haven't you done the homework

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How long haven't you done your homework?

Is it ok to ask:

"How long haven't you eaten oranges?"

"How long haven't you done your homework?"

Does it sound strange for native speakers?

And the answer like " I haven't eaten oranges since I left home"

• present-perfect
• wh-questions

2 Answers 2

It does sound odd.

Slightly better would be

For how long have you not eaten oranges?

But simpler and better would be

When did you last eat oranges?

Your question is about the past, and the time when you ate oranges. The answer could still use the present perfect. "I haven't eaten them since last year".

The question about homework is the same. If you want to know the time when someone did homework, use the simple past. If you want to know if the homework is complete now then use the present perfect, without a past-time expression.

When did you last do homework? Have you done your homework today?

The question is grammatically correct but is unusual. I think using "haven't" makes this sound like a negative question , which can be confusing, because it is actually a Wh-question (how long?)

Since the answer you are actually looking for is a straightforward point in (or period of) time, there may be other, simpler ways to ask the question:

How long has it been since you had any oranges"? When was the last time you had oranges? When did you last have oranges? (Somewhat less formal)

If you want to stress the non-action "not having oranges" (or "not doing your homework") you could ask a similar question but with non-contracted "have". It would still be unusual, but it removes the resemblance to an inverted question:

How long have you not had oranges?

• @laugh...please tell....Shouldn't it be 'For how long' instead of 'How long' in your last example? Or, Are they both same ? –  Prerna Krishna Commented May 7, 2019 at 17:14
• Preferably not. "How long" already asks about a duration, so the "for" is redundant. See also english.stackexchange.com/q/11360/164776 . –  laugh salutes Monica C Commented May 7, 2019 at 19:10

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Present Perfect

For recently finished actions.

Table of Contents

In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.

A: How long have you worked there? B: I have worked there for 3 years.

A: How long have you been friends? B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022

The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.

It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.

For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:

• Present perfect form
• Present perfect pronunciation

Usage/ Meaning

How and when do we use the Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.

I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.

I haven’t done my homework yet : This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later . It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.

• Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have just finished . 
• Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have already finished .
• Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet .

Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below . Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….

• What have you already done today?
• What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
• What have you just finished before answering these questions?
• Have you just had some food?
• Have you already finished your homework?
• Have you already studied today?
• Have you just had a phone call?
• Have you already had lunch today?
• Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
• Which goals in your life have you already achieved?

Spread the word

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Quality Point(s): 0

• English (US)

What is the difference between you haven't done your homework. and you didn't do your homework. ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

• Report copyright infringement

Quality Point(s): 110

Both can be used the same way with a "?" and mean the same thing. One uses the contraction for "Have not" and the other uses the contraction for "Did not" they basically mean the same thing. These can also both be used as a statement with a period "." If used this way it would mean the same thing but instead of you asking, you would be telling them you are already aware they did not do their homework.

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Didn't do is simple past. It implies that that one time you didn't do your homework. Haven't done is recent past. It means that "lately " you haven't done your homework (like you usually do).

• English (UK)

Quality Point(s): 68596

Answer: 24597

Like: 23815

There is no real difference. "You haven't done your homework" is more common in UK English, but it is sometimes used in US English too. "You didn't do your homework" is more common in US English.

• Spanish (Chile)

im not a native of this language but i think the first sentence wants to say that you are not ready yet but you can finish it and the second one wants to say that you didn't finish your homework and there's no more chance to continue with

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"Haven't you?" or "don't you?"

What is the right question tag (in British English) when we use the verb have ? I have interviewed a few native speakers and none of them could explain why sometimes they prefer "haven't/hasn't" and why other times they prefer "don't/doesn't". Here are 4 different groups of sentences. Which ones are correct and which ones aren't and why?

• I've got a good voice, haven't I?
• You've got a dog, haven't you?
• She's got a new boyfriend, hasn't she?
• We've got very good friends, haven't we?
• They've got our address, haven't they?
• I have a good voice, don't I?
• You have a dog, don't you?
• She has a new boyfriend, doesn't she?
• We have very good friends, don't we?
• They have our address, don't they?
• I've got a good voice, don't I?
• You've got a dog, don't you?
• She's got a new boyfriend, doesn't she?
• We've got very good friends, don't we?
• They've got our address, don't they?
• I have a good voice, haven't I?
• You have a dog, haven't you?
• She has a new boyfriend, hasn't she?
• We have very good friends, haven't we?
• They have our address, haven't they?
• grammaticality
• british-english
• question-tags

• I will not spell every detail out but please note: English has two present tenses for have: have/have got, and they mean exactly the same thing in AmE and BrE and have exactly the same helping verbs in their standard forms. "I've got a good voice, haven't ?" The auxiliary matches the verb: have (do/does) or have got (has/have). –  Lambie Commented Sep 12, 2021 at 15:55
• Group 3 does not work for me (UK). "I've got a good voice..." = I have got a good voice. The tag question that follows needs to invert the auxiliary which is 'have' not 'do' - "haven't I". –  Dan Commented Dec 31, 2021 at 20:45

7 Answers 7

From the wikipedia article on question tags :

The English tag question is made up of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. The auxiliary has to agree with the tense, aspect and modality of the verb in the preceding sentence. If the verb is in the present perfect, for example, the tag question uses has or have; if the verb is in a present progressive form, the tag is formed with am, are, is; if the verb is in a tense which does not normally use an auxiliary, like the present simple, the auxiliary is taken from the emphatic do form; and if the sentence has a modal auxiliary, this is echoed in the tag.

But then later on:

If the main verb is to have , either solution ( does/has ) is possible

Using this rule, group 2 and group 4 would both be correct. (As an AmE, I prefer group 2 with group 4 sounding awkward to a degree approaching incorrect, but I'm unsure about BritE)

Following the same rule, group 1 would be correct and group 3 incorrect as has/have is the auxiliary verb, and so it should be used in the question. However, as a native AmE speaker, this actually runs counter to my intuition as I would prefer group 3. I have a feeling this has to do with the 'have got' construction somehow affecting things.

Edit: updated because I should have read the whole thing

• So going by wikipedia, only groups 1 and 2 would be correct. Is that right? Is that how these are actually used in the U.K? –  Peter Shor Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 14:55
• @PeterShor - Yeah, you caught me mid-edit there. 1 and 2 are correct by the 'rule' from WP. As my edit states though, I prefer group 3 to group 1, but I'm AmE. I agree with your other comment that group 1 sounds more 'British', though I'll leave it up to the UK natives to answer that definitively. –  Dusty Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 15:07
• But in the Wikipedia page that you quoted it says: "If the main verb is to have, either solution is possible: - He has a book, hasn't he? / - He has a book, doesn't he?" This would seem to suggest that Group 4 is correct. What do you think? –  Martina Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 15:52
• @Martina - See my edit above from a few min ago. –  Dusty Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 15:53
• 2 Group 3 is "non standard". –  Lambie Commented Sep 12, 2021 at 15:57

In British English groups 1, 2 and 4 would be accepted as grammatically correct, though group 4 examples sound outdated. Group 3 examples would be defined as incorrect.

But language is defined by the people who use it, not by grammar books. I have the feeling group 3 examples are used more and more often, as AmE use is spread even among BrE speakers. Therefore, when you hear native English speakers use the examples you cite, it's safe for you to do the same.

• "Group 3 examples ... incorrect." - What grammar rule do these infringe? Presumably something that allows "She's got a new boyfriend, hasn't she?" (1) and "She has a new boyfriend, doesn't she?" (2) but not "She's got a new boyfriend, doesn't she?" (3). –  James Waldby - jwpat7 Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 16:32
• @jwpat7: The rule is that you use the same auxiliary verb in the tag as appeared in the original sentence. See Dusty's answer. You can't say "She's moved to London, didn't she," because that follows "have" with "did". In American English, the participle "got" is an exception to the rule (not "gotten" -- that follows the rule). I'm now wondering whether British English speakers who use "do" with "have got" distinguish between the different meanings of the word "got" the way Americans do. –  Peter Shor Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 17:36
• @Peter: You bring up a good point, but note that your "She's moved" example is fundamentally different from the examples in the question. When we say "She has a dog", "has" is a verb indicating possession. When we say "She has moved", "has" is not a stand-alone verb but a tense modifer for "moved". (I hadn't thought of that construct when I gave my answer and I would have answered somewhat differently if I had.) –  Jay Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 21:21
• 1 @Jay: I thought that my "She's moved" example parallels the "She's got" construction of groups 1 and 3. The participles "moved" and "got" aren't treated any differently in standard British English. –  Peter Shor Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 22:48
• 2 @Jay: You're right that "have" (like "do" and "be") can be used both as an auxiliary and as a substantive verb. "Be" always patterns as an auxiliary even when it is substantive ("Is he?", "He's not" rather than "*Does he be?" "*He doesn't be"). "Do" never patterns as an auxiliary when it is substantive ("*He don't it"). But in British English "have" is like "be", and can pattern like an auxiliary even when it is substantive: "Have you [got] any?" Fifty years ago this was the only option: "Do you have ..." would not have been said by many Britons. –  Colin Fine Commented Nov 1, 2011 at 12:12

I think all your examples are grammatically correct and would be well understood by any English speaker. It's just a matter of choice of words. It's like the difference between asking, "Does she have a dog?", "Does she own a dog?", "Has she got a dog?", etc. All are equally valid and mean essentially the same thing.

Personally I think the "haven't I" construct is a little unusual and awkward. Expand the contractions and you're saying, "She has got a dog, has she not?" We don't use this construct with any word other than "to have" that I can think of. All others we use versions of "to do". We don't say, "She runs very fast, runs she not?", or "She eats too much, eats she not?" So I PREFER "doesn't she", but that's just a personal preference for consistency. (I can think of some examples from very old books, like "You thinketh that he speaks falsely, thinkest thou not?" But I thinkest this usage is mostly obsolete.)

• 2 British English? Group 3 sounds more American to me, and group 1 more British. In American English, we would use "have" for any present perfect participle except "got", in which case I believe we prefer group 3 rather than group 1. For example, "You've replied to her email, haven't you?" would be perfectly normal American (and in this case also British) English. In fact, I believe the past participles "got" and "gotten" behave differently in American English in this usage. So it's "you've gotten her email, haven't you," and "you've got her email, don't you." –  Peter Shor Commented Oct 31, 2011 at 15:07
• "haven't I" is used all the time., "I've made all the efforts I should've made, haven't I? –  Lambie Commented Sep 12, 2021 at 16:01
• @Jay "doesn't she" - "does not she" - sounds pretty unusual and awkward to me! –  Dan Commented Dec 31, 2021 at 21:03
• @Dan Technically, "Doesn't she?" expands to "Does not she?", which yes, would be awkward. But nevertheless, people say it all the time. I think most would expand it to "Does she not?" Which sounds very formal, but that's why we use the contraction. –  Jay Commented Jan 1, 2022 at 2:42
• @Jay - hereabouts (UK) 'haven't' is used everywhere; not unusual or awkward. The issue here is not contractions in themselves. It is also not about whether 'bad' English "...would be well understood by any English speaker". The OP is asking for guidance about whether the tag question need 'agree' with the auxiliary associated with the statement (" ...the right question tag (in British English) " –  Dan Commented Jan 2, 2022 at 11:25

To me the rule is that the verb in the tag question should be the same as the auxiliary verb in the first part of the sentence (affirmative or negative). This may also apply to auxiliary verbs that would be used in the emphatic form of the first part of the sentence, which may or may not appear in such part, and to verbs which can act as both substantive and auxiliary. I would say group 1, 2 and 4 are correct, group 3 is not. I understand language is in a constant process of change (see Noam Chomsky's article 'Transformational Grammar') and what really matters is to make ourselves be understood by others when we use a language. The examples to illustrate my idea of the rule are as follows: I've got a good voice, haven't I? (Have - auxiliary) I (do) have a good voice, don't I? (Do - hidden auxiliary) I have a good voice, haven't I? (Have - substantive)

In Group 3 'I've got a good voice, don't I?' it is not possible to have 'do' as an hidden auxiliary as this form is already emphasized by 'got'. 'I do have got..' would be wrong. Thus, the tag question 'don't I?' is inconsistent with the verb 'have' in the first part of the sentence.

Groups 1,2 and 4 are fine. Group 3 is the problem.

In the first example sentence of Group 3 - I've got a good voice, don't I? the tag question is using a different auxiliary (do) to the statement that precedes it (have).

Starting " I've got... " the tag question is " ...haven't I ?".

Starting with " I have... " the tag question can be either " ... haven't I? " or " ... don't I ". UK English tends to use the former and US English the latter, I think.

Group 1&2 are correct. Because in first group have is a helping verb and sentence is in present perfect tense.... in second group have is a verb and sentence is in simple present tense.... so 1&2 are right

None are correct, take out the apostrophes and then ask do they make sense? don’t you should be do you not and haven't you should be have you not. Not do not you and have not you as they are being used in the former.

• Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center . –  Community Bot Commented Sep 12, 2021 at 12:13
• This must be a joke because it just is not serious. –  Lambie Commented Sep 12, 2021 at 16:02

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• Spanish-English / Español-Inglés
• Spanish-English Grammar / Gramática Español-Inglés

Have you done your homework already/yet?

• Thread starter evoke0
• Start date May 28, 2023
• May 28, 2023

Allegra Moderata (Sp/Eng, Cat)

Both are possible, depending on the context.  

Senior Member

• May 30, 2023

I suspect there's no difference between AE and BE on this. As Bevj says, both are possible; it all depends on the situation. If this was an exam question it's a poor one, if there was no explanatory context.  

evoke0 said: Have you done your homework _____? Yet Already Click to expand...

evoke0 said: Beware it must be in British E nglish and A merican E nglish is considered wrong. Click to expand...

gato radioso

gengo said: That is a very poor exam question since, as others have said, both are equally correct, so it is impossible to choose one over the other. 1. Have you done your homework yet? 2. Have you done your homework already? #1 is simply asking if you have done this action. #2 adds a different nuance because it conveys the idea of the action being completed sooner than expected, etc. I understand why this is difficult for Spanish speakers because both of the above translate to ¿Ya hiciste tu tarea? I agree with Newt that there is no difference between the two varieties in this respect (as far I am aware). Click to expand...

gato radioso said: In fact, to make the difference clear, many Spanish speakers would say: #1: No has hecho la tarea todavía? Simply asking...but with some negative nuance... you tend to suspect he/she didn't. #2: Ya hiciste la tarea? Wow, you did it so fast that I'm impressed! Click to expand...

gengo said: I wasn't trying to imply that there is no way in Spanish to convey the distinction, and simply meant that a basic translation of both English sentences renders the same Spanish sentence, which may lead to confusion among English learners. Also, #1 in English has no negative nuance by itself. Only intonation, context, body language, and so forth add that nuance. Click to expand...

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How to Excuse Yourself from Unfinished Homework

Last Updated: June 24, 2024

This article was co-authored by Alicia Oglesby . Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events. This article has been viewed 894,756 times.

Ideally, you will always be ready for class and have your homework completed. Sometimes, however, life gets in the way and you aren’t prepared. There are several methods for developing an excuse to give your teacher for why you don’t have your homework ready, ranging from honest to deceptive.

Inventing an Elaborate Excuse

• Crumple and tear a paper assignment. Then you can tell the teacher that it flew out the window and got run over or trampled on.
• Smear dirt and water on your assignment and claim it fell in a puddle. Make sure to write a few words (bonus points if it relates to the homework assignment) so that it looks believable.
• Spill something dark (like juice or ink) on the assignment so that it is illegible.

• For instance, if you have to save work to a USB drive, you can claim to have a problem with the file.
• If you are asked to email or otherwise electronically send a homework file, you can “accidentally” send a different assignment, or the “wrong” draft (which could have just your name and the first part of the assignment, for instance). You might even be able to purchase corrupted files.
• Be aware that your teachers can be tech-savvy and know all of these tricks, so you might have to get creative. [2] X Research source

Buying Time and Stretching the Truth

• If the missed homework is for a class late in the day, you might be able to do the work before school, during another class, or during lunch or a break.
• You can hand in the wrong assignment—such as one from another class—or an old one from the same class. By the time your teacher notices the mistake, you will be able to complete the real homework, or just turn it in the next day and say you are sorry about the mix-up.
• Copy answers from a friend so you have something to turn in. Make sure your friend is ok with helping. This also only works for assignments where it is expected that students will have the same or similar answers. In some schools, even copying something like homework can merit a suspension. Remember to evaluate the situation and make a good decision as to whether or not you will copy homework off of a peer.

• A dangerous move, you can forge a note from a parent explaining why you couldn't do your homework.
• If you decide to forge one, be warned that your teacher might know it’s a fake. If you are caught, you face punishment from both your parents and teacher.

Telling the Truth

• You might say something like "I am really sorry, but I got behind on things and wasn't able to finish my homework. Could I be excused just this once? I'll turn it in tomorrow and I won't be late again."
• Keep things simple and direct, rather than annoying your teacher with long, rambling excuses.

• This means saying something like: "I know there's no excuse, and I accept full responsibility. I should have done my work. I'm sorry that I'm not prepared, and it won't happen again."
• Doing so will display maturity and your teacher might respect your honesty.

• Perhaps you are overworked and stressed (this is especially persuasive at exam time).
• If circumstances beyond your control, like an illness or death in the family, have prevented you from doing your work, say so.
• You can also explain that you didn’t understand the assignment, or struggled with it, or felt rushed, and needed to give it more time.

• Your teacher is more likely to accept the excuse if you don’t spring it on him or her at the last minute.
• You might also be able to ask for an extension so that you can turn the homework in later.
• Know your teacher’s personality, and how flexible and forgiving he or she is. When you talk to your teacher, look sad, serious, agitated, etc. depending on your excuse.

Community Q&A

• The best approach is to try to do your work on time rather than be tempted by an excuse. Don’t attempt to make excuses too often. This way, when you actually need to use one, your teacher is more likely to accept it. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Turn in your work, even if you have to make an excuse and submit it late. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If you are able to do any of your homework, even a small amount or poor quality work, consider turning it in anyway. Having something prepared can be better than having nothing, and sometimes teachers will give you partial credit for partial work. You can also explain to your teacher that you would like to do a better job and turn it in later, if you want. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

• I had an essay draft due, but I hadn't started. So, I pretended to not be able to find the file. It worked and my teacher even helped me a little. If that doesn't work, try asking for a short extension so you don't appear too suspicious.
• Just turn in a different homework assignment or sheet of paper. Then, finish the real homework. The next day, say that you noticed you actually turned in the wrong sheet and turn in the real assignment!
• Try not to look guilty and don't speak if you're too nervous. Also, don't talk too fast or your teacher might think that you practiced what to say.

• Be prepared to face the consequences if you get caught for using a deceptive excuse. Talk to your teacher in a mature way, explaining that you have a problem with procrastination, or feel overworked, or struggled with the assignment, etc. Thanks Helpful 54 Not Helpful 8
• Try not to lie, a bad conscious can easily come from repetitive lying. Thanks Helpful 45 Not Helpful 11
• If you get caught lying, it may lead to severe consequences with your teacher and parent/guardian. Thanks Helpful 26 Not Helpful 8

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• ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/08/30/british-lecturer-compiles-best-student-excuses
• ↑ https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/the-computer-ate-my-homework-how-to-detect-fake-techno-excuses-2

About This Article

To excuse yourself from unfinished homework, try to make your excuse as believable as possible, like saying you were sick last night. If your homework was on a computer, claim your laptop crashed or your files were corrupted. Another thing you can try is handing in an old assignment. Then, do your actual homework before your teacher realizes. When they ask you about it, say that you accidentally handed in the wrong homework, and then give them the homework that was actually due. Even if you think you have a good excuse, your teacher’s probably heard it a dozen times before, so consider being honest with them and apologizing for falling behind. For example, say, “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t able to finish my homework this week. I had a lot of things to deal with. Is it okay if I turn it in tomorrow?” If you decide to be honest, try to tell your teacher at the beginning of class or even earlier in the day, which will make your excuse more realistic. For more tips, including how to pretend you lost your homework, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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