we've not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we've not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in informal contexts to indicate that something has not happened or been done. Example: "We've not received the final report yet, so we can't proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've not raised taxes.

The Economist

We've not destroyed it.

The New Yorker

"We've not discussed the temperature.

Independent

"We've not really looked back since".

Independent

McCoist said: "We've not spoken yet.

Independent

We've not built tools ourselves since".

The Guardian

"We've not had a conversation".

The Guardian - Sport

We've not seen that today.

The Guardian - Sport

We've not wavered on that".

The Guardian - Money

We've not seen his sons.

The New York Times

"We've not alienated our crowd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we've not" in informal and conversational contexts to maintain a natural tone. In more formal writing, consider using "we have not" for greater clarity and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid mixing contracted and uncontracted forms of verbs within the same sentence or paragraph. If you begin with "we've not", maintain that style for consistency, unless a specific emphasis requires the full form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we've not" functions as a negated auxiliary verb phrase. It combines the contracted form of "we have" with the negative particle "not" to indicate that something has not occurred or is not the case. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we've not" is a common and grammatically sound contraction used to express negation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various sources, primarily in News & Media. While acceptable in most contexts, it's important to consider the level of formality required, opting for "we have not" in more formal settings. Remember to maintain consistency in your writing by avoiding mixing contracted and uncontracted forms. Alternatives like "we haven't" or "we did not" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. As showed by Ludwig, this term is very used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have not

This is the full, uncontracted form of "we've not", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

we haven't

A common contraction, similar in meaning and usage to "we've not", but with a different contraction.

we did not

Indicates a past action that was not performed, focusing on the action itself.

we don't

Expresses a present or habitual action that is not performed.

we will not

Expresses a future action that will not be performed.

we're not

Indicates the absence of a state or condition, rather than an action.

it's not

Similar phrase structure, but referred to "it" instead of "we".

they've not

Similar phrase structure, but referred to "they" instead of "we".

we are yet to

Emphasizes that something is still pending or has not been initiated.

we've yet to

Contraction of "we are yet to", indicating an action that is still pending.

FAQs

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

Both "we've not" and "we haven't" are contractions meaning "we have not", but they contract different parts of the phrase. "We've not" contracts "we have", while "we haven't" contracts "have not". The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or regional dialect.

When should I use "we've not" instead of "we have not"?

"We've not" is suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing or when you want to emphasize the negation, use the full form "we have not".

Are there situations where "we've not" is grammatically incorrect?

No, "we've not" is grammatically correct in English. However, it may sound less formal than /s/we+have+not. Ensure your choice aligns with the desired tone and audience.

What are some alternatives to "we've not" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we haven't", "we did not", or "we are yet to" to convey a similar meaning.