I Did or I Done? Which One Is Correct
Quick Answer
The correct form is "I did" for simple past tense.
"Done" is the past participle and requires a helping verb: "I have done."
Explanation
The verb "do" has three forms:
| Base Form | Simple Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| do | did | done |
Simple Past: "did"
Used alone as the main verb
"I did my homework."
Past Participle: "done"
Needs a helping verb (have/has/had)
"I have done my homework."
Note: "I done" is common in some dialects but is considered non-standard in formal English.
Examples
✔I did the dishes last night.
✔She did a great job on the project.
✔I have done everything you asked.
✔The work was done by professionals.
✘I done the dishes last night.
✘She done a great job.
Common Mistake
Incorrect: I done my best, but it wasn't enough.
Correct: I did my best, but it wasn't enough.
Also correct: I have done my best, but it wasn't enough.
Practice
Fix the sentence:
"I done told you a hundred times!"