Difference between Send and Sent | Sent vs Send

What is the Difference between Send and Sent

It is no secret that English grammar can be confusing at times. Much of this confusion can be attributed to the way that the language has developed over time, and the fact that grammar rules are constantly changing.

Even the language’s most well-known rules can be broken depending on the context. This can prove to be a challenge for non-native English speakers or to students who are learning English. One such example is confusion between the usage of the words ‘sent’ and ‘send’.

Table of Contents

• Table Summarising the Difference between Send and Sent
• Meanings of Sent and Send
• Examples for Send and Sent
• Sent vs. Send – Conclusion

‘Send’ and ‘sent’ are different forms of the same verb. ‘Sent’ is the past tense and past participle form while ‘send’ is the base form of the verb. In this article, we shall explore the meanings of these words, their usage as well as various examples related to them.

Table Summarising the Difference between Send and Sent

The Meanings of Send and Sent

As discussed above, ‘send’ and ‘sent’ are essentially the same because the latter is the past tense of the former. However, the actual meaning of the word may change according to context:

• To be taken to a particular destination/cause someone or something to go or taken away:
  • Example – It was a good idea to send him off to summer school.
• Cause to be in a very specific state
  • Example – The atrocities of war can send even the toughest of men to a dark place.

Examples for Sent and Send:

We shall explore more examples:

• Send:
  • Can you send this letter?
  • Please send me your email address.
  • He sends her a present every year on her birthday.
• Sent :
  • She sent her regards.
  • The explosion sent the plane into a downward spiral.
  • The constant chopping of the wood sent the axe flying out of its handle.

Send vs. Sent – Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the difference between ‘send’ and ‘sent’, and learnt their similarities and usage. Discover other important concepts in English grammar or find other similar topics, only at BYJU’S English.