This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Jessica Gibson is a Writer and Editor who's been with wikiHow since 2014. After completing a year of art studies at the Emily Carr University in Vancouver, she graduated from Columbia College with a BA in History. Jessica also completed an MA in History from The University of Oregon in 2013.
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The English language is full of grammar rules that can take a little practice to learn. Take “has completed” or “had completed”—they’re very similar, but used in specific cases. We’ll guide you through when to use “has completed,” or “had completed.” We’ll also explain when “have completed” is the best choice.
Steps
When to Use "Have Completed"
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1Use "have completed" for a present perfect tense sentence with the subject "I" or "you". A present perfect tense sentence describes completed actions.[3] Think of the tense as a link between the present and the past—this tense is like announcing that you've just completed something. The sentence might not describe when you began the action, but "have completed" shows that you've finished it in the present. Here are a few examples:
- I have completed outlining my essay.
- You have completed listening to the podcast.
- I have completed my training.
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2Choose "have completed" if the subject of the present perfect sentence is plural. If you're still describing a situation that's happening in the present, but your subject is plural—like "the kids", "we", or "they"—use "have completed."[4] Check out these examples:
- They have completed their project.
- We have completed our assignment.
- The kids have completed their homework.