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Thom1 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Grammar
What is the difference between,"I had not" and "I did not have"
Top answer
Thom1 What is the difference between,"I had not" and "I did not have" "I had not" is very rare and generally very old fashioned. "
- Thom1 What is the difference between,"I had not" and "I did not have" "I had not" is very rare and generally very old fashioned.
- "
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5 Answers
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Thom1 What is the difference between,"I had not" and "I did not have""I had not" is very rare and generally very old fashioned.
For normal conversation and writing, use "I didn't have..."
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Thom1so they basically have the same meaning ?They would have the same meaning if 'had not' were used, but, as Alphecca Stars pointed out, 'had not' is very rarely used, at least when HAVE is a full verb.
When HAVE is used as an auxiliary verb, then only 'had not' or contracted 'hadn't' is possible:
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"I had not/hadn't" can be used to form the past pefect tense. It can be used to describe an action.
"On the way to the cinema, I realized that I hadn't been to the movies in several months."
"I didn't have" usually goes with an object, to describe a possession.
"I didn't have the steak for dinner last night."
"On the way to the cinema, I realized that I hadn't been to the movies in several months."
"I didn't have" usually goes with an object, to describe a possession.
"I didn't have the steak for dinner last night."
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fivejedjonThey would have the same meaning if 'had not' were used, but, as Alphecca Stars pointed out, 'had not' is very rarely used, at least when HAVE is a full verb.Yes, my response was in the case of have as a regular verb, not it's use as an auxiliary verb.
These are extremely common:
I had not left yet. (the main verb is leave; pas
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