Negation
8 lessons about negation in English, explained in Spanish. Practice with exercises and download worksheets.
- A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: negative contractions
Isn't, aren't, and I'm not: the two short forms of the negative of to be, why amn't is not used, and how they differ from don't.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Some and any
Some in affirmative sentences, any in negatives and questions, and some to offer or ask for things (Can I have some water?). With exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
There isn't / there aren't
There isn't and there aren't, with any and with no: there isn't any milk, there are no taxis. Why there no is is wrong, with exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Verb to be: negative
The negative of to be is am not, is not, and are not: I am not tired, she is not here. Why there is no do, where not goes, and exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Present simple negatives
Present simple negatives use do not or does not + verb: I do not smoke, she does not cook. When to use each one, with exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 12 min
Don't and doesn't contractions
Don't and doesn't are short for do not and does not. Where the apostrophe goes, how they sound, short answers, and when to use the long form.
View lesson - A1Grammar 13 min
Present continuous: negatives and questions
Present continuous negatives and questions: I'm not working, Is she sleeping?, What are you doing? Short answers, short forms, and exercises.
View lesson - A1Grammar 14 min
Negatives and questions with did
Past simple negatives and questions use did: I didn't go. Did you go? How to build them, short answers, wh- questions, and exercises.
View lesson
What is Negation?
To make a negative in English, you place not after the auxiliary: "I am not tired", "She does not like it". In the Present and Past Simple you need do, does or did: "I don't know", "He didn't come". In conversation, contractions (don't, isn't, can't) are almost always used.
When to use it
Use it to say something is not true, does not happen or that you cannot do it. Negative words such as never, nobody, nothing and nowhere are also negative on their own.
Common mistakes and tips for Spanish speakers
- English has no double negative: "I don't know anything" or "I know nothing", never "I don't know nothing".
- You cannot say "I no like it". English always needs the auxiliary: "I don't like it".
- The main verb goes back to the base form after don't, doesn't and didn't.
Examples
I don't like coffee.
No me gusta el café.
She isn't at home.
Ella no está en casa.
They didn't come to the party.
No vinieron a la fiesta.
We can't see anything.
No podemos ver nada.