In the present perfect simple tense, negative sentences are formed by using the negative form of the auxiliary verb “have” (haven’t/hasn’t) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Here’s how to construct present perfect simple negative sentences:
Structure:
Subject + haven’t/hasn’t + Past participle of the vain verb + Complements or Additional Information
Examples:
I haven’t visited London.
She hasn’t finished her project.
We haven’t been here for five years.
They haven’t seen that movie yet.
The sun hasn’t set yet.
Table: Present perfect simple – negative
| Subject | Present perfect simple – negative | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| I | I have not (haven’t) + past participle | I haven’t visited that museum yet. |
| You | You have not (haven’t) + past participle | You haven’t finished your homework. |
| He/She/It | He/She/It has not (hasn’t) + past participle | She hasn’t lived in this city for long. |
| We | We have not (haven’t) + past participle | We haven’t seen that movie before. |
| You (plural) | You have not (haven’t) + past participle | You haven’t learned that song yet. |
| They | They have not (haven’t) + past participle | They haven’t completed the project. |
Usage of present perfect simple – negative:
Negating completed actions:
Used to express that an action has not occurred at any time before the present.
Example:
They haven’t received the package.
Denying life experiences:
Used to negate experiences in life up to the present.
Example:
He hasn’t traveled abroad.
Stating the absence of actions with relevance to the present:
Used when the results or effects of an action are not relevant in the present.
Example:
She hasn’t spoken to her friend recently.
Expressing the absence of multiple actions:
Used to express that an action has not occurred a certain number of times.
Example:
We haven’t watched that movie yet.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Incorrect: I haven’t gone to the stadiun yesterday.
Correct: I didn’t go to the stadium yesterday. (Use the past simple tense for a specific time in the past.)
Incorrect: She hasn’t ate pasta before.
Correct: She hasn’t eaten pasta before. (Use the past participle form of the verb “eat.”)
Understanding how to form and use present perfect simple negative sentences allows you to express the absence of completed actions or experiences that have a connection to the present in English. Practice constructing negative sentences in the present perfect simple tense to enhance your language skills. Happy learning!
