Send vs. Sent: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 14, 2024
"Send" is the present tense verb meaning to cause to go or to be taken somewhere, while "Sent" is the past tense and past participle form of "send."
Key Differences
"Send" is used in the present tense, indicating an action that is currently happening or generally true. For example, "I send emails every day." In contrast, "Sent" is the past tense form, used to describe an action that has already been completed, as in "I sent the email yesterday."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
When constructing sentences, "send" often requires an auxiliary verb in different tenses (e.g., will send, is sending), whereas "sent" can stand alone in the past tense or be used with an auxiliary verb in perfect tenses (e.g., has sent, had sent).
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
"Send" is versatile and can be used in various contexts and tenses. "Sent," however, is limited to past contexts. For instance, "send" can be used in imperative sentences like "Please send help!" whereas "sent" is used for reporting past actions, "He sent help immediately."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
"Send" remains the same in present simple for all persons except the third person singular, which adds an -s (sends). "Sent" is consistent in all persons and numbers in the past simple and past participle.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
In everyday communication, "send" is often used to refer to ongoing or future actions (e.g., "I will send the files"), while "sent" refers to actions that have been completed (e.g., "I have already sent the files").
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Sentence Formation
Requires auxiliary verbs for different tenses
Can stand alone in past or with auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses
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Feb 14, 2024
Conjugation
Changes in third person singular (sends)
Consistent in all persons and numbers
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Feb 14, 2024
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Send and Sent Definitions
Send
To cause someone to go to a particular place.
They send their children to the best schools.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sent
Past tense of send, indicating an action of transmitting something in the past.
He sent an email last night.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause to be conveyed by an intermediary to a destination
Send goods by plane.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sent
Used to describe an action of emitting or giving off in the past.
The oven sent a burning smell.
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Jan 12, 2024
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Sent
Used to express that something has been dispatched previously.
The gifts were sent two days ago.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sent
Referring to a past action of directing someone to a destination.
She was sent to the principal's office.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sent
Past participle used in perfect tenses to indicate completed action.
I have sent the documents you asked for.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To direct (a person) to a source of information; refer
Sent the student to the reference section of the library.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To give off (heat, for example); emit or issue
A stove that sends forth great warmth.
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Jan 12, 2024
Sent
A subdivision of currency, equal to one hundredth of an Estonian kroon.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To hit so as to direct or propel with force; drive
The batter sent the ball to left field. The slap on my back sent me staggering.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause to take place or occur
We will meet whatever vicissitudes fate may send.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To put or drive into a given state or condition
Horrifying news that sent them into a panic.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
(Slang) To transport with delight; carry away
That music really sends me.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To dispatch someone to do an errand or convey a message
Let's send out for hamburgers.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To dispatch a request or order, especially by mail
Send away for a new catalogue.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To transmit a message or messages
The radio operator was still sending when the ship went down.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To make something (such as an object or message) go from one place to another (or to someone).
Every day at two o'clock, he sends his secretary out to buy him a coffee.
She sends me a letter every month.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message or do an errand.
Seeing how ill she was, we sent for a doctor at once.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
(transitive) To cause to be or to happen; to bring, bring about; (archaic) to visit: (Referring to blessing or reward) To bestow; to grant. (Referring to curse or punishment) To inflict. Sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To make a successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
She finally sent the 12a after hours of failed attempts.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
An icon (usually on a computer screen and labeled with the word "Send") on which one clicks (with a mouse or its equivalent) or taps to transmit an email or other electronic message.
Good thing I didn't hit send on that resume; I just noticed a bad typo.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
A callout or diss usually aimed at a specific person, often in the form of a diss track.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause to go in any manner; to dispatch; to commission or direct to go; as, to send a messenger.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.
I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Servants, sent on messages, stay out somewhat longer than the message requires.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To give motion to; to cause to be borne or carried; to procure the going, transmission, or delivery of; as, to send a message.
He . . . sent letters by posts on horseback.
O send out thy light an thy truth; let them lead me.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To emit; to impel; to cast; to throw; to hurl; as, to send a ball, an arrow, or the like.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause to be or to happen; to bestow; to inflict; to grant; - sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke.
And sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God send your mission may bring back peace.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message, or to do an errand.
See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head?
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To pitch; as, the ship sends forward so violently as to endanger her masts.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
Cause to go somewhere;
The explosion sent the car flying in the air
She sent her children to camp
He directed all his energies into his dissertation
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause or order to be taken, directed, or transmitted to another place;
He had sent the dispatches downtown to the proper people and had slept
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
Cause to be directed or transmitted to another place;
Send me your latest results
I'll mail you the paper when it's written
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;
We cannot air this X-rated song
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause something to go or be taken to a particular destination.
Please send the package to my office.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To cause a message or communication to be transmitted.
I will send a reply as soon as possible.
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Jan 12, 2024
Send
To arrange for the delivery of, especially by post.
Did you send the letters this morning?
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Jan 12, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "send" and "sent" be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot as they represent different tenses.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Is "send" always in the present tense?
Yes, but it can be modified for future tense with auxiliary verbs.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
What is the basic meaning of "send"?
"Send" means to cause to go or to be taken somewhere.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
How is "sent" different from "send"?
"Sent" is the past form of "send," used for actions that have already happened.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
What tense is "sent" used in?
It's used in the past tense or as a past participle.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
How do I use "send" in a sentence?
As an action happening now or in the future, like "I will send an email."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Is "send" used in formal communication?
Yes, it's common in both formal and informal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
What is an example of "sent" in a sentence?
Indicating a completed action, such as "I sent an email."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Can "send" be used in imperative sentences?
Yes, like "Send help immediately."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Can "sent" be used in present perfect tense?
Yes, with auxiliary verbs, like "has sent."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
How do I know when to use "send" or "sent"?
Choose based on whether the action is current/future (send) or past (sent).
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Can "send" indicate a future action?
Yes, with the future tense, like "will send."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
Can "send" be used in continuous tenses?
Yes, like "is sending" or "was sending."
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Feb 14, 2024
Are "send" and "sent" used in all types of communication?
Yes, they're versatile and used in various forms of communication.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
What is the passive form of "send"?
It's "is sent" in present or "was sent" in past.
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Feb 14, 2024
How do I use "sent" in perfect tenses?
With auxiliary verbs, like "have sent" or "had sent."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 14, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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