Foundation grammar · Unit 43 · A1

isn't, haven't, don't etc. (negatives)

Auxiliary verbs

Make a negative by putting not (n't) after the auxiliary: isn't, haven't, can't, won't. In the present and past simple, add don't, doesn't or didn't before the base form.

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A not after the auxiliary

Put not (n't) after the auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were, have, has, will, can, could, should and so on).

Positive Negative
I'm tired. I'm not tired.
It's raining. It isn't raining.
They've arrived. They haven't arrived.
She was hungry. She wasn't hungry.
I'll be late. I won't be late.
He can swim. He can't swim.
You should go. You shouldn't go.

will not = won't, cannot = can't.

  • I'm not tired.
  • It isn't raining.
  • They haven't arrived yet.
  • I won't be late.
  • He can't swim.

B don't, doesn't, didn't

In the present simple, use don't or doesn't + base form. In the past simple, use didn't + base form.

Positive Negative
I like cheese. I don't like cheese.
She lives here. She doesn't live here.
They understood. They didn't understand.
I saw her. I didn't see her.
  • I don't like coffee.
  • Tom doesn't work on Saturdays.
  • We didn't go out last night.
  • She didn't see me. (not didn't saw)

C Don't ... ! (imperative)

For a negative instruction, use Don't + base form (see Unit 35).

  • Go away! Don't go away!
  • Ring me tonight. Don't ring me tonight.

Exercises

43.1 Make these sentences negative.

  1. He's gone away.

    He hasn't gone away.

    He hasn't gone away.

  2. They're married.

  3. I've had tea.

  4. It's cold today.

  5. We'll be late.

  6. You should go.

43.2 Make these sentences negative with don't, doesn't or didn't.

  1. She saw me.

    She didn't see me.

    She didn't see me.

  2. I like cheese.

  3. They understood.

  4. He lives here.

  5. Go away!

  6. I did the shopping.

43.3 Make these sentences negative.

  1. She can swim.

    She can't swim.

    She can't swim.

  2. They've arrived.

  3. I went to the bank.

  4. He speaks German.

  5. We were angry.

  6. He'll be pleased.

  7. Ring me tonight.

  8. It rained yesterday.

  9. I could hear them.

  10. I believe you.

43.4 Complete the sentences with a negative verb (isn't, haven't, don't and so on).

  1. They're broke. They haven't got any savings.

    They're broke. They haven't got any savings.

  2. "Would you like something to eat?" "No, thank you. I hungry."

  3. I remember her surname. Do you know it?

  4. George write letters much. He prefers to ring.

  5. Let's walk to the park. It far.

  6. "Where's Jill?" "I know. I seen her today."

  7. Careful! fall!

  8. We saw a play on Friday. I enjoy it much.

  9. I've been to Spain lots of times, but I been to Portugal.

  10. Max be at the meeting. He's on holiday next week.

  11. "Who broke that window?" "Not me. I do it."

  12. We didn't see what happened. We looking at the time.

43.5 You asked Gary some questions and he answered yes or no. Write sentences about Gary, positive or negative.

  1. Are you married? No.

    He isn't married.

    He isn't married.

  2. Do you live in London? Yes.

    He lives in London.

    He lives in London.

  3. Were you born in London? No.

  4. Do you like London? No.

  5. Would you like a job abroad? Yes.

  6. Can you drive? Yes.

  7. Have you got a car? No.

  8. Do you read newspapers? No.

  9. Are you interested in politics? No.

  10. Do you watch TV most evenings? Yes.

  11. Did you watch TV last night? No.

  12. Did you go out last night? Yes.

See also