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Crocodoc Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

do / have

Fantastic website !

Well, I had a little tricky question... I really don't know how to sometimes use do or have. For example, 'Oh, Jamie? Sorry, I haven't seen him today.', or 'Oh, Jamie? Sorry, I did not see him today.': whitch sentence is the appropriate? Is there any specific way to know how to employ do or have?

Thank you very much for your help.

S.
  

Top answer

Hello, Crocodoc, welcome to the English Forums! I think your problem here is more a matter of tenses than of vocabulary. "I haven't seen him today" is present perfect (have in present tense + V.

— Pieanne

  • Hello, Crocodoc, welcome to the English Forums!
  • I think your problem here is more a matter of tenses than of vocabulary.
  • "I haven't seen him today" is present perfect (have in present tense + V.
  • in the past participle).
  • You say that when it's still "today", that is when it's still possible for you to see Jamie "today".
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2 Answers
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Hello, Crocodoc, welcome to the English Forums!

I think your problem here is more a matter of tenses than of vocabulary. "I haven't seen him today" is present perfect (have in present tense + V. in the past participle). You say that when it's still "today", that is when it's still possible for you to see Jamie "today".

"I didn't see him today" is past simple. You say this for ex
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Thank you Pieanne for your help!

Suddenly, everything seems clear!! Nobody here (native speakers) was able to provide me a clear rule for that. ;-)

Many thanks, and see you soon here.

Cheers

Sam.
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