have not

USAGE SUMMARY

'have not' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to negate a verb in the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle). For example, "I have not finished my homework yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Japanese have not.

The New Yorker

Many have not responded.

The New York Times

"Have," not "has".

The New York Times

"No, I have not.

The New Yorker

We have not.

The New York Times

We have not forgotten.

The New York Times

Which they have not.

The New York Times - Food

— have not come back.

The New York Times

I have not.

The New York Times

They have not lost.

The New York Times - Sports

I have not moved.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have not" to clearly indicate the absence of something, or the non-completion of an action in the present perfect tense. It's more formal than "haven't" but provides the same meaning.

Common error

Ensure you use "have not" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have not arrived") and "has not" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has not arrived"). Mismatching these can lead to grammatical errors and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, primarily used to form the negative present perfect tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. For instance, "They have not arrived yet" indicates that the action of arriving is not yet complete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have not" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to form the negative present perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While "haven't" is a more informal contraction, "have not" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal writing. Remember to use "have not" with plural subjects and be mindful of the past participle form of the verb you're negating. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively use "have not" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haven't

This is a contraction of "have not", offering a more concise alternative.

do not have

This alternative emphasizes the lack of possession or experience in the present tense.

has not

This alternative is used when referring to a singular subject, maintaining a similar meaning.

did not have

This expresses a lack of possession or experience in the past tense.

lacks

This single word conveys the meaning of "does not have", providing a more succinct option.

is missing

This highlights the absence of something, implying it should be present.

does not include

This alternative focuses on the exclusion of something from a set or list.

is devoid of

This emphasizes a complete absence of something, often in a more formal context.

fails to have

This expresses an inability to possess or achieve something.

are without

This alternative indicates a state of being without something, often implying a need or desire.

FAQs

How do I use "have not" in a sentence?

"Have not" is used to form the negative present perfect tense. For example, "I "have not seen" that movie yet".

What's the difference between "have not" and "haven't"?

"Have not" is the full form, while "haven't" is a contraction. "Haven't" is more common in informal speech and writing, while "have not" is more formal, and can be used for emphasis. For instance, "I "have not eaten" all day" emphasizes the duration.

Which is correct, "have not went" or "have not gone"?

The correct form is "have not gone". The past participle of "go" is "gone", not "went". The present perfect tense requires "have/has + past participle".

What are some alternatives to "have not"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "do not have", "lack", or "is missing" to convey a similar meaning.