the verb form used.

4. Exercises can help reinforce the correct usage of these verbs by providing practical examples and context.