Have Went vs. Have Gone (A Carla Writing Tip)

49
2.3K followers
Updated

This one is going to be sorta kinda hard to explain without using complicated grammar texts that even I don’t fully understand. However, since I've been seeing a lot of this, both at WA and many other places, here goes.

I have went to the store.

Have the letters went out yet?

It's Gone, Not Went

I have gone to the store.

Have the letters gone out yet?

I’m really not sure where the confusion comes in on this one, but there is a lot of it out there.

Easy (I Hope) Explanation

Both went and gone come from the verb “go.”

Went is the past tense of the verb go, but it’s a stand-alone verb, which means it doesn’t need helpers.

Gone is the past participle** of the verb go and needs another verb to prop it up to form a compound verb. The most common support verbs are has, had and have. Went does not need the helpers.

That's about the best I can do on this one. Just bear in mind that if you type have went, you probably want went without the has, had or have or gone with the has, had or have.

**Per Merriam-Webster Online, a past participle is the form of the verb that "expresses completed action and that is one of the principal parts of the verb, as in raised in 'Many hands were raised' and 'thrown' in 'The ball has been thrown.'"

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

132

Hi Carla. The explanation sounds complicated, but it works. Have went just doesn't sound right anyway. lol

I know. But folks don't know that. Actually, with this one, if you read it out loud, you will "hear" that it doesn't sound right.

Yep.

Right on as always!

Thanks, Tom!

Love these posts, Carla! Ever thought about condensing them into an e-book or something? God Bless! ~Cathy

I have, Cathy, but it's a really crowded niche.

Good one Carla. I have seen it around as well. I have never had any problems with this one but I love the way that you have explained it. Cheers!

Thanks, Emilie. I always worry about not being clear and this is one of the tougher ones to explain although, once you know it, you know it.

It is very clear. You are very good!!

Thank you. It's appreciated.

Well I may be guilty of that one...Lol Thanks Carla. :))

You're welcome, Kim.

I do believe I'm okay on this one Carla... And if you point out a post of mine that proves me wrong, I'll hit myself over the head with Merriam Webster's.

LOL, Pete! If you come out with this one, I'LL hit you over the head with the M-W. :)

i loved your article!! It has always bugged me when people say "I have went". Even the other way "I have gone" sounds funny. Thanks again, Carla for your grammar lesson, always appreciated
Wendy :)

You're welcome, Wendy!

Good blog! Now I have to go!

Thanks!

Yaaay!! I love the fact that you recognize the importance, and feel the beauty, of the language. Live long and prosper Carla!

Thanks! You can't beat the editor out of me at times. LOL

If anyone ever tries, just let me know! :-))

I saw your blog and went straight to it, and now I am gone get some coffee to digest it:)

Funny girl! Your English is quite good for someone who didn't grow up speaking it, Loes.

Thank you for the compliment

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training