we haven't

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We haven't.

The New York Times

And we haven't.

The New York Times

We haven't slept since.

The New York Times

Until then, we haven't".

Independent

"But we haven't talked.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We haven't done any".

The New Yorker

Indeed, we haven't.

The New York Times

We haven't lost intimacy.

The New York Times - Magazine

We haven't spoken since.

The New York Times

But we haven't yet".

The New York Times

"We haven't changed anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we haven't", clearly state what it is that has not been done or achieved to avoid ambiguity. Ensure that the context makes it clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using double negatives with "we haven't". For example, instead of saying "We haven't not tried", say "We have tried" or "We haven't succeeded yet".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "we haven't" is to negate a present perfect action. It indicates that a particular action or event has not been completed by the subject up to the present moment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct contraction used to express this negation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we haven't" is a commonly used and grammatically correct contraction of "we have not". It serves to negate a present perfect action, indicating that something has not been completed. As Ludwig points out, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, though it's predominantly found in news and media. When writing, avoid double negatives and ensure clarity regarding what "we haven't" refers to. Alternatives include "we have not", "we are yet to", and "we still haven't", allowing for nuanced expression. Given its widespread usage and grammatical soundness, "we haven't" remains a reliable choice for expressing incompletion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We have not

More formal and emphatic version of "we haven't".

We've not

A less common contraction, similar in meaning but slightly less formal.

We still haven't

Adds emphasis on the continuation of something not happening.

We do not have

Emphasizes the lack of possession or experience.

So far, we haven't

Similar to 'as of yet' and 'to date'.

We've yet to

Indicates that something is expected but has not happened yet.

We are yet to

Formal way of saying something is expected but has not happened.

To date, we haven't

Similar to 'up until now' but more formal.

As of yet, we haven't

Emphasizes the current state of incompletion.

Up until now, we haven't

Highlights that something didn't occur until the present moment.

FAQs

What does "we haven't" mean?

"We haven't" is a contraction of "we have not", indicating that a particular action or event has not occurred or been completed up to the present time.

How can I use "we haven't" in a sentence?

You can use "we haven't" to express that something has not been done or experienced. For example, "We haven't seen the movie" or "We haven't finished the project".

Which is correct, "we haven't" or "we have not"?

Both "we haven't" and "we have not" are grammatically correct. "We haven't" is a contraction and is more commonly used in informal contexts, while "we have not" is more formal and emphatic.

What are some alternatives to "we haven't"?

Alternatives to "we haven't" include "we have not", "we are yet to", or "we still haven't", depending on the specific context.