I sometimes see teens type:
I've not...
Instead of typing:
I haven't...
What can you say about it?
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LMS
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SovereignSun
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What is your question? – James K Feb 21 '17 at 18:41
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5Each is a different contraction for "I have not" - what is unclear? – Davo Feb 21 '17 at 18:44
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1Both are acceptable. Neither is better than the other in general, although sometimes one will sound better in context, to emphasize the "have" or the "not". – Andrew Feb 21 '17 at 19:21
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This was covered on the Language & Usage site. – Anonymous Penguin Nov 21 '17 at 23:32
4 Answers
5
As has been already stated, they are both contractions of "I have not," and neither is incorrect. In the USA, I would say that "I haven't" is far more commonly heard. The use of "I've not" sounds a bit more proper and old-fashioned.
Stephen C
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Both are correct, just the difference in emphasis. If you want to emphasize the negative, don't contract not and vice versa.
Mohd Zulkanien Sarbini
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They are equal. Neither is preferable. It is your choice, depending on which you like. A professional, like a speechwriter, might have a stronger preference based on more complex criteria, but for most people, there is no difference.
If you are feeling particularly bold, you might try
I'ven't
Which is a contraction of "I have not". That one isn't "accepted", but most native speakers will understand the meaning, and some accents pronounce "I have not" close to "I've'nt".
mstorkson
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Actually, because apostrophes in contractions replace missing letters, the correct spelling is "I'ven't." And this word, while maybe not incorrect, might raise some eyebrows, especially when used by a non-native speaker. I wouldn't suggest it. – Stephen C Feb 22 '17 at 02:36
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I'ven't might be used in creative writing to simulate the pronunciation of a particular English dialect, but it's not "correct" English and would not ordinarily appear in any other kind of writing. – Andrew May 30 '17 at 20:22
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When I speaking English I think in my mind that's easier to pronounce the word NOT separately from the verb to be like are or is for example instead of I say you aren't most if the times I'd say you're not or it's not so to me it's preferable use I've not it's clearer I don't know why but I think I'm not saying the negative form when I use these contractions isn't, aren't or haven't
Douglas
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Welcome to [ell.se]! I'm sorry, but your answer is rather hard to follow; could you please [edit] it to add some punctuation? – Glorfindel Nov 04 '21 at 16:44