The Student Room Group

Does "hadn't" exist?

I don't think you would ever use hadn't in first person conversation.

But what about third person, in books for example?

If Jimmy hadn't set his alarm, he would of been late for school ?
Reply 1
Original post by MagicToaster1
I don't think you would ever use hadn't in first person conversation.

But what about third person, in books for example?

If Jimmy hadn't set his alarm, he would of been late for school ?



Would HAVE been late.

And yes, you can use it.
is hadn't just a contraction of had not? so see if you can use "had not" in context

such as "I had not got laid since yesterday"...

Doesnt feel right imho.
Yes, of course it does.

/thread
Reply 4
Original post by TomInce6666
is hadn't just a contraction of had not? so see if you can use "had not" in context

such as "I had not got laid since yesterday"...

Doesnt feel right imho.


Why not?

"I'd be screwed if I had not used Blackboard" = "I'd be screwed if I hadn't used Blackboard."

Perfectly fine and acceptable. You probably use it without realising.

Sometimes I might switch it round with a "had I not", but it's fine.
Reply 5
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hadn't

Are you thinking of something like there're?
Original post by Cicerao
Why not?

"I'd be screwed if I had not used Blackboard" = "I'd be screwed if I hadn't used Blackboard."

Perfectly fine and acceptable. You probably use it without realising.

Sometimes I might switch it round with a "had I not", but it's fine.


Im not really too bothered tbh. Im not a grammar nazi :smile: Language is language, gets bastardised all the time.
Reply 7
Had've, maybe.
Original post by Cicerao
Why not?

"I'd be screwed if I had not used Blackboard" = "I'd be screwed if I hadn't used Blackboard."

Perfectly fine and acceptable. You probably use it without realising.

Sometimes I might switch it round with a "had I not", but it's fine.


You just 'clicked' my mind there, lol.......

Good example.....
Yes

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