Writing: Sentence Construction & Variety (A2) - Lesson 4: Forming Simple Negative Sentences
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Hello Learners! 👋
Today, we will learn how to make negative sentences. Negative sentences tell us that something is not true, or something did not happen.
For example, instead of saying "I like cats," you might want to say "I do not like cats."
In this lesson, you will learn:
- How to use "do not" (don't) and "does not" (doesn't) with action verbs.
- How to use "am not," "is not" (isn't), and "are not" (aren't) with the verb "be".
- To write simple negative sentences correctly.
Making Sentences Negative
1. Negatives with Action Verbs (like run, play, eat, like)
To make a sentence negative with most action verbs, we use do not or does not before the main verb. The main verb stays in its simple form (no "-s").
- For I, you, we, they: use do not (or contraction don't) + verb.
- Positive: I like coffee. → Negative: I do not like coffee. (or I don't like coffee.)
- Positive: They play football. → Negative: They do not play football. (or They don't play football.)
- For he, she, it: use does not (or contraction doesn't) + verb (simple form).
- Positive: He likes coffee. → Negative: He does not like coffee. (or He doesn't like coffee.) (Notice "like", not "likes"!)
- Positive: She plays football. → Negative: She does not play football. (or She doesn't play football.)
2. Negatives with the Verb "be" (am, is, are)
To make a sentence negative with "be" verbs, we add not after the "be" verb.
- I + am + not ... (e.g., I am not tired.)
- He/She/It + is + not ... (or isn't) (e.g., She is not a doctor. / She isn't a doctor.)
- You/We/They + are + not ... (or aren't) (e.g., They are not busy. / They aren't busy.)
Contractions: Words like don't, doesn't, isn't, aren't are called contractions. They are short forms and are very common in speaking and informal writing.
Remember: All sentences start with a capital letter and end with a full stop (.).
Activity 1: Choose the Correct Negative Form
Read the sentence. Choose the best word or words to make it negative.
Activity 2: Make it Negative!
Read the positive sentence. Change it into a negative sentence. You can use full forms (do not, is not) or contractions (don't, isn't).
Activity 3: Use the Contraction
Fill in the blank with the correct negative contraction (e.g., don't, doesn't, isn't, aren't).
✨ Tips for Negative Sentences ✨
- Action Verbs: Most verbs need "do not" / "don't" or "does not" / "doesn't". Remember: "He/She/It doesn't like" (not "doesn't likes").
- "Be" Verbs (am, is, are): Just add "not" after them. (I am not, He is not, They are not).
- Contractions are Common: It's okay to use "don't", "doesn't", "isn't", "aren't" in everyday English.
- Check Your Subject: The subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) tells you whether to use "do not" or "does not".
Great Job with Negatives! 👍
You've learned how to say "no" in English sentences! This is very useful for expressing what you don't do, don't like, or what is not true.