Meaning
Haven’t you often conveys a sense of surprise or incredulity, implying that the speaker expects the listener to be aware of something. Using a contraction ‘haven’t’ makes your question seem more casual and conversational.
Today’s Sentences
- Haven’t you figured it out yet?
- Haven’t you heard the rumors?
- Haven’t you had enough to drink?
- Haven’t you played golf for years now?
- Haven’t you been to this festival before?
- Writer’s Note
01
Haven’t you figured it out yet?
Situation 1
Do you know where we are?
The GPS is broken so I’m still looking at the map.
Haven’t you figured it out yet?
Look, I’m getting frustrated too.
Situation 2
I don’t know if I should study longer or just look for a job right away.
Haven’t you figured it out yet?
Well, I’m scared that I’ll make a decision that I’ll regret.
I understand.
But I think work experience weighs heavier than having another degree under your belt.
02
Haven’t you heard the rumors?
Situation 1
Haven’t you heard the rumors?
What rumors?
She’s dating her exes best friend.
No way.
That’s crazy!
Situation 2
Haven’t you heard the rumors?
About who?
She just quit her job after being accused of improper relations with her boss.
But is it true?
It’s just a rumor right?
03
Haven’t you had enough to drink?
Situation 1
Haven’t you had enough to drink?
What do you mean?
I’m just getting started!
I think you should take it easy.
Don’t worry.
Come have a drink with me.
Situation 2
Let’s have another drink.
Haven’t you had enough to drink?
The night is still young.
Oh gosh, I feel like I know how this night is going to end.
04
Haven’t you played golf for years now?
Situation 1
Great swing!
Thanks.
I’ve been trying to fix my form.
Haven’t you played golf for years now?
Yea I have.
But I’ve learned so many bad habits too.
Situation 2
Haven’t you played golf for years now?
15 years to be exact.
You must be very skilled at the game.
I’ve hit a hole in one once, but I’m always learning.
05
Haven’t you been to this festival before?
Situation 1
So are there any performers or people who host during the event?
Haven’t you been to this festival before?
No, it’s my first time.
It’s actually a global firework festival.
Situation 2
What kind of music will they play?
Haven’t you been to this festival before?
No, I just assumed it was a rock music festival.
Actually, it’s an annual electronic music festival.
One of the biggest!
Writer’s Note
So can you use didn’t in place of haven’t? Haven’t and didn’t differ because they inform us about time.
Haven’t refers to the past up until now. So if you haven’t done something, you haven’t done it for a specific period of time; day, month, ever, etc.
Didn’t refers to a specific point of time that has already passed.
- I _____ seen this movie before.
- She _____ get an oil change for her car yet.
- _____ he get a call for an audition?
- We _____ gone on a vacation in years.
- They _____ mean to hurt her feelings.
ANSWERS: 1. haven’t 2. didn’t 3. Didn’t 4. haven’t 5. didn’t
What do you think? Is there a sentence where didn’t and haven’t are interchangeable? Check again! You may need to change the tense for example, get👉gotten or haven’t👉hasn’t.
