what's the difference between...?

Question

i didn't turn the lights off
and
i haven't turned the lights off

Answer 1

Bob it hit on the head! But I'll add a little in case anyone is still confused.

"I didn't turn the lights off" means that the occasion to do so has come and gone and you decidedly did NOT take the action (turning the lights off).

"I haven't turned the lights off" means that at this time, you have not turned the lights off, but you could still do so.

Exactly what Bob said, just a little more wordy.

Answer 2

In the first case, it's too late now (like you're already on the plane, or someone else turned them off).
In the second case, you're planning to do so at some point, or at least considering it.

They're both active voice! (Passive would be "The lights weren't/haven't been turned off") In grammatical terms, the first is simple past and the second is present perfect.

Answer 3

I know I'm not supposed to chat on here but I have a question / statement for you blitzkrieg. Now maybe "blitzkrieg" may be the name of a band I am unfamiliar with but to many that name / term means up death, oppression, mass murder.

Just 3 cents thrown in...that's all. (Not offended)

Etymology: German, from Blitz lightning + Krieg war
1 : war conducted with great speed and force; specifically : a violent surprise offensive by massed air forces and mechanized ground forces in close coordination

Answer 4

I didn't turn the lights off = you didn't do it (in the past)
I haven't turmed the lights off = You haven't done it YET (present/future)

Answer 5

first one is you didnt do it...period and the latter one is you didnt do it yet.........there is still some change possible,I mean you might gonna do it so future is unknown for those lights....I hope you did otherwise you have wasted alot of energy and money for nothing.....

Answer 6

You actually are saying

I did not turn the lights off.

I have not turned the lights off yet

Active and passive voices