I hadn't vs I didn't have

Both "I hadn't" and "I didn't have" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "I hadn't" is the contraction of "I had not" and is used to talk about something that was not done in the past. On the other hand, "I didn't have" is the contraction of "I did not have" and is used to talk about the absence of possession or the lack of something in the past.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

I hadn't

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is the contraction of "I had not" and is used to talk about something that was not done in the past.

Use "I hadn't" when you want to express that something was not done in the past. For example, "I hadn't seen that movie before last night."

Examples:

I hadn't eaten sushi until I went to Japan.
I hadn't finished my homework when the teacher collected it.
I hadn't heard that song until it played on the radio.
I hadn't been to Europe before my trip last summer.
I hadn't realized how late it was until I looked at the clock.

Alternatives:

I had not
I had not done
I had not seen

I didn't have

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is the contraction of "I did not have" and is used to talk about the absence of possession or the lack of something in the past.

Use "I didn't have" when you want to express that you did not possess something in the past. For example, "I didn't have any money to buy lunch."

Examples:

I didn't have time to finish the project.
I didn't have a car until last year.
I didn't have any siblings growing up.
I didn't have the chance to say goodbye.
I didn't have the answer to that question.

Alternatives:

I did not have
I was without
I lacked

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I hadn't vs I didn't have

I hadn't

I didn't have

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