Have vs did: Did you get the mail? vs Have you got the mail?

[Masaniparesh]

What is the difference between usage of "have" and "did"?

Which one of the following is the correct sentence?

Did you get the mail?

Have you got the mail?

Thanks,
Paresh

[Rskothari]

Did you get the mail? is in past perfect tense.
Have you got the mail? is in simple past tense.
I THINK I am right.

[Alan]

Hi Rskothari,

'Did you get the mail?' is the past simple and would be used when you are talking about something in the past like 'yesterday' or together with another sentence like: 'When you went to the office.'

'Have you got the mail?' is the present perfect and and asks whether you have the mail with you now.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Lost_Soul]

Hi Rskothari,

Just FYI:
In AmE you would have to use the past participle of "get" in this way:
Have you gotten the mail?

(have you got the mail = do you have the mail)

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic17835.html#71181

Take care ! ;)

[Masaniparesh]

Nice explanation Alan.

Thanks,
Paresh