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From the movie "No Time to Die":

Nomi: The world's moved on since you retired, Commander Bond. Perhaps you didn't notice?
Bond: No, can't say I had."

Why did Bond use "had" and not "did"?

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    Left out from Bond's line is "noticed": "No, I can't say I had [noticed]." 1. This is understandable and unremarkable to native speakers; 2. No dialogue requires absolute attention and adherence to the grammar of the interlocutor; 3. This is screenwriting, and as such its goal is to bring to life how characters actually speak.
    – Robusto
    Commented Oct 24, 2023 at 21:58
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    "I hadn't noticed" is very common in British English. Bond uses the version more familiar to him rather than echo the more American-sounding "didn't notice".
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Oct 25, 2023 at 7:25
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    Note that the responder doesn't say the participle (had noticed) required with a perfect auxiliary have. The questioner uses the auxiliary for an infinitive (didn't notice), not a participle. Consequently, if you filled in all the missing words, it isn't ungrammatical, just not parallel: Perhaps you didn't notice [it]. I can't say I have noticed it. This violates the attempt at reduction, but is clear enough. And this is a movie, not real speech.
    – John Lawler
    Commented Oct 25, 2023 at 18:13
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    I think Bond's use of the past perfect makes him seem more highbrow or "proper" than Nomi.
    – Barmar
    Commented Oct 25, 2023 at 20:10
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    Bond: "No, can't say I had before you just pointed it out." // Most Brits use an echo auxiliary rather than a form of do in answers: "Have you brushed your teeth, Bobby? ... "Yes, I have." [not "Yes, I did."] Bond goes beyond this, eschewing even an echoing 'did'. But 'have' would be my choice too, as 'did' really points to a punctive event (Nomi's no doubt deliberate choice).
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Dec 7, 2023 at 18:02

2 Answers 2

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In a comment John Lawler wrote:

Note that the responder doesn't say the participle (had noticed) required with a perfect auxiliary have. The questioner uses the auxiliary for an infinitive (didn't notice), not a participle. Consequently, if you filled in all the missing words, it isn't ungrammatical, just not parallel: Perhaps you didn't notice [it]. I can't say I have noticed it. This violates the attempt at reduction, but is clear enough. And this is a movie, not real speech.

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  • Dear John Lawler. As if a movie doesn't contain "real speech". RIP.
    – Lambie
    Commented Sep 30 at 14:59
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One of the main reasons to use past perfect is another action in the simple past that precedes it:

"Perhaps you didn't notice?" [simple past]

Bond: No, can't say I had. [had noticed]. I can't say I had noticed before you mentioned it (implied).

Other examples:

I had noticed that she cleaned up the room.
I had seen the movie before he mentioned it.

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