I've not or I haven't?

[shebit]

Quick question, folks, brought up by someone on one of my grammar communities. It's only for those on this side of the big water, I'm afraid, because someone stated that "I haven't" is the more common contraction in the south/Home Counties and "I've not" more usual as you travel further north. However, I've always used the latter, despite being

Comments

[littlexander]

Thinking about it quickly, I always use "haven't". And I'm from Liverpool, born Manchester - parents from Liverpool and Portsmouth. And 24.

[kortirion]

Midlands - and 'I haven't'... but that would only be for "I haven't done that"

If it was possesive, I'd say "I don't have that" Rather than "I haven't got that"... confused? I hope so! ;P

[shebit]

Your main growing up happened around London?

[artela]

I'd normally use "I haven't" for something I haven't done or got. I have been know to use "I've not" as well though, but more for conceptual things. Examples would be "I haven't got a dog", "I haven't been to the cinema", "I've not failed".

Brought up across the entire South of England (from Somerset/Devon/Bristol to Beds/Cambs), now living in Wales, 40's.

[bohemiangel]

a mixture of the two, but when I'm visiting my family I'm more likely to say 'I've not'. My family are in Suffolk and I was born there. Oh and 29.