29 March 2012

XVI - GRAMMAR Forming the negative



FORMING THE NEGATIVE

1. Do is used if there is no other auxiliary verb. After do, we use the infinitive without to.

· I play tennis.

· I do not play tennis. (negative)

· She likes cakes.

· She does not like cakes. (negative)

· We do exercises.

· We do not do exercises. (negative)

· Money brings you happiness.

· Money does not bring you happiness. (negative)



2. When be (I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, you are, they are) is the main verb, we make negative forms by putting not after be.

· She is not ready.

· You are not late.

· I am not surprised.



3. 3. When have is the main verb, we make negative forms by putting do not before have.

· They have a car.

· They do not have a car. (negative)

· He has a good job.

· He does not have a good job. (negative)



4. 4. We use not before infinitives and -ing forms. Do is not used.

· It is important not to be late.

· The best thing about a computer is not complaining.



5. 5. Besides not, there are also other words that can make a clause negative.

Compare:

· He is not at home.

· He is never at home.

· He is seldom/rarely/hardly ever at home.