Did you give the money/Have you given the money

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videorome

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Let's say I give some money to my brother just before he leaves the house and ask him to give the money to Person A.

When he comes back, should I say "Did you give the money?" or "Have you given the money?" What is the difference in meaning between two sentences?
 

Tdol

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The first is more natural to me as he has left the meeting with the person. However, it should be Did you give him/her/them the money?.
 

jutfrank

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The basic difference is that the question in the past tense is a question about the past, and the question in the present tense is primarily a question about the present.

Did you give him the money? = Did a past action take place in which you did what I asked you to do?

Have you given him the money? = Is he currently in possession of the money? Or do you still have it?

Both questions mean the same thing, practically speaking.
 
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