Negative Sentences

1. What are Negative Sentences?

A negative sentence is a sentence that expresses the opposite of a positive statement.

➤ How to Form a Negative Sentence

1. Add an auxiliary (helping) verb – 'do', 'be', or 'have' – depending on the main verb.
2. Add 'not' after the auxiliary verb.
3. Maintain the tense of the original sentence.
4. Change the main verb form when necessary.

✅ Example:

• Positive: She understands the topic.
• Negative: She does not understand the topic.

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2. Rules for Forming Negative Sentences

✔ Using Auxiliary Verbs

• The auxiliary verbs 'do', 'be', and 'have' help form negative sentences.

• In the present simple and past simple, use 'do' or 'does' (present) and 'did' (past). ✅ Example:

• Positive: He belongs to the team.

• Negative: He does not belong to the team.

✔ Changing Verb Forms in Negatives

• The main verb stays in base form when using 'do/does/did'.

• In continuous and perfect tenses, only add 'not' after the auxiliary verb. ✅ Example:

• Positive: She became a leader.

• Negative: She did not become a leader.

✔ Third-Person Singular Rule

• In the present tense, when using 'does', drop the -s from the main verb. ✅ Example:

• Positive: He understands body language.

• Negative: He does not understand body language.

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3. Worked Examples

Convert to Negative Sentences

1️⃣ Positive: The child belongs with her mother.

✅ Negative: The child does not belong with her mother.

2️⃣ Positive: She became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

✅ Negative: She did not become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

3️⃣ Positive: Words failed me.

✅ Negative: Words did not fail me.

4️⃣ Positive: Robert understands body language very well.

✅ Negative: Robert does not understand body language very well.

5️⃣ Positive: A well-balanced diet excludes vegetables.

✅ Negative: A well-balanced diet does not exclude vegetables.