have not applied

USAGE SUMMARY

"have not applied" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone has not submitted an application for something, such as a job or a program. Example: "I have not applied for the scholarship yet." Alternative expressions include "have not submitted" and "have not registered."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The rules of chance have not applied to Rivera.

The New York Times - Sports

I have not applied to any other universities.

The Guardian

Others in the frame, but who have not applied include the daytime controller, Alison Sharman.

The Guardian

They have not applied for a European arrest warrant for him.

The Guardian

"You have not applied your mind to the seriousness of the crime at all".

Independent

We know that there are a million families that have not applied for the Children's Tax Credit.

The Guardian

Lord Burns told a parliamentary select committee today: "I have not applied for the post of chairman of the BBC.

The Guardian

I've heard of artists who got a great critical reception who have not applied because of the cost".

The Guardian

But, whether out of reticence or confusion, many magistrates have not applied the international bans when they might have.

The Economist

They noted that Republicans have not applied that same standard to tax cuts for the most affluent Americans.

The New York Times

The family of Janner, who have previously protested his innocence, have not applied for the same status, the court was told.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports or scientific papers, prefer this full form over the contraction "haven't applied" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Do not use the base form of the verb after the negative auxiliary. Writing "have not apply" is a common error; always use the past participle "applied". Additionally, avoid using the singular "has" with plural subjects, such as in "Many candidates has not applied".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not applied" functions as a negative present perfect verb construction. It combines the auxiliary verb "have", the negation "not", and the past participle "applied". According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to indicate that an action (applying) has not occurred within a timeframe that extends to the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Social Media

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have not applied" is a robust and essential part of English grammar, specifically serving as the negative present perfect form of the verb "apply". Analysis from Ludwig shows that it is Very common across high-authority sources, particularly in journalism and scientific research. It is used to describe a continued state of non-action, such as failing to seek a permit, scholarship or position. Because it adheres to standard grammar rules and maintains a formal tone, it is highly recommended for professional and academic writing. For a more conversational tone, one might use "<a href="/s/haven't+applied" target="_blank" rel="alternative">haven't applied", but in most written contexts, the full form provides clarity and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

haven't applied

Uses a contraction, making it more suitable for informal or conversational writing.

have yet to apply

Suggests that the action is still expected or possible in the future.

did not apply

Uses the past simple tense to refer to a specific point in time rather than a continuous state.

have not submitted an application

A more explicit and formal way to describe the same action.

have not sought

Used when the application is for a permit, status or legal recourse.

did not submit

Focuses on the act of submission rather than the broader application process.

have not registered

Used specifically when the application process involves a formal registry or enrollment.

failed to apply

Implies a missed opportunity or a required action that was not taken.

are yet to apply

Changes the auxiliary verb to emphasize the current status of the subjects.

have not requested

Often used in contexts involving permissions or specific grants.

FAQs

Is "have not applied" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have not applied" is a perfectly correct use of the present perfect negative. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used in professional and academic writing.

When should I use "did not apply" instead of "have not applied"?

Use "<a href="/s/did+not+apply" target="_blank" rel="alternative">did not apply" when referring to a finished time period in the past. Use "have not applied" when the time period is still open or the result is relevant to the present.

What is a more formal way to say "have not applied"?

You can use the phrase "<a href="/s/have+yet+to+apply" target="_blank" rel="alternative">have yet to apply" for a more expectant tone or "<a href="/s/have+not+submitted+an+application" target="_blank" rel="alternative">have not submitted an application" for greater specificity.

Can I use "haven't applied" in a business email?

While "<a href="/s/haven't+applied" target="_blank" rel="alternative">haven't applied" is correct, using the full form "have not applied" is generally preferred in formal business correspondence to ensure a professional tone.