When writing or speaking in English, choosing the correct verb tense can be challenging, especially with irregular verbs like undertake. Many English learners and even native speakers find themselves uncertain when deciding between have undertaken and undertook. These two forms both come from the verb to undertake, which means to take on a responsibility, task, or challenge. While both forms are grammatically correct, they are used in different contexts depending on tense and sentence structure. Understanding the difference between these two can improve clarity and grammatical accuracy.
The Verb Undertake and Its Forms
Definition of Undertake
Undertake is an irregular verb meaning to commit oneself to and begin a task or responsibility. It often refers to serious or formal duties. Examples include undertaking a project, mission, or responsibility.
Principal Parts of the Verb
- Base Form undertake
- Past Tense undertook
- Past Participle undertaken
- Present Participle undertaking
- Third Person Singular undertakes
Using Undertook – Simple Past Tense
When to Use Undertook
Undertook is the simple past tense of undertake. It is used when referring to a completed action in the past, with no direct connection to the present. Use undertook when the sentence clearly refers to a finished event and does not require the present perfect tense.
Examples of Undertook
- She undertook the project last year and completed it in six months.
- They undertook a thorough investigation into the cause of the problem.
- The organization undertook a review of its internal policies.
Structure
The structure of a sentence using undertook is usually
Subject + undertook + object
Using Have Undertaken – Present Perfect Tense
When to Use Have Undertaken
Have undertaken is the present perfect tense of undertake. This tense is used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past and still have relevance or impact in the present. It’s formed by using the auxiliary verb have or has (for third person singular) followed by the past participle undertaken.
Examples of Have Undertaken
- I have undertaken several leadership roles throughout my career.
- She has undertaken a commitment to support the local community.
- We have undertaken a full evaluation of the product’s performance.
Structure
The structure for present perfect is
Subject + have/has + undertaken + object
Key Differences Between Undertook and Have Undertaken
1. Tense and Time Reference
Undertookrefers to a specific moment or period in the past.
Have undertakensuggests an action that has relevance now or is part of a present condition.
2. Use of Time Markers
- Undertook is commonly used with specific time indicators like yesterday, last year, in 2020, etc.
- Have undertaken is used without specific time references or with words like recently, lately, already, or so far.
3. Emphasis and Relevance
Have undertaken emphasizes the outcome or relevance of a past action to the present, while undertook simply narrates a completed action without such implications.
Choosing the Correct Form in Context
Example 1
IncorrectI undertook many tasks so far this year.
CorrectI have undertaken many tasks so far this year.
Explanation So far this year indicates the action continues to have relevance, so use the present perfect.
Example 2
IncorrectShe has undertaken the research project in 2021.
CorrectShe undertook the research project in 2021.
Explanation The year 2021 specifies a past time, so the simple past tense is appropriate.
Common Expressions Using Undertake
Here are some frequently used phrases that feature the verb undertake and which form fits best
- To undertake a responsibilityThe manager undertook the task of restructuring the team.
- To undertake an effortThey have undertaken great efforts to improve the system.
- To undertake an analysisWe have undertaken a detailed analysis of customer feedback.
Using Modal Verbs with Undertake
In some contexts, modal verbs like will, should, or must are used with undertake. These do not involve the forms undertook or have undertaken directly, but they help convey future or hypothetical situations
- They will undertake the renovation next month.
- You should undertake this responsibility seriously.
- We must undertake a full review before making changes.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form undertook or have undertaken
- He __________ a new training course this month.
- They __________ a construction project in 2019.
- We __________ several initiatives to reduce energy use.
- I __________ the audit when I joined the company.
- She __________ important research that is now influencing policy.
Answers
- have undertaken
- undertook
- have undertaken
- undertook
- has undertaken
Understanding whether to use have undertaken or undertook depends on the time context and the relevance of the action to the present moment. Undertook is the simple past tense and is used for completed actions that occurred at a specific point in the past. Have undertaken, on the other hand, is the present perfect tense, used when the action has ongoing relevance or happened at an unspecified time. Mastering this distinction helps you communicate more precisely and confidently, whether you are writing academic papers, business emails, or daily conversation. With consistent practice and awareness of time expressions, using undertook and have undertaken will become second nature.