haven't

Definition

1. Contraction:
   • Short form of "have not": "haven't" is a contraction used in informal speech and writing to combine the auxiliary verb "have" with the negative particle "not". It indicates the absence of an action, possession, or experience in the present perfect tense or as a present tense auxiliary.

Usage Examples

• (I have not completed my homework.)
• (They have not watched that movie.)
• (Note: "hasn't" is the third-person singular form; "haven't" is used with I, you, we, they.)

Advanced Usage

• In question tags: Used to confirm or seek agreement.
  • You have met him, haven't you? (You have met him, correct?)
• In negative questions: Used to express surprise or seek confirmation.
  • Haven't you heard the news? (Is it true that you have not heard the news?)

Variants and Related Words

• Hasn't (contraction): short form of "has not" (used with he, she, it).
  • He hasn't arrived yet. (He has not arrived.)
• Hadn't (contraction): short form of "had not" (past perfect tense).
  • We hadn't eaten before the show. (We had not eaten.)

Synonyms

• Have not: the full, formal version of the contraction.
  • I have not seen it. (I haven't seen it.)

Related Idioms

• Haven't got a clue: to have no knowledge or understanding.
  • I haven't got a clue how to solve this problem. (I have no idea.)
• Haven't the foggiest: to have absolutely no idea.
  • She hasn't the foggiest notion of what happened. (She is completely unaware.)