The phrase “had not” (often contracted as “hadn’t”) is used in English to form the negative of the past perfect tense. It describes an action that did not happen before another point or action in the past.
Structure
Subject + had not + past participle
- I had not finished my homework when she called.
- They hadn’t left the house yet.
Common Uses
- To show something didn’t occur before another past event.
- To express regret or missed opportunities.
- In conditional sentences referring to unreal past situations.
Examples
• She had not seen the movie before last night.
• We hadn’t eaten anything all day.
• If I had not forgotten my keys, I wouldn’t have been locked out.