A2 Lesson 4: Forming Simple Negative Sentences (I do not like...)
You know how to write a positive sentence like, "I like coffee." But what if you want to say the opposite1? Today, we will learn how to form negative2 sentences to say 'no' or express that something is not true.
Pattern 1: Negatives with Action Verbs (using 'do not' and 'does not')
To make a sentence with an action verb (like work, eat, play) negative, we add do not or does not between the subject and the verb.
- Use do not with: I, you, we, they.
- Use does not with: he, she, it.
Positive: I like spicy food.
Negative: I do not like spicy food.
Positive: He works in Kampot.
Negative: He does not work in Kampot.
Important Rule!
After does not, the verb returns to its base form (no -s).
Correct : She does not like coffee.
Incorrect : She does not likes coffee.
Pattern 2: Negatives with "be" Verbs (is, am, are)
This pattern is simpler. To make a negative sentence with is, am, or are, just add not after the verb.
Positive: The market is open today.
Negative: The market is not open today.
Positive: They are from Cambodia.
Negative: They are not from Cambodia.
Using Contractions
In everyday speaking and informal writing, we usually join words together to make contractions3. Both forms are correct.
- do not → don't (I don't like...)
- does not → doesn't (He doesn't like...)
- is not → isn't (It isn't open.)
- are not → aren't (They aren't ready.)
🧠 Practice Quiz: Make it Negative
Rewrite these positive sentences to make them negative.
1. They play football every weekend.
Answer: They do not (don't) play football every weekend.
2. This restaurant is very expensive.
Answer: This restaurant is not (isn't) very expensive.
3. My father drives a tuk-tuk.
Answer: My father does not (doesn't) drive a tuk-tuk.
📝 Homework: Writing Negative Sentences
Get your notebook and pen to practice.
Part 1: Correct the Mistake
Find and correct the mistake in this sentence:
My sister doesn't works on Sunday.
Part 2: Write Your Own Sentences
Write three negative sentences about yourself. Use contractions (don't, doesn't, isn't, aren't).
- Write about a type of music you don't like.
- Write about a place you don't want to visit.
- Write about a food that isn't spicy.
Example Answer (for Part 2, #1): I don't like very loud music.
(Answer for Part 1: The mistake is "works". It should be: My sister doesn't work on Sunday.)
Vocabulary Glossary
- Opposite: (Noun) - ផ្ទុយ - Something that is completely different from something else. ↩
- Negative: (Adjective) - អវិជ្ជមាន - In grammar, a word or sentence that expresses "no" or "not". ↩
- Contraction: (Noun) - ពាក្យកាត់ - A shorter form of a word or group of words, like "don't" for "do not". ↩
- Positive: (Adjective) - វិជ្ជមាន - In grammar, a sentence that states something is true, without "not".
- Base Form (of a verb): (Noun Phrase) - ទម្រង់ដើម - The simple form of a verb, without -s, -ed, or -ing. (e.g., work, live, eat).