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.