The Present Perfect: Negative

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Let's compare the past and the present perfect used negatively.

I didn't work at that company.	I have not worked at that company.
He didn't publish his book.	He has not published his book.
She didn't take the exam.	She has not taken the exam.

The past tense shows things that did not happen. Unless the next sentence changes the meaning, the actions are in the past and finished.

The present perfect shows things that have not happened ... yet. Because the present perfect is a tense that can continue into the present, there is a possibility that the action could occur in the future. It may or may not, but it could.

Practice the Present Perfect Negative

List 5 things that you have not done. Remember that these things could be possible in the future.

The Present Perfect and the Very Negative: NEVER

We have a very common question: Have you ever __________________?

People often use this question when making conversation.

Let's review how this question is used and the positive and negative answers.

Question	Affirmative	Simple Negative	Never
Have you ever ridden a horse?	Yes, I have. Yes, I've ridden a horse. Yes, I ride all the time.	No, I haven't. No, I haven't ridden a horse.	No, I've never ridden a horse. And I don't want to.
Have you ever been to Canada?	Yes, I have. Yes, I've been to Canada. Yes, I've visited Ontario.	No, I haven't. No, I haven't been to Canada, but I've wanted to go.	No, I've never been to Canada.
Have you ever met a famous person?	Yes, I have. Yes, I met a famous movie producer once.	No, I haven't. No, I haven't met anyone famous.	No, I've never met a famous person. No, I've never met anyone famous.

Note: The answer is often in the present perfect, but at times, the simple past may work better. These questions are amusing ways of starting or continuing conversation. It is a good idea to answer with some detail and have fun.

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