Many English learners and even native speakers often wonder whether to use has undertaken or undertook in a sentence. Both phrases come from the verb undertake, which means to begin or commit to doing something, especially something challenging or important. However, the difference between has undertaken and undertook lies in verb tense and grammatical structure. Understanding how and when to use each form is key to writing and speaking English correctly. This topic will explore these differences in detail, provide sentence examples, and offer clear guidance for choosing the right form in various contexts.
Understanding the Verb Undertake”
What Does Undertake Mean?
Undertake is a formal verb that means to commit to or begin a specific task, project, or responsibility. It is commonly used in professional, academic, and legal settings.
Examples of the verb in different tenses
- Present I undertake this responsibility willingly.
- Past She undertook a major research project last year.
- Present Perfect He has undertaken several missions abroad.
Conjugation of Undertake
To use the verb correctly, it’s important to understand its conjugation
- Base form undertake
- Past tense undertook
- Past participle undertaken
Has Undertaken vs. Undertook
Undertook – Simple Past Tense
Use undertook when you are talking about an action that was completed in the past, with a specific time or period mentioned or implied.
- She undertook the challenge in 2021.
- They undertook a review of the policy last month.
These sentences focus on a finished action, and the timing is usually clear. Undertook stands alone and is not used with auxiliary verbs like has or have.
Has Undertaken – Present Perfect Tense
Use has undertaken when referring to an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and is relevant to the present or still continuing.
- She has undertaken many community projects over the years.
- The company has undertaken major expansion since 2020.
In these examples, the focus is on the result or impact of the past action, rather than the exact time it occurred. It also suggests that the action may still have importance today.
When to Use Has Undertaken
To Show Ongoing Relevance
The present perfect tense is ideal when the completed action has present significance or continues to influence the current situation.
- Our organizationhas undertakenseveral studies to improve healthcare services.
- Shehas undertakennew responsibilities since her promotion.
To Emphasize Experience or Accomplishment
Has undertaken is often used to highlight what someone has achieved over time without focusing on the specific dates.
- Hehas undertakentraining programs across three continents.
- The teamhas undertakenvarious projects to improve sustainability.
When to Use Undertook
To Indicate a Completed Past Action
Use undertook when you are stating something that occurred and ended in the past.
- The doctorundertookthe surgery early last year.
- Theyundertooka complete overhaul of the website in March.
These sentences give a clear time frame for when the action occurred, making the simple past tense appropriate.
In Historical or Narrative Contexts
Undertook is useful in storytelling or historical reporting, where dates and sequences of past events are clearly mentioned.
- In 2010, the governmentundertookmajor infrastructure reforms.
- Sheundertookher first solo expedition at the age of 22.
Sentence Examples for Clarity
Examples of Has Undertaken
- Hehas undertakenthe task of revising all training manuals.
- The organizationhas undertakenextensive research on mental health awareness.
- Our companyhas undertakeninitiatives to reduce plastic waste.
Examples of Undertook
- Sheundertookthe renovation work herself last winter.
- Theyundertookthe journey despite harsh weather conditions.
- The universityundertookthe curriculum review in 2022.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mixing Tenses Incorrectly
Do not mix present perfect and simple past forms incorrectly. The auxiliary has or have should only be used with the past participle undertaken.
- Incorrect She has undertook many projects.
- Correct She has undertaken many projects.
Forgetting to Use Has or Have
When using the present perfect tense, remember to include the auxiliary verb.
- Incorrect He undertaken a difficult assignment.
- Correct He has undertaken a difficult assignment.
Choosing Between Has Undertaken or Undertook
Ask These Questions
- Is the time of the action clearly in the past? Use undertook.
- Is the action relevant to the present or time not specified? Use has undertaken.
Tip for Writing
In formal writing such as business reports, academic essays, or project descriptions, has undertaken may sound more polished when describing past accomplishments with current impact. On the other hand, undertook provides a sense of historical clarity when discussing past events.
Knowing when to use has undertaken versus undertook is essential for using English correctly, especially in formal and professional settings. Undertook belongs to the simple past tense and is used for actions clearly finished in the past. Has undertaken fits the present perfect tense and is more suitable when you want to emphasize the relevance of the action to the present or when no specific time is given. Understanding the distinction helps you speak and write with more precision and confidence. Practice forming sentences using both versions so you can choose the right form depending on context and meaning. This will not only improve your grammar but also enhance your overall communication skills in English.