I done that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I done that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is often used in informal spoken English, particularly in certain dialects, but it is not appropriate for formal writing. Example: "I done that before, and it didn't work out well."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I done that shit before".

The New Yorker

"She's saying: 'I been there.' 'I done that.' " Amiyah confirmed this: "I speak a bit more freelance with my friends.

The New York Times

Sadly, for any defensive Teesiders, most of Walker's points were valid - what teacher worth their salt wouldn't correct "I done that" to "I have done that"?

Independent

Take her away!' Blinking out of the window of an Ogden Avenue trolley at the sunlight she hadn't seen for almost a year, 'I guess I was lucky I done that time,' the girl philosophised.

The Guardian - Books

The end! What have I done?' " That performance brought him an Independent Spirit Award for best supporting actor, a prize he won again the next year for his role as Benny Dalmau, the best friend of the title character in "Basquiat" (1996).

The New York Times

I done that and why couldn't they have done their job?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Did I do that?

The New Yorker

Do I do that?

The New Yorker

I did that".

The New Yorker

Can I do that?

The New York Times

I do that, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using "I done that". Instead, use "I did that" or "I have done that" for grammatically correct alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "I done that" in professional emails or academic papers. This phrase is considered non-standard and can detract from your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I done that" serves as a declarative statement indicating the speaker's completion of a specific action. However, it is grammatically incorrect according to standard English conventions. Ludwig confirms this with the note that the phrase "is not correct" in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I done that" may be heard in informal speech, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase "is not correct" in standard written English, and should be replaced with alternatives like "I did that" or "I have done that" for proper grammar and clarity. It appears most often in News & Media. Therefore, while understandable in casual conversation, it's best to avoid using "I done that" in formal writing or professional contexts to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I did that

Uses the simple past tense, making it grammatically correct and more widely accepted.

I have done that

Uses the present perfect tense, emphasizing the completion of the action and its relevance to the present.

I've already done that

Adds emphasis on the action having been completed before.

I've been there, done that

An idiomatic expression meaning that the speaker has experience with something and is no longer interested in it.

I accomplished that

Replaces "done" with a more formal verb, "accomplished", indicating a sense of achievement.

I took care of that

Indicates that the speaker handled or resolved a certain task or issue.

I completed that

Uses "completed" as a more formal substitute for "done", suitable for professional settings.

That's been handled

Shifts the focus to the action being completed, rather than the speaker's involvement.

I saw to that

Suggests the speaker ensured something was done properly.

That's old news to me

Expresses a lack of interest because the speaker is already familiar with the subject.

FAQs

Is "I done that" grammatically correct?

No, "I done that" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct forms are "I did that" or "I have done that".

When is it appropriate to use "I done that"?

It is only appropriate to use "I done that" in informal speech or when representing a specific dialect. Avoid it in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "I done that"?

You can use alternatives such as "I did that" or "I have done that" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "I did that" and "I have done that"?

"I did that" is simple past tense and refers to a completed action in the past. "I have done that" is present perfect tense and connects a past action to the present.