A1 English GrammarNegation
Learn to make negative sentences in English using not, don't, doesn't, and other negative words. Understand the rules for forming negatives with different verbs.
1Negatives with 'Be'
To make negative sentences with 'be' (am, is, are, was, were), add 'not' after the verb. Contractions are common in spoken English: isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't. For 'am not', use 'I'm not'.
Negative Forms of 'Be'
| Positive | Negative (full) | Negative (contracted) |
|---|---|---|
| I am | I am not | I'm not |
| He/She/It is | is not | isn't / 's not |
| We/You/They are | are not | aren't / 're not |
Examples
I am not tired.
I am not tired.
I'm not tired
She isn't here today.
She isn't here today.
contracted form
They aren't coming to the party.
They aren't coming to the party.
aren't = are not
It's not my fault.
It's not my fault.
alternative contraction
2Negatives with Do/Does
For most verbs in present simple, use 'do not' (don't) or 'does not' (doesn't) + base verb. Use 'don't' with I, you, we, they. Use 'doesn't' with he, she, it. The main verb stays in base form!
Don't vs Doesn't
| Subject | Negative | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I/You/We/They | don't + verb | I don't like coffee. |
| He/She/It | doesn't + verb | She doesn't eat meat. |
Examples
I don't understand.
I don't understand.
don't with I
He doesn't speak French.
He doesn't speak French.
doesn't with he, base form 'speak'
We don't have any money.
We don't have any money.
don't with we
It doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter.
doesn't with it
3Negative Words
English has several negative words: no, nothing, nobody/no one, nowhere, never. Important: In standard English, use only ONE negative per clause. Double negatives are incorrect in standard English.
Negative Words
| Negative Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| no | zero quantity | I have no money. |
| nothing | not anything | There is nothing here. |
| nobody/no one | not anyone | Nobody knows. |
| nowhere | not anywhere | There's nowhere to go. |
| never | not ever | I never eat breakfast. |
Examples
I have no idea.
I have no idea.
no + noun
There is nothing in the fridge.
There is nothing in the fridge.
nothing = not anything
She never drinks alcohol.
She never drinks alcohol.
never before main verb
Nobody told me about the meeting.
Nobody told me about the meeting.
nobody as subject
4Any in Negatives
Use 'any' (instead of 'some') in negative sentences and questions. 'Any' goes with countable and uncountable nouns: anyone, anything, anywhere.
Examples
I don't have any questions.
I don't have any questions.
any in negative
She doesn't know anyone here.
She doesn't know anyone here.
anyone = any person
We didn't go anywhere special.
We didn't go anywhere special.
anywhere = any place
There isn't any milk left.
There isn't any milk left.
any with uncountable