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Sam55 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Hadnt vs Havent
Hi Sorry for Hi-jacking this thread, but I could'nt figure out how to start a new one.
Can you say If I hadn't got you? It doesnt sound right to me, but apparently its ok.. Why?
I would prefer to say If I havent got you, Is there a difference in the meanings? (one past and one a bit present?)
What is the general rule regarding hadnt and havent? (Is one english and one american for example?)
Thanks!
Sam
Can you say If I hadn't got you? It doesnt sound right to me, but apparently its ok.. Why?
I would prefer to say If I havent got you, Is there a difference in the meanings? (one past and one a bit present?)
What is the general rule regarding hadnt and havent? (Is one english and one american for example?)
Thanks!
Sam
Top answer
Sam55 Hi Sorry for Hi-jacking this thread, but I could'nt figure out how to start a new one. I did it for you You have to click on the section you want to post it, and on top (left) of the list, you have a box reading "post". You click on it, and there you go!
- Sam55 Hi Sorry for Hi-jacking this thread, but I could'nt figure out how to start a new one.
- I did it for you You have to click on the section you want to post it, and on top (left) of the list, you have a box reading "post".
- You click on it, and there you go!
- Welcome to the English Forums, Sam!
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11 Answers
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Sam55Hi Sorry for Hi-jacking this thread, but I could'nt figure out how to start a new one.I did it for you
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There is a big difference in meaning.
Don't forget they are short for have not and had not.
Don't forget they are short for have not and had not.
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"If I hadn't got you" implies that you "have got" the person. (I couldn't manage if I hadn't got you)
"If I haven' t got you" doesn't imply any such thing, it's a supposition (How shall I manage, if I haven't got you?)
Yet both sentences sound a bit weird to me. Maybe it's because they're negative? Or just the one that's in the past?
"If I haven' t got you" doesn't imply any such thing, it's a supposition (How shall I manage, if I haven't got you?)
Yet both sentences sound a bit weird to me. Maybe it's because they're negative? Or just the one that's in the past?
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Lisa Standfieled Lyric.
If I hadn´t got you
Whose friend would I be
If I hadn´t got you
I would die in solitary
If I hadn´t got you
Whose air would I breathe
If I hadn´t got you
*** only knows what I´d do
*** only knows
paco
If I hadn´t got you
Whose friend would I be
If I hadn´t got you
I would die in solitary
If I hadn´t got you
Whose air would I breathe
If I hadn´t got you
*** only knows what I´d do
*** only knows
paco
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Ah, Lisa Stanfield...
"Been around the world, and aye aye aye, I can't find my baby...
I don't know why I don't know where..."
Makes me feel younger, thank you, Paco!
"Been around the world, and aye aye aye, I can't find my baby...
I don't know why I don't know where..."
Makes me feel younger, thank you, Paco!
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First, the uses you have shown are British of what I gather to mean "If I didn't understand you (correctly before), then....." (completed, in the past)
Americans like to use "gotten", but any form of got should be avoided if possible. Your second one "haven't" implies a current period of time. If I STILL don't understand you, then.....please clarify. (This is present, not finished)
Americans like to use "gotten", but any form of got should be avoided if possible. Your second one "haven't" implies a current period of time. If I STILL don't understand you, then.....please clarify. (This is present, not finished)
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The present perfect (I have not seen 'Gone With the Wind') covers the period from some unspecified point in the past up to this moment.
The past perfect (I had not seen 'Gone With the Wind' when I visited Atlanta) covers the period from one unspecified point in the past to another point in the past (here, the trip to Atlanta).
PS: Oops! There were
The past perfect (I had not seen 'Gone With the Wind' when I visited Atlanta) covers the period from one unspecified point in the past to another point in the past (here, the trip to Atlanta).
PS: Oops! There were
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PieanneAh, Lisa Stanfield...Only two ayes...
"Been around the world, and aye aye aye, I can't find my baby...
I don't know why I don't know where..."
Makes me feel younger, thank you, Paco!
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WwwdotcomFirst, the uses you have shown are British of what I gather to mean "If I didn't understand you (correctly before), then....." (completed, in the past)It's possible that someone, somewhere, some time in the British Isles has used "if I hadn't got you
...
Since I am not British, I am not sure if "fully got" is acceptable.
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Oh no. I hate that song. Germany....
If I hadn't got you sounds terrible. The proper way of saying it would be "If I didn't have you", but "If I hadn't got you" could possibly sort of pass as bad german slang grammar. I don't know:
If I didn't have you - If I had never met you, if you wouldn't be my best friend....
If I hadn't gotten you upset two days ago - you woul
If I hadn't got you sounds terrible. The proper way of saying it would be "If I didn't have you", but "If I hadn't got you" could possibly sort of pass as bad german slang grammar. I don't know:
If I didn't have you - If I had never met you, if you wouldn't be my best friend....
If I hadn't gotten you upset two days ago - you woul
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