Send vs Sent: When And How Can You Use Each One?

Do you ever find yourself confused about when to use “send” and when to use “sent”? It’s a common mistake that many people make, but fear not! We’re here to clear things up for you.

The proper word to use depends on the context of the sentence, but both “send” and “sent” are legitimate words in the English language. “Send” is a verb that means to cause (something) to go or be taken to a particular destination. “Sent” is also a verb, but it is the past tense and past participle of “send”. It means that something has already been sent in the past.

Now that we’ve cleared up the definitions, let’s dive deeper into when to use each word.

Define Send

Sending refers to the act of transmitting or dispatching a message, item, or information from one person or place to another. This can be done through various means, including email, postal mail, text messaging, or even in-person delivery. The act of sending requires an active effort to initiate the transfer of information or item to the intended recipient.

Define Sent

Sent, on the other hand, is the past tense of the verb send. It refers to the action of having already transmitted or dispatched a message, item, or information from one person or place to another. In other words, sent is used to describe an action that has already been completed or executed. It is often used in conjunction with a time frame to indicate when the action was performed.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make a huge difference in conveying the intended meaning. The words “send” and “sent” are often confused, but they have different uses in a sentence. Here’s how to properly use them:

How To Use “Send” In A Sentence

The word “send” is a verb that means to cause something to go or be taken to a particular destination or recipient. It is an action word that is used in the present tense. Here are some examples of how to use “send” in a sentence:

• She will send the package tomorrow.
• He sent an email to his boss.
• The company will send a representative to the conference.

As you can see, “send” is used to describe an action that is going to happen or is currently happening. It is important to note that “send” is not used to describe an action that has already happened, which is where “sent” comes in.

How To Use “Sent” In A Sentence

The word “sent” is the past tense of “send”. It is used to describe an action that has already happened. Here are some examples of how to use “sent” in a sentence:

• She sent the package yesterday.
• He sent an email to his boss last week.
• The company sent a representative to the conference last month.

It is important to use “sent” instead of “send” when referring to an action that has already happened. Using “send” in this context would be grammatically incorrect.

Overall, understanding the difference between “send” and “sent” is important for communicating effectively in written and spoken English. By following these guidelines, you can use these words correctly in your sentences.

More Examples Of Send & Sent Used In Sentences

Understanding the correct usage of send and sent in sentences is crucial in effective communication. Here are some examples of how to use these words in context:

Examples Of Using Send In A Sentence

• I will send the documents to you via email.
• She always forgets to send a thank you note.
• He asked me to send him a reminder about the meeting.
• The company will send a representative to meet with us.
• Please send me the information as soon as possible.
• They decided to send the package by express delivery.
• She will send a message to her boss to inform him of the delay.
• He promised to send a postcard from his trip.
• The teacher asked the students to send their assignments by email.
• Can you send me the link to the article?

Examples Of Using Sent In A Sentence

• I sent the package yesterday.
• She has already sent the invitations for the party.
• He sent a text message to confirm the appointment.
• The company sent a letter of apology to the customer.
• She sent a gift to her friend for her birthday.
• He sent his resume to the hiring manager.
• The school sent a notice to parents about the upcoming event.
• They sent a donation to the charity.
• We sent a package to our relatives in another country.
• She sent a copy of the report to her supervisor for review.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using send and sent, many people tend to interchange these two words. However, it is important to note that these two words have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes people make when using send and sent:

Using “Send” Instead Of “Sent” In The Past Tense

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “send” instead of “sent” in the past tense. For example, saying “I send an email yesterday” instead of “I sent an email yesterday”. This mistake occurs because the present tense of “send” is the same as the base form of the verb. However, in the past tense, the correct form is “sent”.

Using “Sent” Instead Of “Send” In The Present Tense

Another mistake people make is using “sent” instead of “send” in the present tense. For example, saying “I have sent an email” instead of “I am sending an email”. This mistake occurs because “sent” is the past tense of “send”. However, in the present tense, the correct form is “send”.

Using “Send” When Referring To Physical Objects

Some people make the mistake of using “send” when referring to physical objects. For example, saying “I will send you the package” instead of “I will mail you the package”. This mistake occurs because “send” is often associated with electronic communication, while “mail” is used for physical objects.

Using “Send” Instead Of “Bring” Or “Take”

Another mistake people make is using “send” instead of “bring” or “take”. For example, saying “Can you send me the book?” instead of “Can you bring/take me the book?”. This mistake occurs because “send” is often associated with electronic communication, while “bring” and “take” are used for physical objects.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, here are some tips:

• Always double-check the tense of the verb before using it.
• If you are referring to a physical object, use “mail”, “bring”, or “take” instead of “send”.
• Consider the context and use the appropriate verb accordingly.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “send” and “sent,” context plays a crucial role in determining which word to use. Depending on the situation, the choice between these two words can change.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “send” and “sent” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Present Tense	I need to send an email to my boss.	Send
Past Tense	Yesterday, I sent an email to my boss.	Sent
Conditional Tense	If I had known earlier, I would have sent the report sooner.	Sent
Passive Voice	The report was sent to the client last week.	Sent
Imperative Mood	Please send me the details as soon as possible.	Send

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between “send” and “sent” depends on the tense, voice, and mood of the sentence. It’s important to pay attention to these details in order to choose the correct word.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using send and sent are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. These exceptions can cause confusion, but understanding them can help you use these words correctly in a variety of situations.

Exception 1: Phrasal Verbs

One exception to the rules for using send and sent is when they are used as part of a phrasal verb. In these cases, the meaning of the verb changes depending on whether it is used with send or sent.

Phrasal Verb	Meaning with “send”	Meaning with “sent”
Send off	To dispatch or mail something	To cause someone to leave quickly
Send out	To distribute or broadcast something	To emit or give off something

As you can see, the meaning of these phrasal verbs changes depending on whether they are used with send or sent. It is important to understand these differences to avoid confusion.

Exception 2: Idiomatic Expressions

Another exception to the rules for using send and sent is when they are used in idiomatic expressions. These expressions have a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words used.

• Send shivers down someone’s spine: To cause someone to feel fear or excitement
• Send someone packing: To dismiss or send someone away
• Have sent: To be mentally unstable or crazy

These idiomatic expressions can be confusing for non-native speakers, but they are commonly used in English. It is important to understand their meanings to avoid miscommunication.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and use of send and sent can be achieved through practice exercises. Here are some exercises that can help:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Fill in the blank with the correct form of send or sent:

1. The package was __________ last week.
2. Please __________ me the report as soon as possible.
3. He __________ his resume to the company.
4. She __________ an email to the client yesterday.
5. They have __________ out invitations for the party.

Answer Key:

1. sent
2. send
3. sent
4. sent
5. sent

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Form

Choose the correct form of send or sent to complete the sentence:

1. The post office __________ packages all over the world.
2. Yesterday, I __________ an important email to my boss.
3. She has never __________ a text message before.
4. He will __________ the documents by courier.
5. The company __________ out a press release last week.

Answer Key:

1. sends
2. sent
3. sent
4. send
5. sent

Exercise 3: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the sentence using the correct form of send or sent:

1. He sended the email yesterday.
2. The package was send last week.
3. They have sent out invitations for the party.
4. Please send me the report as soon as possible.
5. The company sended out a press release last week.

Answer Key:

1. He sent the email yesterday.
2. The package was sent last week.
3. They have sent out invitations for the party.
4. Please send me the report as soon as possible.
5. The company sent out a press release last week.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of “send” and “sent” in the English language is an important aspect of grammar that should not be overlooked. Understanding the proper usage of these words can help to convey a clear and concise message in both written and spoken communication.

Key Takeaways

• “Send” is the present tense of the verb, while “sent” is the past tense.
• The word “send” can be used in a variety of contexts, such as sending an email or sending a package.
• It is important to use the correct tense when using “send” and “sent” to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

By mastering the usage of “send” and “sent,” individuals can improve their communication skills and avoid common grammar mistakes. However, this is just one aspect of the English language and there is always more to learn. We encourage readers to continue their learning journey and explore other areas of grammar and language use.