"I can't say I have." / "I cannot say I have."

Meaning: a set expression that means, "No, I have not."

Similar Expressions

Have you been to Australia?

• I can't say I have.
• No, I have not been to Australia.
• No, I haven't.
• No, I have never been to Australia.

When do we use it?

We can use this expression when answering a yes/no question in the present perfect tense. We can only use this expression when answering no. It is just a different way to say, "No, I have not".

A) Have you been to this restaurant?
B) I can't say I have.

A) Have you ever met her before?
B) I can't say I have.

How do we use it?

This set expression is always used on its own and it can only be used when answering a present perfect tense question. Also, we only use this expression with the subject "I".

A) Have you seen this movie before?
B) I cannot say I have.

So, don't use it when answering questions in other verb tenses and don't use it to talk about other people.

A) Did you like it?
B) I can't say I have.

A) Has he been to China before?
B) He can't say he has.

The more English idioms and expressions that you know, the easier it will be for you to have conversation in English. If you study these free English lessons about commonly used English expressions and idioms consistently, then over time you will build a solid English vocabulary that will help you speak English fluently.