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Negationbeginner

Negative Forms

Making sentences negative: don't, doesn't, isn't, can't, haven't

01 ยท When to use

When to Use Negative Forms

  • Present simple: don't/doesn't + base verb. I don't like coffee.
  • Past simple: didn't + base verb. She didn't go.
  • Be verb: am/is/are + not. He isn't here.
  • Modal verbs: modal + not. I can't swim. You shouldn't go.
  • Perfect tenses: have/has/had + not. I haven't seen it.
02 ยท How to form

How to Form Negative Forms

Affirmative +

Subject + auxiliary + not + verb (or contracted: n't)

Negative โˆ’

Already negative

Question ?

Auxiliary + n't + subject + verb? (Didn't you go?)

Contractions: do not โ†’ don't, does not โ†’ doesn't, did not โ†’ didn't, is not โ†’ isn't.

03 ยท Examples

Examples of Negative Forms

She doesn't like pizza.

She don't like pizza.

Third person singular uses 'doesn't'.

I didn't see him.

I didn't saw him.

Use base verb after didn't.

They aren't coming.

They doesn't coming.

Use 'aren't' with present continuous.

04 ยท Common mistakes

Common Mistakes with Negative Forms

05 ยท Practice tips

Practice Tips for Negative Forms

  • Present simple: I/you/we/they don't; he/she/it doesn't.
  • Past simple: all subjects use didn't + base verb.
  • Be: am not, isn't, aren't (no 'amn't').
  • Modals: can't, won't, shouldn't, mustn't, couldn't.
06 ยท Check yourself

Quick Quiz: Negative Forms

Quick quiz
  1. 1.He ย  know the answer.
  2. 2.I ย  him at the party last night.
  3. 3.Which sentence is correct?ย 
  4. 4.They ย  coming to the party.
  5. Question 5: Make negative: I have seen this film. โ†’ I blank ___ this film. (contracted)
    5.Make negative: I have seen this film. โ†’ I ___ this film. (contracted)
  6. Question 6: Make negative: She can swim. โ†’ She blank swim. (contracted)
    6.Make negative: She can swim. โ†’ She swim. (contracted)
  7. Question 7: Fix: She don't like pizza. โ†’ She blank like pizza.
    7.Fix: She don't like pizza. โ†’ She like pizza.
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