Discussions
Back to Discussions

'Have you received it?' or 'Did you receive it?'

K-Mansfield
Situation: Someone sent me an email and now is inquiring whether I received it. Which one is correct for them to ask: 'Have you received it?' or 'Did you receive it?' For me, the first one seems better, but I've heard the second one many times.

11 comments

rustyswings
Grammatically either. Tonally - maybe the former is softer and slightly more formal or neutral. The latter is more direct and depending on the context might be considered a little firmer. But that's very subtle and highly subjective. eg, I'd use 'have' for a friendly enquiry as to whether it has hit someone's inbox or not. I'd use 'did' if I was checking why they hadn't responded or taken action.
Usual_Ice636
Personally I'd say "Did you get it yet?" or "have you gotten it?"
werpicus
Either is fine, but fairly formal. In most casual settings I would say “Did you get it?”
coresect23
Also consider that these phrases can be interpreted in the following ways: Have you received it? (It might still arrive). Did you receive it? (The time for receiving it has finished).
saywhatyoumeanESL
Prescriptively speaking, I think the present perfect is more appropriate, as it connects the past action (sending the email) with a present result (email received or not). Descriptively speaking, many American English speakers use the simple past where other dialects use the present perfect.
DunkinRadio
Either is fine.
Dachd43
There is a very very very slight nuance. "Have you received it?" means they have been waiting for a something and want to know if it has arrived because it may or may not have gotten there yet. (like an email with a large attachment) "Did you receive it?" means you expect that the message *should have* arrived already want to know if it ever actually got there.
uniquename___
Sometimes present perfect and past simple are interchangeable, like in your case. But if you want to emphasize the result of the action, you use present perfect.
JadeHarley0
I think both are acceptable
Umbra_175
The first is in present perfect tense and the second is in simple past tense. Based upon your preference, choose either.
Pleasant-Engine6816
If they sent it just now or a few minutes ago - have