He has yet to learn the past tense

[jupiter]

Hello Teachers,

Please look at the following:

He has yet to learn the past tense.
He hasn't learnt the past tense yet.

Are they the same? Is there any preference to use one of them?

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

[Pamela]

No. In the first sentence
He has yet to learn the past tense.
there is a modal expression to have +Infinitive that expresses obligation, necessity arising out of the circumstances.

[Yankee]

.
Both have similar meanings, Jupiter, but I'd say the main difference is in feeling.

The second sentence sounds like a simple, neutral statement of fact.

The first sentence is more likely to be used in a situation where he should have been trying to learn the past tense (or he has been trying to learn it without any success). The speaker thinks he should have already learned the past tense. Therefore, the sentence might indicate feelings such as frustration, irritation or sarcasm.

"It's unbelievable! Although he's been learning English for ten years now, he has yet to learn the simple past tense!"

Amy
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English