Each positive sentence given below is followed by two forms of its negative. Put a tick mark against the correct form and say why the other one is wrong.
1. We had a meeting of the union leaders yesterday.
a) We hadn’t a meeting of the union leaders yesterday.
b) We didn’t have a meeting of the union leaders yesterday.
2. I have a bath before dinner every day.
a) I don’t have a bath before dinner every day.
b) I haven’t a bath before dinner every day.
3. He used to play football in his youth.
a) He didn’t use to play football in his youth.
b) He hadn’t used to play football in his youth.
4. We had our roof blown off in the storm.
a) We didn’t have our roof blown off in the storm.
b) We hadn’t our roof blown off in the storm.
5. He had an accident last week.
a) He hadn’t an accident last week.
b) He didn’t have an accident last week.
6. We had the roof repaired before monsoon set in.
a) We hadn’t the roof repaired before monsoon set in.
b) We didn’t have the roof repaired before monsoon set in.
7. I have received the letter.
a) I haven’t received the letter.
b) I didn’t have received the letter.
8. Susie has just returned from her trip to Africa.
a) Susie hasn’t returned from her trip to Africa.
b) Susie didn’t return from her trip to Africa.
Answers
1. We didn’t have a meeting of the union leaders yesterday.
2. I don’t have a bath before dinner every day.
3. He didn’t use to play football in his youth.
4. We didn’t have our roof blown off in the storm.
5. He didn’t have an accident last week.
6. We didn’t have the roof repaired before monsoon set in.
7. I haven’t received the letter.
8. Susie hasn’t returned from her trip to Africa.