Understanding the Difference Between ‘Has Hidden’ and ‘Hid’ in English

In this article, we’ll address the question regarding the difference between ‘has hidden’ and ‘hid’ in English, and how each form is used in different contexts. This will help clarify any confusion about their usage, especially in the sentence example provided, ‘Once upon a time, Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, hid in the cave of heaven.’

1. Understanding ‘Has Hidden’ vs. ‘Hid’

‘Has hidden’ is in the present perfect tense, indicating that an action was completed in the past but has relevance to the present moment. On the other hand, ‘hid’ is the simple past tense, referring to a specific event in the past without emphasizing its relevance to the present.

2. When to Use ‘Has Hidden’

‘Has hidden’ is used when the action has a connection to the present. For instance, you would use it if you want to express that someone is still hiding or if the result of the hiding is important now. An example would be, ‘She has hidden the key somewhere in the house,’ implying the key is still hidden, and this action affects the current situation.

3. When to Use ‘Hid’

‘Hid’ is used for actions that were completed in the past, with no necessary link to the present. It simply states that the action occurred at a specific time in the past. For example, ‘Amaterasu hid in the cave of heaven’ tells us about a past event without connecting it to the present moment.

4. The Question of ‘Hiding’ as a State

In the case of ‘Amaterasu hid in the cave,’ you are not just describing an action but also the result—the state of being hidden. If you want to express the idea of her being hidden in the cave as a state that continues into the present, you could use ‘has hidden’ to indicate an ongoing relevance. However, if the focus is on the action of hiding at a specific time, ‘hid’ would be the appropriate choice.

5. Conclusion: When to Choose Between ‘Has Hidden’ and ‘Hid’

In conclusion, choose ‘has hidden’ when the past action has an ongoing effect on the present, and use ‘hid’ when you’re simply stating a past event. Understanding the difference will help you use these tenses accurately in your writing.