Understanding the correct usage between had undertaken and undertook can be a bit confusing, especially for learners trying to write and speak in proper English. These two verb forms come from the same root undertake but are used in different grammatical contexts depending on the tense and sentence structure. Knowing when to use each correctly is important for clear and grammatically accurate communication. In both casual conversation and formal writing, using the proper verb tense helps ensure the message is understood as intended and maintains a high standard of language use.
The Root Verb Undertake
Definition of Undertake”
The verb “undertake” means to commit to or take responsibility for a task, duty, or project. It is often used in professional, academic, or official contexts. For example
- They will undertake the research project next month.
- She agreed to undertake the renovation work.
This verb is irregular, meaning its past forms do not follow the typical -ed rule.
Verb Forms of Undertake
- Base formundertake
- Past simpleundertook
- Past participleundertaken
- Present participleundertaking
Both undertook and had undertaken refer to past actions, but they are not interchangeable. Each has a specific grammatical use.
When to Use “Undertook”
Simple Past Tense
Undertook is the simple past form of the verb. Use it when referring to a completed action that happened at a specific time in the past without needing to link it to another event or time frame.
Examples
- She undertook the task with great dedication.
- They undertook a major overhaul of the system last year.
In these sentences, undertook simply tells what happened, without requiring another action for context.
Time Markers in Past Simple
Words like “yesterday,” “last year,” “in 2010,” or “two weeks ago” are often used with undertook.
- He undertook the journey in 2015.
- The company undertook a major expansion last quarter.
When to Use “Had Undertaken”
Past Perfect Tense
Had undertaken is the past perfect form. This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another past action or point in time. It emphasizes the order of events in the past.
Examples
- By the time we arrived, they had undertaken most of the work.
- She had undertaken similar projects before joining our team.
Here, had undertaken shows that the action was completed before another past action or reference point.
Clarity in Time Sequence
Use “had undertaken” to make the sequence of past events clearer, especially in complex sentences
- After they had undertaken the initial research, the results were presented to the board.
- He had undertaken many tasks before accepting the managerial role.
This structure is helpful when you want to provide context or background for a subsequent event.
Comparing Undertook and Had Undertaken
Key Differences
| Feature | Undertook | Had Undertaken |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Tense | Simple Past | Past Perfect |
| When to Use | For a completed action in the past | For an action completed before another past action |
| Example | She undertook the training last week. | She had undertaken the training before applying. |
Quick Tip
Use undertook when there’s no need to reference another past event. Use had undertaken when the action is part of a sequence and happened before another moment in the past.
Examples in Context
In Academic Writing
- The researchers undertook the experiment in 2020.
- The researchers had undertaken a similar study before publishing this report.
In Business Writing
- The team undertook the redesign process to improve performance.
- They had undertaken several pilot tests before final implementation.
In Everyday Conversation
- I undertook a lot of projects last year.
- I had undertaken most of the responsibilities before she joined.
Notice how “had undertaken” is often paired with another time-based reference or event.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Using the Wrong Tense
A common mistake is using “had undertaken” when a simple past form is enough, or vice versa.
IncorrectI had undertaken the job yesterday. (If there’s no other past reference, use undertook.)
CorrectI undertook the job yesterday.
Overusing Past Perfect
Only use “had undertaken” when it’s necessary to show a sequence. Overusing it makes writing overly complex or formal for no reason.
Practice Sentences
Use These for Learning
- He undertook the task without hesitation.
- By the time I got there, she had undertaken all the work herself.
- The team undertook major improvements last quarter.
- We had undertaken multiple revisions before finalizing the draft.
Practicing with examples like these will help reinforce the correct usage and improve your confidence with verb tenses.
Understanding the difference between undertook and had undertaken is essential for using English effectively. Undertook works well for describing a simple action completed in the past, while had undertaken is ideal for showing that one past action happened before another. Both are valuable parts of English grammar, especially in formal writing, academic reports, business communication, and storytelling. By recognizing the time relationships between events and choosing the appropriate tense, you can write more clearly, professionally, and with greater grammatical accuracy. Practicing these forms regularly will ensure that your use of undertook and had undertaken becomes second nature in everyday and professional writing.