English language, “hadn’t” or “didn’t have”?

Question

Can I use:
“I hadn’t my keys” or “I didn’t have my keys”

What is the difference?
When to use “hadn’t” and when to use “didn’t have”?

Thank you.

Answer 1

hadn't should be used before verbs.
for instance
"i hadn't READ the book"

didn't have should be used before nouns, like
"I didnt have THE KEYS"

Answer 2

"I hadn't my keys" sounds archaic and almost poetic. People don't talk like this and unless you mean to portray yourself as lofty and eccentric, don't build your sentence that way.

"I didn't have my keys" is much more natural. A good example of the active voice in the past tense. Always sound natural and be clear.

Answer 3

"I hadn't my keys" is past tense as in, "I hadn't my keys when I approached my car."

"I didn't have" is present tense and is a more common phrase. An English major may correct me on this.

Both are correct to use.

Answer 4

well i would go with didn't have... because i think the first sentence should be if anything, "i hadn't had my keys" but that sounds really funny..

Answer 5

hadn't is a contraction of the two words had and not
didn't is a contraction of the two words did and not

i had not my keys
i did not have my keys (this one is better)

Answer 6

'i didn't have' is better because your referring to a thing rather than 'i hadn't' because it talks about the thing you've done. and you should always consider if it sounds good.

Answer 7

hadnt = had not &
didnt have = did not have.

there you go. they're 2 different meanings and you use them differently.

eg- i didnt have my keys &
i had not remembered my keys

Answer 8

hadn't would be used more in doing something I think.
Like "If I hadn't eaten this" "if I hadnt worn that"
didn't have would mean you were lacking something.

Answer 9

In this sentence, didn't have sounds better.