Grammar: A2 - ✨ Grammar Essentials: 🏗️ Sentence Structure - Expanding - Lesson 2: Present Simple Negative with "don't/doesn't"

✨ Lesson 2: Present Simple Negatives with "don't" and "doesn't"

In the last lesson, we learned to ask questions with 'do' and 'does'. Today, we will use these same helping verbs¹ to make negative² sentences with action verbs.

Remember, we cannot just add 'not' to an action verb (I work not). We must use a helping verb.

The Golden Rule for Negatives

To make a negative sentence in the Present Simple, we use don't or doesn't before the main verb. The main verb always stays in its base form³.

[Subject] + [don't / doesn't] + [Base Verb]...

Use 'don't' (do not) with I, you, we, they:

• I don't work on Sundays.
• You don't speak Chinese.
• They don't live in Siem Reap.

Use 'doesn't' (does not) with he, she, it:

• He doesn't drive a car; he has a moto.
• She doesn't like spicy food.
• The hotel doesn't have a swimming pool.

Look at the Verb!
Just like in questions, the '-s' from the verb moves to the helping verb and becomes part of 'does'.

• Statement: He works here.
• Negative: He doesn't work here. (No '-s' on work)

🧠 Practice Quiz: Make it Negative

Change the positive statements into negative sentences.

1. I like waking up early.
   → I don't like waking up early.
2. She works in the city center.
   → She doesn't work in the city center.
3. They have a tour guide.
   → They don't have a tour guide.
4. He understands the lesson.
   → He doesn't understand the lesson.

📝 Homework: Write True Sentences

Write three true negative sentences about yourself or your family. Use 'don't' and 'doesn't'.

Example: I don't drink coffee. My brother doesn't live with us.

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1: ___________________________________

2: ___________________________________

3: ___________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Helping Verb: (Noun) - កិរិយាស័ព្ទជំនួយ (kĕ're'ya'sap chumnuŏy) - A verb (like 'do', 'does', 'be') that helps the main verb to form a question or negative sentence. Also called an auxiliary verb. ↩
2. Negative: (Adjective) - បដិសេធ (bâ'dĕ'saeh) - Meaning 'no'; saying that something is not true. ↩
3. Base Form: (Noun) - ទម្រង់ដើម (tŭmrâng daem) - The simplest form of a verb, with no endings like '-s' or '-ing'. ↩