have not used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have not used" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been utilized or employed up to the present time. Example: "I have not used this software before, so I might need some assistance getting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have not used it," she said.

Independent

We just have not used it — yet.

The New Yorker

We have not used any RF transmitters.

Cornell University

We have not used it yet!

Stanford University

We just have not used it yet.

The New Yorker

The Yankees still have not used Rivera this season.

The New York Times

But they have not used Dayne like Hampton.

The New York Times - Sports

We have not used real estate agents on either one.

The New York Times

"Some have not used the good advice available to them.

Independent

If you have not used the GRS, register for our Trash or Treasure workshop.

Harvard University

Introduction to R for those who have not used it previously.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether the simple past tense ("did not use") might be more appropriate if you are referring to a specific instance in the past rather than a continuing state.

Common error

Avoid using "have not used" when referring to a completed action in the past with a specific timeframe. Instead, use the simple past tense: "I didn't use the car yesterday," not "I haven't used the car yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not used" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating that an action of using something has not occurred up to the present moment. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is perfectly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have not used" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, used to indicate that something has not been utilized up to the present time. Its prevalence in various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Academia, underscores its versatility. While generally neutral in register, alternative phrasings like "haven't employed" or "did not use" might be more fitting depending on the specific context. Remember to use the simple past tense rather than "have not used" when referring to actions completed in a specified timeframe. The availability of numerous authoritative sources and the phrase's widespread use across diverse contexts highlight its reliability and adaptability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not utilized

Using 'utilized' is more formal than 'used', suggesting a potential resource that remained untapped.

haven't employed

This alternative uses a more formal verb, 'employed', indicating a slightly more deliberate choice not to use something.

never used

This phrase indicates an absence of use at any point in the past, rather than a recent lack of use.

have not applied

This is suitable when referring to methods, rules, or techniques.

did not use

This alternative is in the simple past tense, focusing on a specific past action rather than a state extending to the present.

have avoided using

This emphasizes the act of actively steering clear of something.

refrained from using

This suggests a conscious decision to avoid using something.

left unused

This conveys that something was available but not put into service.

passed up the opportunity to use

This suggests there was a chance to use something, but it was declined.

have not taken advantage of

This implies failing to benefit from something available.

FAQs

When should I use "have not used" versus "did not use"?

"Have not used" implies a state extending to the present, while "did not use" /s/did+not+use refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "I have not used that feature yet" versus "I did not use that feature in the previous version".

What are some alternatives to "have not used"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "haven't employed", "have not utilized", or "never used".

Is it grammatically incorrect to say "haven't used" instead of "have not used"?

No, "haven't used" is a contraction of "have not used" and is perfectly acceptable in informal contexts. "Have not used" might be preferred in formal writing.

What does "have not used" imply about the subject or object?

It implies that the subject had the option or opportunity to use something but chose not to, or that the object has remained untouched or unapplied until the present moment.