sent vs send

Question

HelloI've been doing research and reading a lot of info regarding sent vs send and I still don't get it.. ARRRRRRCan you please advise if my sentence is correct:I will send my logbook when its full.As my understnading, send is used when we are talking about now or future and sent is used in the past.Am I correct?Thanks

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

ZybastekCan you please tell me if my sentence is correct:
I will send my logbook when its full.

It’s almost correct. You have omitted an apostrophe.

ZybastekAs I understand it, send is used when we are talking about now or future

That is normally true for the plain present (tensed) form, as in I send them letters every day and I’ll let you know when I send it, but the plain (tenseless) form can be used with past time meaning, as in They were supposed to send me a check three weeks ago.

Zybastekand sent is used in the past.

Not always. For example:

I will have sent all the products by next week. (past participle form, future time reference)
If I sent you a message tonight, would you reply back? (past tense form, future time reference)

This applies to all lexical verbs, not just send.

Zybastek · Answer

Hello Aspara Gus

Thank you for your reply.

Would you be able to explain the basic rules of sent vs send please. I'am literally lost....

Thanks

RandomGuy · Answer

ZybastekWould you be able to explain the basic rules of sent vs send please. I'am literally lost....

Send is the plain/base and plain present form, and sent is the past tense and past participle form. You need to review how these forms are used and the meanings they express. A Student’s Introduction to English Grammar, by Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey Pullum, covers this topic well in Ch. 3, which I believe is viewable online at Google Books or somewhere. (a student's introduction to english grammar view - Google Search)

Then if you have a more specific question, we’ll be happy to help.

Fivejedjon · Answer

The 34 pages of H& P may be heavy going for some, so here is my brief overview.

Send is the plain/base/first form of the verb. It is used:

in talking about the verb itself: The third form of SEND (/'Send'/Send/send/Send/send) is 'sent'.
for the form commonly known as the infinitive: I can send it tomorrow. I have to send it tomorrow.
for the form commonly known as the imperative: Send it to me tomorrow.
for the affirmative form* of the present simple (unmarked) tense: We send her flowers on her birthday every year.

*With the addition of the suffix -s for the third person singular.

Sent is the past-tense/preterite/second form of the verb: We sent it yesterday.

Sent is also the past participle/third form of the verb. The second and third forms of SEND are constructed in the same way, as are the second and third forms of all regular verbs. Some irregular verbs have different second and third forms, for example SEE - 1. see,, 2. saw, 3. seen. The third form is used:

with HAVE to construct tenses/aspects commonly known as perfect: He has sent off the consignment.
with BE to construct the passive voice: The consignment was sent off yesterday.

Note that this has been only a brief summary. As AG said, if you have further questions, we'll be happy to help..

Zybastek · Answer

Thanks again guys.

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