Why is it "haven't" instead of "don't have"?
I've heard this phrase in the movie "Gentlemen prefer blondes":
Except for telling you I have money, which I haven't....everything else I said to you, I meant.
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Answers · 10
2
He could have said "Except for telling you that I have money, which I don't" (the word "have" would be understood).
"Haven't" has become a less popular construction since that film was made. You can still use it, but most people nowadays would form the negative of "to have" by saying "don't have".
1
'Haven't' is from 'have/has got' e.g. I have got long hair / I haven't got long hair.
You can also say 'I have green eyes / I don't have long hair'. Both are correct, you can choose which one you use.
As Douglas said 'have got' is maybe less common now. I'm a native speaker and I use both without realising or knowing why!
1
I think this is just a matter of style. The use of "haven't" is a bit outdated, and might be associated more with an upper class/snobbishness.
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