i have done the english homework

Had Done vs. Have Done – What’s the Difference? (+Examples)

Have you ever had difficulties making sense of past tenses and how to use them? For example, what’s the difference between “Had Done” and “Have Done”? We want to know when each of the forms should be used and what exactly they mean in a sentence.

Let’s find out.

Had Done vs. Have Done – What’s the Difference?

Both “Had Done” and “Have Done” express actions that happened in the past. “Have Done” is the present perfect tense, and indicates an action was just finished or finished in the recent past. “Had Done” is the past perfect tense, and expresses an action taken before another action.

Believe me when I tell you it’s less complicated than it sounds. Let’s start by looking at some examples:

• I have done the dishes.
• I had just done the dishes when Howard approached me.

The first sentence indicates the dishes are done. In fact, the present perfect form expresses that the dishes were done recently and possibly the action just finished. In this context, the correct form is “Have Done”.

The second sentence indicates that the dishes were done before Howard approached the subject. In other others, a second action (the approach) took place after the first action (doing the dishes) happened.

In that scenario, the correct form to use is the past perfect, and the correct form is “Had Done”.

“Had Done” is the past perfect of the verb “Do”. It should be used to indicate that an action had been fished before a second action took place. The idea, simply put, is to express that action A was finished before action B happened.

To make better sense of how this works, let’s go over some examples of sentences that use the form “Had Done”:

• I had done the cleaning before I went to work.
• He had done the laundry before Anna, so she could take as much time as she needed.
• We had already done the organizing before the boss told us to.
• Liz had done her work and submitted it before it was due.
• Even before you reminded me, I had done the grocery shopping already.

“Had Done” will always make it clear that the action it is describing took place before another action in the past took place. The order in the sentence might be inverted (like in sentence 5) but the timeline is expresses will always remain clear.

If you’re talking about only one action, you should use the form “Have Done”.

“Have Done” is a bit simpler than “Had Done”, because it can express one stand-alone action, without the need to think about what happened before or after. “Have Done” is the present perfect of the verb “Do” and should be used to indicate an action was just recently finished.

Take a look at the sentences in the examples, that use the form “Have Done”:

• I have done all my homework.
• John has done all his work for the week.
• Luana has done the dishes, so I didn’t have to.
• The janitors have done all the cleaning this morning, in case you haven’t noticed.
• I asked Jose about the report, and he told me he has done it already.

Which Is Used the Most?

Which one of those forms is used more often, “Have Done” or “Had Done”? Take a look at the graph from Google Ngram Viewer below.

“Have Done” is used more than “Had Done”, but just by a slim difference. It was actually interesting to see, in the graph, that both expressions follow the exact same trends over the years: when one goes up, the other follows, and vice versa.

As of now, both seem to be used almost at the same frequency. We think this makes sense, because “Have Done” and “Had Done” indicate different past tenses and, consequently, tell different stories.

Final Thoughts

Both “Have Done” and “Had done” are grammatically correct. Use “Have Done”, the present perfect tense, to describe actions that just took place and are recently finished. Use “Had Done” to describe an action finished in the past, that took place before another action that happened afterward.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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Is Done or Has Been Done: Understanding When to Use Which

Marcus Froland

March 28, 2024

Grammar can be a tricky beast. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, another rule pops up to throw you for a loop. And let’s not even get started on the tangle that is past participles and passive voice. But worry not! We’re here to shed some light on one of the most common conundrums people face: understanding the difference between “is done,” “has been done,” “was done,” and “have/has done.”

This might seem like just another grammar topic, but getting it right can make or break your sentence structure. It’s about nailing down those subtle nuances that elevate your English from ‘good’ to ‘impressive.’ So if you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering which form to use in your writing or speech, stick around. You’re about to discover something that will sharpen your language skills.

In English grammar, the difference between “ is done ” and “ has been done ” lies in their use and meaning. “ Is done ” is used for actions that are completed very recently or emphasize the result in the present moment. For example, “The report is done.” On the other hand, “ has been done ” refers to actions that were finished at some unspecified time in the past and may still influence the present. It suggests an action’s completion without specifying when, like “The research has been done.”

The choice between “ was done ” and “ have/has done ” also depends on context. Use “ was done ” for actions completed in a specific past time frame, e.g., “The task was done yesterday.” In contrast, use “ have/has done ” (present perfect tense) to talk about past actions with relevance to the present moment without stating exactly when they happened, e.g., “I have finished my homework.”

In short, understanding these differences improves clarity in writing and speaking by correctly indicating when an action occurred or its relevance to now.

Cracking the Code of Passive Voice in English

Understanding the passive voice in English grammar involves grasping various forms like is done , was done , has been done , and had done . These forms help emphasize the action over the doer, making them essential in effective communication. The key lies in choosing the appropriate tense to reflect the time of the action and its relevance to the present. Let’s explore each passive form and its purpose:

• Present Simple Passive : Indicates current completeness
• Past Passive : Illustrates completed past actions
• Present Perfect Passive : Focuses on past actions with present relevance
• Past Perfect Passive: Highlights actions completed before other past actions

A correct understanding of the passive voice empowers you to communicate your thoughts effectively and adapt to various contexts.

Each passive form signifies a specific point in time or a relationship between actions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of passive forms and their intended use:

By mastering the different uses of passive voice in English grammar, you can enhance your communication skills and express your thoughts with clarity and precision. In the following sections, we will dive deeper into each form to build your expertise.

Present Simple Passive: “Is Done” Explained

In American English grammar , the passive voice plays a crucial role, especially when the focus is on the result rather than the doer of the action. The present simple passive is an essential tool in various contexts, emphasizing the completion of tasks without specifying who did them. Let’s explore the role of passive voice in American English, its usage, and common scenarios where the present simple passive “is done” comes into play.

The Role of Passive Voice in American English

The passive voice is useful for putting emphasis on the action itself and the result, rather than who performed it. This form of expression serves as an important aspect of American English grammar , facilitating effective communication when the doer of an action is either unknown or unimportant. In these scenarios, the present simple passive, also known as “ is done, ” becomes essential in conveying the completion of tasks, projects, or other accomplishments.

Common Scenarios for Using “Is Done”

In various situations, “is done” can effectively illustrate the completion of a task. Some common scenarios include:

• Task completion notifications
• Finished projects
• Completed dishes in a cooking context

In each of these examples, the use of “is done” allows readers to understand that the task is currently complete, regardless of who completed it. This present simple passive construction efficiently communicates this vital information through passive voice usage .

“The project is done , and the results will be presented at the meeting.”

In this example, by using “is done,” the focus is on the project’s completion rather than who completed it. Thus, the present simple passive effectively highlights the current state of project completion with no emphasis on the performer.

In summary, the present simple passive form “is done” holds significant value in American English grammar . When used in relevant contexts like task completion notifications, projects, and finished dishes, this construction effectively communicates the completion status without emphasizing the performer, instead focusing on the result itself.

Past Passive Construction: When to Use “Was Done”

Understanding the nuances of the passive voice can significantly enhance your writing skills. In this section, we will focus on the past passive construction and explore the usage of “was done” in various contexts.

The past passive construction , primarily conveyed using “was done”, is used to indicate past completions or actions that took place in a known time frame. The key to mastering this construction is to remember that the focus remains on the occurrence of the action and not the doer.

Now, let’s take a look at some passive voice examples and how “was done” may better suit the context.

Examples of “Was Done” in Context

Here, we will briefly discuss some scenarios where “was done” is the appropriate choice to use:

• Shopping completed last week: “The shopping was done last week.”
• Tasks requiring repetition: “The laundry was done yesterday, but it will need to be done again tomorrow.”
• Past events with a specified time: “The cake was done for my birthday party.”

Note that in these examples, using “has been done” would be incorrect since it signifies a connection or relevance to the present, while “was done” clearly points to a past action with a specified time frame.

Remember, when referring to a past completed action with a defined time, “was done” is the most appropriate choice.

To further refine your understanding of “was done” and other passive voice examples , let’s examine a table comparing “is done” and “was done” in various contexts:

By developing a solid understanding of the past passive construction and when to use “was done”, you can effortlessly convey past completed actions while retaining the passive voice’s focus on the action itself.

The Present Perfect Puzzle: “Have/Has Done”

In mastering English grammar, it’s essential to understand the use of the present perfect tense with “have done” and “has done.” The present perfect tense indicates that an action was completed at some unspecified time in the past and is still relevant in the present. This tense is particularly valuable in situations where the focus is more on the current relevance of a past action, rather than the action itself.

“I have done my homework.”

Take this example; the speaker conveys that the homework is now complete, with the main point of interest being that it will not need to be carried out again in the present. However, it’s important to remember that using present perfect tense with a specified time is a common mistake.

• Incorrect: I have done my homework last night.
• Correct: I did my homework last night.

When specifying a time frame, use the simple past passive form instead of the present perfect tense for accurate grammar usage.

Let’s dive deeper into the usage of “have done” and “has done” by examining examples involving everyday scenarios with the help of a table.

As shown in the table, “has done” is used for singular subjects, while “have done” is used for plural subjects.

By fully understanding the nuances and rules of “have done” and “has done” in English grammar, you’ll be well-equipped to express actions that were completed in the past, communicate their current relevance, and ultimately, brighten your grammar skills.

Unveiling “Has Been Done”: Present Perfect Passive

In our journey to understand more complex grammar distinctions , the present perfect passive is a key concept. “Has been done” is often used in this form, emphasizing the connection between past actions and their present relevance. Let’s dive deeper into the nuances of this structure and how it differs from the present perfect .

When Past Actions Connect to the Present

Understanding when to use “has been done” relies on recognizing the action relevance between past and present. The present perfect passive is ideal for expressing completed actions with ongoing impacts. For instance, if a song has been performed so frequently that it no longer needs to be played, you might say, “The song has been played a thousand times, and the audience has had enough.”

“The sales targets have been met, so there’s no need for the team to work overtime.”

In the previous example, the sales targets were reached in the past, but the action has a critical relevance to the present – overtime is unnecessary. The present perfect passive with “has been done” emphasizes the state of completion that influences the present situation.

Distinguishing Between “Has Done” and “Has Been Done”

The grammatical distinction between “has done” and “has been done” can be challenging. The focus of the sentence and the speaker’s view on the action’s timeline will help you choose the most appropriate phrase. Here’s a comparative list to help you differentiate between the two:

As you hone your skills in using the present perfect passive and “has been done” correctly, you’ll discover the intricate relationship between grammar and meaning. This understanding will enable you to create even more richly nuanced texts and engaging content.

Past Perfect Passive: The Case for “Had Done”

Working with past perfect passive involves understanding the form “had done” and knowing when to use it. This grammatical construction allows you to express actions that were completed before another event took place in the past, providing valuable context for readers and clarifying the timeline of events.

Let’s consider an example. Imagine a situation in which, prior to going on a weeklong vacation, you managed to finish all your pending tasks. To describe this, you can say, “All my work had been done before I left for vacation.” In this sentence, the form “had been done” shows that the completion of tasks occurred before your departure.

By understanding how to use “had done” and incorporating it into your writing, you’ll be able to effectively communicate past events and highlight the order in which they took place. This essential skill will make your writing more precise, informative, and engaging for your readers.

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Grammar Exercise: Subject / Verb Agreement

Look at each sentence and think about subject/verb agreement. Which is the correct answer?

1. Everyone have done the homework as expected.     Correct     Not Correct

2. Some of the money is missing.     Correct     Not Correct

3. Somebody has forgotten to turn off the TV.     Correct     Not Correct

4. Each of the cars in the street are new.     Correct     Not Correct

5. The President as well as his brother was a guest.     Correct     Not Correct

6. Neither of the computers are working.     Correct     Not Correct

7. Either wine is fine, thank you.     Correct     Not Correct

8. The pair of gloves isn't mine.     Correct     Not Correct

9. The Stars and Stripes fly over the court building.     Correct     Not Correct

10. Twelve miles is a long distance to run.     Correct     Not Correct

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Do – Does – Did – Done

DO – DOES – DID – DONE

The word  DO  appears a lot in English.

This is because it can be a verb, as in the verb  TO DO  which can be conjugated as Do and Does in the present tense, Did in the past tense and Done as a past participle.

DO can also be an  AUXILIARY  verb in the form of Do / Does to make questions in the present tense and Did to make questions in the past tense.

Let’s look at each one in more detail. We will start with the verb TO DO.

As we have seen, the verb  TO DO  has four forms: Do / Does / Did and Done Lets look at its form in the simple present tense.  

TO DO – Present Tense

With the verb TO DO in the Present Tense… We say: I do / you do / we do / they do But we say: he does / she does / it does

Let’s look at some example sentences:

• I  do  my laundry on Saturdays.

(Do my laundry means I wash my clothes, well, I put in the washing machine)

• They  do  their chores when they arrive home.

(Chores is the housework you need to do like washing the dishes, doing the vacuuming, etc.)

• He  does  nothing all day. (That’s right… he is quite lazy, he does absolutely nothing.)
• She  does charity work when she has time. (People that do charity work are superheroes)

TO DO – Past Tense

The simple past tense of DO is  DID  for all subjects: I did / you did / we did / they did / he did / she did / it did Notice how there is only one form of the verb in the past tense…. DID .

• He  did  a magic trick. (Yes, and everyone was amazed… wooow!)
• The baby  did  a fart. (Yes, and the smell made everyone cry. How can such a cute thing produce something so rotten.)
• I  did  my homework in record time. (Yes, it only took me 5 hours instead of 10)
• She did ballet after school last year. (This year she is doing something different)

TO DO – Past Participle

The past participle of DO is  DONE . Remember that past participles are accompanied by a conjugation of the verb  TO HAVE  or  TO BE  (which means it is in the correct tense according to the subject)

In general Have + past participle is used with a perfect tense and BE + past participle is with the passive voice . Let’s look at some examples:

• I have  done  my homework.
• He has  done  a good job.

These two sentences are in the present perfect tense because they have have or has before the past participle done .

• The video will show you how it is  done .
• The report was  done  on time.

Here we used a conjugation of the verb To Be before the past participle done .

TO DO – To replace a verb

We sometimes use the verb  DO  to  replace a verb when the meaning is clear  or obvious. This replacement is more common in informal spoken English:

• Have you  done  the dishes yet?

(Here done means washed )

• I’ll  do  the kitchen if you  do  the lawns

(The first do means clean – The second do means mow )

Sometimes Do , Does , and Did are used as auxiliaries to make questions in English.

Let’s start with DO and DOES:

DO / DOES – For Questions

To make a question in the simple present tense in English we normally put the auxiliary Do or Does at the beginning of the question before the subject. After the subject is the verb in its base form which means the infinitive without TO at the beginning. Look at this affirmative sentence:

• You speak English.

How can we make this a question? We add DO at the beginning so it becomes:

• Do  you speak English?

You will see that we add  DO  at the beginning when the subject is  I ,  you ,  we  or  they .

But look at this affirmative sentence:

• He speaks Arabic.

To make this a question we say:

• Does  he speak Arabic?

You can see that we add  DOES  at the beginning when the subject is  he ,  she or  it .

Notice how the letter  S  at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the question. That is because the verb is in the base form of the infinitive.

NOTE: We  DON’T  use  Do  or  Does  in questions that have the verb  To Be  or  Modal Verbs  (can, must, might, should etc.)

DID – For Questions

Let’s look at the auxiliary DID.

To make a question in the Simple Past Tense in English we normally put the auxiliary DID at the beginning of the question before the subject. And just like in the present tense, After the subject is the verb in its base form which means the infinitive with TO at the beginning. Look at this affirmative sentence:

• You lived in Spain.

How can we make this a question? We add DID at the beginning so it becomes:

• Did  you live in Spain?

We use the verb form Live and NOT lived because the auxiliary DID show that the question is in the past tense.

Did is also used with He, She and It. So with this affirmative sentence:

• She lived in Japan.

To make it a question in the past tense we say:

• Did she live in Japan?

Again we use DID for questions in the past EXCEPT with To Be  and  Modal Verbs  such as  Can . Compare these questions:

• Do you speak English?
• Did you speak English?

The only difference between a question in the present tense and the past tense is the first part… DO or DID. And look at these two questions

• Does he speak Italian?
• Did he speak Italian?

The only difference between a question in the present tense and the past tense when it refers to third person (he, she, or it) is the first part… DOES or DID.

Auxiliary and Verb together

Look at this question:

• Do you do exercises every day?

Why are there two DOs in this question? The first DO is necessary because we are making a question in the simple present tense. The second DO is from the verb TO DO. You DO exercises.

What happens if instead of YOU we are asking about another person?

• Does she do exercises every day?

We use DOES because it is necessary for simple present tense questions for third person, in this case for SHE. Does she….? Again DO appears because you DO exercises. It appears as DO and not DOES because the verb needs to be in the base form of the infinitive.

Of course in the past tense you would say:

• Did you do exercises yesterday?

Did is an auxiliary which is needed to make a question. Do is from the verb To Do.

DO and DOES – For Emphasis

Sometimes  Do / Does / Did  are used in  positive sentences  to give special  emphasis that what you say is true, despite what the other person thinks. Note that when speaking, the word ( do/does/did ) is stressed.

• I  do  want to go. (We put stress on the word  DO  to emphasize that we really want to go, even if you think it is not true.)
• I  did  study for the test. (Contrary to what you may believe… yes, I studied)

Notice that  Did  is used for positive sentences in the past tense and that the main verb is in its base form.

• Yes, he  does  like broccoli. (You may be surprised but yes, he likes broccoli)
• You  do  need tickets for the event. (I am emphasizing that fact that tickets ARE needed despite what you think.)

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

“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.

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.

“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” 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.

Have/Has Done

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

Has been done

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

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

English Homework

✔︎ free homework PDFs ✔︎ for teachers to use with ESL classes ✔︎ printer-friendly ✔︎ answers provided

Level: pre-intermediate

Grammar homework.

• Homework: Present Continuous I am doing, I am not doing...
• Homework: Present Simple I am, I am not, I have, I don't have...
• Homework: Future Simple I will do, I won't do...
• Homework: SHOULD/SHOULDN'T you should do, you shouldn't do...
• Homework: Past Continuous I was doing, we were doing, they were doing...
• Homework: MUST vs HAVE TO must do, mustn't do, have to do, don't have to do...
• Homework: Comparative Adjectives colder, better, easier, more expensive...
• Homework: Superlative Adjectives the smallest, the worst, the most expensive...
• Homework: Definite or Indefinite Article a, at, the
• Homework: Demonstrative Determiners this, that, these, those
• Homework: Zero Conditional If I don't get exercise, I get fat
• Homework: First Conditional If you go to bed late, you’ll be tired tomorrow
• Homework: Second Conditional If I saw a snake, I would scream
• Homework: GOING TO it is going to rain...
• Homework: Prepositions of Place at, in, above, below...
• Homework: Prepositions of Time at, in, on

Level: intermediate

• Nouns as Adjectives horse race, accounts department, shoe store...
• Homework: Interrogative Pronouns who, whom, whose, which, what...
• Grading Adverbs slightly, rather, very, extremely...
• Non-Gradable Adjectives freezing, tiny, filthy, boiling, furious...
• Homework: Reported Speech Tom said he was bored, I asked where he was...
• Homework: Countable vs Uncountable Nouns job/work, suitcase/luggage...
• Homework: Tag Questions It's cold, isn't it?...
• Homework: Phrasal Verbs put up, turn off, break down...
• Homework: Future Continuous I will be doing, I won't be doing...
• Homework: Future Perfect I will have done, I won't have done...
• Homework: Past Perfect Continuous I had been doing, I hadn't been doing...
• Homework: Past Perfect I had seen, he had seen...
• Homework: Reflexive Pronouns myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself...
• Homework: Adverbs of Place where, here, there, downstairs, everywhere...
• Homework: Adverbs of Degree fairly, pretty, quite, extremely, totally...
• Homework: Adverbs of Manner badly, well, slowly, easily, loudly...
• Homework: Adverbs of Time now, then, yesterday, tomorrow, earlier...
• Homework: BE USED TO vs USED TO I’m used to waking up early / I used to wake up early...
• Homework: Third Conditional If I had known it was your birthday, I would have sent you a card
• Homework: Coordinating Conjunctions for, and, but, or, yet...
• Homework: Subordinating Conjunctions although, despite, while, because, since...
• Homework: Indefinite Pronouns somebody, anybody, nothing, everything, anywhere...
• Homework: Infinitive or -ing to be/being, to do/doing, to eat/eating...
• Homework: Passive Voice is made, are used, was born, was invented, were stolen...
• Homework: Past Simple vs Present Perfect Simple I did vs I have done...
• Homework: Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous I have done vs I have been doing...
• Homework: Quantifiers a few, a little, much, many, a lot of...
• Homework: Possessive Pronouns mine, yours, his...
• Homework: Relative Pronouns who, whom, which, that...

Vocabulary Homework

• Homework: Measure Words with Uncountable Nouns packet, piece, grain, bar, jar...
• Homework: Prepositions of Movement towards, over, around, across, past...
• Homework: Common Prepositions as, for, since, but, plus...
• Homework: Nouns the are Countable and Noncountable delight/delights, iron/irons, glass/glasses...
• Homework: Negative Contractions mustn't, daren't, can't, won't, mightn't...
• Homework: Positive Contractions it's, it'll, we've, he'd, she'll...
• Homework: Partitive Expressions with Uncountable Nouns piece of advice, drop of blood, grain of truth...
• Homework: Common Collocations take a photo, do your nails, pay attention...
• Homework: Company Structure Vocabulary A.G.M., president, Sales Dept, shareholder...
• Homework: Internet Vocabulary phishing, forum, subscribe, hacker, forward...
• Homework: Presentations Vocabulary marker, flip chart, finally, microphone, OHP...
• Homework: Meetings Vocabulary ballot, adjourn, vote, agenda, minutes...
• Homework: Resume Vocabulary skill, bilingual, reference, cover letter, career...
• Homework: Numbers Vocabulary plus, subtract, kilo, zero, billion...
• Homework: Negotiation Vocabulary haggle, dispute, deadlock, compromise, low-ball...
• Homework: Marketing Vocabulary brand, trademark, launch, product, digital marketing...
• Homework: Newspaper Vocabulary editor, tabloid, journalist, sensationalist, headline...
• Homework: Insurance Vocabulary premium, policy, claim, goods in transit, liability...
• Homework: Pollution Vocabulary sewage, smog, industrialised, fossil fuels, pollution...
• Homework: Advertising Vocabulary billboard, target, ad, promote, commercial...
• Homework: Property Vocabulary tenant, rent, estate agent, freehold, landlord...
• Homework: Law Vocabulary jury, barrister, sentence, sue, attorney...
• Homework: Money Vocabulary invest, hard currency, transaction, cashier...
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Yale Grammatical Diversity Project English in North America 

Done my homework.

(Yerastov 2010b:117)

The done my homework construction involves a form of the word be , followed by the participle finished or done (or, for some speakers, started ), followed by a noun phrase. (1) and (2) show two examples of this construction:

1) I’m done my homework. 2) I’m finished my homework.

Note that the noun phrase does not have to be my homework . In fact, it can be almost any noun phrase, as shown by the following examples taken from Hinnell (2012:4):

3) a. Martin is done his bass tracks and we are ready to start vocals. b. By the time I am done dinner , I don’t want my side snack. c. So many bloggers I read are doing this. One is already done her 50,000 words ! d. This will be particularly important once you’re done the tattoo and need to leave the shop.

Who says this? Syntactic properties Recent survey results References

Who says this?

The done my homework construction is a widespread characteristic of Canadian English, and it is also found in the United States among speakers in the Philadelphia area, southern New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and the northern part of New England (Yerastov 2008, 2010a, 2010b, 2012, 2016; Hinnell 2012; Fruehwald and Myler 2013, 2015; Zanuttini et al. 2016). It has not been found in the dialects of the United Kingdom or elsewhere outside of North America.

See our interactive maps below to explore some of the raw data in more detail.

Syntactic Properties

The syntax of this construction has recently been studied in some detail by Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015). The following description is based on their work.

Degree modification by all

The done my homework construction may seem to resemble a sentence like I have done my homework . (A sentence that, like this one, contains have plus a participle is said to be in the perfect aspect ). However, the phrase done my homework is actually more similar to adjective phrases such as ready for school because, like an adjective phrase, these phrases can be modified by the degree word all . (4a) shows a typical example of all modifying an adjective phrase (namely, ready for school ), and (4b) shows an analogous example of the done my homework construction with modification by all :

4) a. I’m all ready for school. b. I’m all done my homework.

By contrast, done my homework may not be modified by all when it is used in a sentence with the perfect aspect. Thus, (5) is not acceptable:

5) *I have all done my homework.

This is evidence that the done my homework construction is not an instance of a verb phrase in the perfect aspect but rather is more like an adjective phrase.

Co-occurrence with perfect aspect

The done my homework construction also differs from verb phrases in the perfect aspect in that done my homework can actually co-occur with the perfect aspect, as in (6):

6) I have been done my homework for a while now.

By contrast, although done my homework can co-occur with the perfect aspect as shown in (6), the perfect aspect cannot co-occur with a second instance of the perfect aspect in the same sentence. Thus, (7) would not be acceptable:

7) *I have had done my homework for a while now.

Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015) show several other ways in which the done my homework construction is distinct from the perfect aspect.

No leaving the object behind

At first glance, it may be tempting to think that the done my homework construction involves simply not pronouncing the word with in a sentence like (8):

8) I'm done with my homework.

Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015), however, present several differences between the two constructions. One such difference is the ability (shown in (9c)) to move the word done to the beginning of the sentence, similar to the movement of proud and angry in (9a) and (9b):

9) a. Proud though John is of his daughter , it won't matter. b. Angry though John is with his daughter , it won't matter. c. Done though John is with his computer , it won't matter.

This kind of movement is not possible with the done my homework construction. For example, although the entire phrase done his homework may be moved as in (10b), (10a) would be judged unacceptable because only done has moved, leaving the object his homework behind:

10) a. * Done though John may be his homework , it won't matter. b. * Done his homework though John may be, it won't matter.

In this respect, it is similar to phrases like worth the money because (11a), like (10a), is unacceptable, whereas (11b), like (10b), is acceptable:

11)  a. * Worth though this may be the money , it won't matter. b. * Worth the money though this may be, it won't matter.

Fruehwald and Myler (2013, 2015) also argue that the meaning of the construction is not what we would expect if it involved an unpronounced with .

Allowed verbs

There is variation across dialects in terms of which verbs speakers allow in this construction. According to Yerastov (e.g. 2010a, 2010b), there is a hierarchy along the lines of finished > done > started . In other words, if speakers accept started (as in I'm started my homework ), they will accept all three verbs. If speakers accept done , they will also accept finished , but not necessarily started . Finally, some speakers accept only finished . This kind of hierarchy resembles the one found in the needs washed construction with need > want > like (see here for further discussion of the needs washed construction).

Recent Survey Results

The following map shows results from a recent nationwide survey. It represents speakers' judgments of the sentence I'm done my homework . There is some description of the map on the left, as well as a legend in the upper righthand side.

This next map shows recent results of a survey regarding various iterations of the PAST-PARTICIPLE + YOUR HOMEWORK construction:

Page contributed by Jim Wood on February 28, 2014.

Updates/revisions: August 9, 2015 (Tom McCoy); June 1, 2018 (Katie Martin); July 8, 2020 (Oliver Shoulson)

Please cite this page as: Wood, Jim. 2014. Done my homework. Yale Grammatical Diversity Project: English in North America . (Available online at http://ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/done-my-homework . Accessed on YYYY-MM-DD). Updated by Tom McCoy (2015), Katie Martin (2018), and Oliver Shoulson (2020).

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Usage of "done" vs. "done with." [duplicate]

I've always found it irksome when people form sentences such as "I'm done my homework." It is of my understanding that you are never done something, but rather you are done with something.

Am I right to be bothered by this?

• 1 There is a bunch of info specifically about this usage in the Yale Grammatical Diversity Project here: ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/done-my-homework –  stuckj Commented Sep 29, 2020 at 17:23

8 Answers 8

You're right to be bothered.

I'm done my homework

is not acceptable English.

I'm done with my homework I have done my homework I did my homework

are fine. Done is called the past participle of the verb do , and done needs a helper word like have or had when used as a verb.

• 4 Note that I've done is a normal contraction of I have done and is fine to use in speech. A novice learner might not have not have noticed that I've and not I'm is used in this context. –  mgkrebbs Commented Apr 15, 2011 at 21:54
• There is a bunch of info specifically about this usage in the Yale Grammatical Diversity Project here: ygdp.yale.edu/phenomena/done-my-homework –  stuckj Commented Sep 29, 2020 at 17:23

I'm done my homework is completely acceptable in some regions. Canada, some regions of Philadelphia, NJ, and New Hampshire. Language changes, so I would say when entire countries are now finding a certain construct acceptable, that's enough to say that it is indeed acceptable :)

• Here's a citation for this from a comment on another answer. Ugh. :-) –  T.J. Crowder Commented May 23, 2021 at 18:33

My homework's done. I've done my homework. I'm done with my homework.

All are acceptable.

I'm done my homework? Not if it's for English class.

This grammatical construction is popular in Canadian English. To me as a Canadian I was surprised to find that it was not standard. I have found someone say that it's frequently used in Philadelphia but not Pittsbourgh. Odd... It can be found in some regions of the United States, but not all. Linguistic data on the internet is hard to come by.

• I've just done a Google Ngram search for 'I'm done my homework' and there are no examples in their extensive corpus. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Aug 27, 2014 at 21:52
• The 1.9-billion-word Corpus of Global Web-Based English has 16 citations for "I'm done my ...", six from Canada, two from the USA and one each from Australia, Bangladesh, Britain, Nigeria, New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore –  tunny Commented Oct 30, 2014 at 6:49

'have done' is the present perfect of 'do'

I've done my homework

I'm done is incorrect.

I'm done my homework is incorrect. If you want to say it with your buddies in Philadelphia, no one will make a big deal out of it because it is a regional quirk. Do not write it in anything academic or professional though. Also, say it to someone outside the small area of the country where it is considered acceptable and people will cringe.

In the classroom & Academic writing is not acceptable. However, in spoken form may be accepted _ to convey meaning

I am (I'm) is the present tense. To say I'm done my homework looks a bit of a mess and incorrect. The sentense combines present tense with past "done". Therefore something in the sentence seems obviously obsolete. Or more than required. Unnessessary. In some instances to say I am done would be correct. But the meaning would mean something of a negative action had just happened to the first person.

Some intresting (to me) examples copyied and pasted from http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/to_be.htm illustrating

Unnecessary Uses of “To Be”

He wanted a medication (that was) prescribed by a physician. She recognized the officer (who was) chasing the crook. Anyone (who is) willing to work hard will succeed in this program. (It was) Alberto ( who) told the principal about the students' prank. (Notice that the “it was” brought special emphasis to “Alberto,” an emphasis that is somewhat lost by this change.) A customer( who is) pleased is sure to return. A pleased customer is sure to return.

Present Tense use of "do" I do my homework on Saturdays. I am doing my homework. You do your homework on Saturday's. You are doing your homework. He does his homework on Saturdays. He is doing his homework. She does her homework on Saturdays It does its homework. I am done doing this homework.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged grammar or ask your own question .

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have you done/did you do your homework?

• Thread starter yuri05
• Start date Mar 28, 2014
• Mar 28, 2014

hi, i find it hard to decide which tense to use when there are no time references. for example, let's say a teacher walks in the classroom and asks his pupils:"have you done/did you do your homework?"which tense should be used in this situation? i'd use the present perfect but i'm not sure. thanks!  

Senior Member

The present perfect makes sense in that situation, but the simple past is also possible. Have you done your homework? Did you do your homework?  

owlman5 said: The present perfect makes sense in that situation, but the simple past is also possible. Have you done your homework? Did you do your homework? Click to expand...

"Have you done your homework?" This happened in the past, but somehow affects the present. "Yes." "You should give it to the teacher tomorrow." In this case, we might assume that the recently completed homework can be handed in now. The completion of the homework affects the present. "Did you do your homework?" This happened in the past. It doesn't affect the present or we don't care how it affects the present "Yes." "Why did you do so poorly on the test?" You are thinking about a past effect of doing the homework.  

Member Emeritus

• Mar 29, 2014

ChainReaction

• Sep 20, 2014

<< Moderator's note: This question has been added to a previous thread. Please scroll up and read from the top. >> Hi, I'm new here, and I have a question about something that was bothering me for quite a long time. What is the difference between the regular form of past tense, and the form 'have past_tense '? To give you the right context, what's the difference between: "Did you do your homework?" and "Have you done your homework?" << New example will need its own thread. >>  

You mean the simple past and the present perfect. Here's a good primer: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/ppvpast.htm In short, the simple past is used when referring to a situation that is completely in the past (and thus concluded, with little to no relevance for the present situation). The present perfect (which is not a past tense) is used when referring to situations that are still happening and/or have a relevance for the present situation.  

That said, there is often little distinction between these tenses in the everyday use of the language. Using the simple past ("did you do your homework") in situations that actually call for the present perfect ("have you done your homework", because the enquirer wishes to know if the person's homework is now done) is especially common in American English. << Response to deleted question. >>  

"Did you do your homework?" and "Have you done your homework?" For example, if a child wanted to watch TV, mum or dad could say either of them but the second (the one using present perfect) is better because it emphasises that we are talking about now, today. If an investigator was asking about something before the present then the first one is correct. Teacher: On the night before you went on vacation last year, did you do your homework?  

post mod (English Only / Latin)

• Sep 21, 2014
• Mar 2, 2019

[This post and the following ones have been added to a previous thread in which the same question was asked. Please read down from the top. DonnyB - moderator]. Context: I want to ask if my son has done the homework or not Did you do your homework ? Have you done your homework ? Which tense is better and why? Do we need "the" before "homework" in the context?  

Since you live in the UK, use "have you done", since you are interested in the situation in the present. I think AmE usage is "did you do". Don't use "the" with "your". "Your homework" is the usual way of saying it.  

Thanks  

• Jun 25, 2019

A teacher gave a home assignment to his students one week ago. His students show up and say that the homework is still undone. What would they say? - We haven't done our homework. - We didn't do our home work.  

Steven David

Ivan_I said: A teacher gave a home assignment to his students one week ago. His students show up and say that the homework is still undone. What would they say? - We haven't done our homework. - We didn't do our home work. Click to expand...

Parla said: I think the teacher would use the simple past tense ("Did you do your homework?") since the reference is to work assigned the day before and it should have been done the evening before. Click to expand...

Helenejj said: What would the teacher say if the work was assigned three days ago? Click to expand...

Uncle Jack said: The present perfect indicates completion. "Have you done your homework?"asks the same question as "Is your homework complete?" Click to expand...

Helenejj said: Doesn't "Did you do your homework?" indicate that the homework is complete? Click to expand...

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English Notes

English notes latest questions, the teacher said to me, “have you done your homework” change into indirect speech.

Indirect Speech : The teacher asked me if I had done my homework.

Explanation: When the reporting verb is in the past (said) and the direct speech is in the present perfect tense, then the indirect (reported) speech will change into the past perfect tense.

Present Perfect Tense > Past Perfect Tense.

And if the sentence is interrogative, we use the reporting verbs – asked, enquired, etc.

Note: While answering to “yes or no questions”, we use if or whether.

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‘Make homework’ vs. ‘do homework’ in English

First, let me note that “homework” is an uncountable (mass) noun in English. It is a common mistake, even among some non-native teachers of English as a foreign language, to say things like, “Hand in your homeworks, please.” The word “homework”, being uncountable, does not have a plural form. If you really must refer to several separate “pieces” of homework, the word you are looking for is “assignment”:

It is also not possible to use “homework” with “a”:

Let’s move on to the main topic of this article. Without further ado, the correct verb to use with “homework” is “do”, not “make”:

“Homework” is not in any way special in this respect. We always use “do” with activities and “make” with objects that are being made. Just like we “do work”, not “make work”, we also “do homework”, meaning the activity.

The confusion arises from the fact that the most direct translation of “homework” into other languages often refers to the sheets of paper on which the assignments are written, hence it would make sense to “make it”. For the very same reason, we wouldn’t usually speak about “writing homework”:

By the way, have you already seen my brand new web app for non-native speakers of English ? It's based on reading texts and learning by having all meanings, pronunciations, grammar forms etc. easily accessible. It looks like this:

Use the image

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How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

Coursework/GPA

Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Simple way to use "Students who haven't done the homework."

I am a teacher and I want to know how many students have not done the homework.

Those students who haven't done the homework. Please stand up.

Is this sentence fine?

Is there a simple way to say this? Should I use simple past instead of perfect?

• sentence-construction

• 3 You need a comma, not a period. But I'd be embarrassed for those students who had to stand up. –  Yosef Baskin Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 17:32
• 4 I would do it the other way, having the ones who did it raise their hands. Standing up is for reciting. Or if you simply collect the homework instead of depending on their words, you'll know and they won't be embarrassed in public. –  John Lawler Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 18:33
• 1 "Please stand up if you have [not] done the homework." –  AdrianHHH Commented Nov 27, 2022 at 19:56

2 Answers 2

Homework is not a countable noun, so you have to say:

the homework assignment

their homework

your homework

So you might say:

Please stand up if you have not done your homework. Please stand up if you have not done the homework assignment. Anyone who has not done their homework, please stand up.

You need a comma, as you're giving an instruction to someone, such as "David, please tidy your room."

The audience is "Those students who haven't done the homework", so swap that in to get "Students who haven't done the homework, please stand up.", or as a request, "Could those students who haven't done the homework please stand up."

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