Negative Forms
Making sentences negative: don't, doesn't, isn't, can't, haven't
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.
How to Form Negative Forms
Affirmative (+)
Subject + auxiliary + not + verb (or contracted: n't)
Negative (-)
Already negative
Question (?)
Auxiliary + n't + subject + verb? (Didn't you go?)
💡 Contractions: do not → don't, does not → doesn't, did not → didn't, is not → isn't.
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.
Common Mistakes with Negative Forms
💡 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.
Quick Quiz
Grammar sorted. Now grow your vocabulary.