Is done or Has been done Grammar Lesson( Was done or Have/Has Done)

Grammar / By

“Is Done” and “Has been done” are both passive voice verb forms. We use “is done” to show something is finished in the present simple and “has been done” for the present perfect simple tense.

Is done

We use “Is done” to show that something is completed. It is common to use this when talking about a project, task, or cooking a dish.

The shepherd’s pie is done. Take it out of the oven.

We have finished that side of the wall. It is done.

“Is done” is an example of the passive voice in English. We use the passive voice in this context because it is not important who did the task, but rather the result is more important. 

Was done

“Was done” is also a passive voice example to show that something “was completed” in the past.

We often use “was done” when a task was completed but now something needs to be done again.

The shopping was done on Tuesday but with 5 children we need to do it again. 

Have/Has Done

“Have/Has Done” is the present perfect form of the verb “to do”.

I have done my homework.

We often use the present perfect to make a connection between something in the past and present. You can read more about the present perfect here.

Has been done

“Has been done” is the present perfect form in the passive voice.

We use “has been done” when something was completed in the past but there is some connection to the present. (often that it doesn’t need to be done again)

That song has been done a thousand times. We don’t need to do it again. 

Had done

“Had done” is the past perfect of the verb “to do”. We use “had done” before another past action.

I had done the washing before you came in and added more!

 

Conor
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