[Grammar] Verb to have and Past Simple

[Ana Mido]

I have a problem with a sentence that say

" I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I (didn't-don't) have time."

Which answer is the correct answer ?

 

[Grumpy]

I have a problem with a sentence that says

" I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I (didn't-don't) have time."

Which answer is the correct answer ?

It all depends on the circumstances.
Suppose it is evening, and you are sitting down to read the newspaper that was delivered earlier today. You could say "I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I didn't have time." So you didn't have the time earlier, but now you do have the time to do it.

Suppose you are half way through a very busy day. Someone asks you what you think of an article in today's paper. You could say "I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I don't have time." So you didn't have the time earlier, and you still don't have the time to do it now.

 

[emsr2d2]

I find both unnatural. I would say "I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I haven't had time."

 

[Ana Mido]

I find both unnatural. I would say "I haven't read today's newspaper yet. I haven't had time."

I think "haven't had" is ruled out

 

[emsr2d2]

By whom?

 

[Ana Mido]

By whom?

I mean unlikely

 

[emsr2d2]

I am a native speaker who just told you that that is what I (and most of my BrE compatriots) would say. How can it be unlikely?

Please note that you need to end your sentences with a punctuation mark.

 

[Rover_KE]

I mean unlikely.

Welcome to the forums, Ana.

You'd be wise to accept the considered opinion of the experienced teacher and native speaker who wrote 'I haven't had time.'

 

[Ana Mido]

I am a native speaker who just told you that that is what I (and most of my BrE compatriots) would say. How can it be unlikely?

Please note that you need to end your sentences with a punctuation mark.

Welcome to the forums, Ana.

You'd be wise to accept the considered opinion of the experienced teacher and native speaker who wrote 'I haven't had time.'

I'm sorry.
I've accepted the opinion

 

[Rover_KE]

But you didn't end your sentence with a punctuation mark.

 

[Tdol]

I think "haven't had" is ruled out

Not by me- it works in many contexts. I can't think of many where I don't have time works after the present perfect.