Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 43 · A1

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

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.

Start the lesson

19Steps · about 35 minutes

In this lesson

not after the auxiliaryA2 screens of questions
don't, doesn't, didn'tB5 screens of questions
Don't ... ! (imperative)C1 screen of questions
Put it together+6 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

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.

Point A · Exercise 43.1 · part 1 of 2

Make these sentences negative.

  1. Example

    He's gone away.

    He hasn't gone away.

    AnswerHe hasn't gone away.

  2. They're married.

  3. I've had tea.

  4. It's cold today.

  5. We'll be late.

Point A · Exercise 43.1 · part 2 of 2

Make these sentences negative.

  1. You should go.

Point B of 3

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)

Point B · Exercise 43.2 · part 1 of 2

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

  1. Example

    She saw me.

    She didn't see me.

    AnswerShe didn't see me.

  2. I like cheese.

  3. They understood.

  4. He lives here.

  5. Go away!

Point B · Exercise 43.2 · part 2 of 2

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

  1. I did the shopping.

Point B · Exercise 43.5 · part 1 of 3

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

  1. Example

    Are you married? No.

    He isn't married.

    AnswerHe isn't married.

  2. Example

    Do you live in London? Yes.

    He lives in London.

    AnswerHe 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.

Point B · Exercise 43.5 · part 2 of 3

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

  1. Have you got a car? No.

  2. Do you read newspapers? No.

  3. Are you interested in politics? No.

  4. Do you watch TV most evenings? Yes.

Point B · Exercise 43.5 · part 3 of 3

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

  1. Did you watch TV last night? No.

  2. Did you go out last night? Yes.

Point C of 3

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.

Point C · Extra practice

Complete each instruction with Don't.

  1. touch the oven. It's hot.

  2. forget your umbrella.

  3. shout! I can hear you.

Put it together · Exercise 43.3 · part 1 of 3

Make these sentences negative.

  1. Example

    She can swim.

    She can't swim.

    AnswerShe can't swim.

  2. They've arrived.

  3. I went to the bank.

  4. He speaks German.

  5. We were angry.

Put it together · Exercise 43.3 · part 2 of 3

Make these sentences negative.

  1. He'll be pleased.

  2. Ring me tonight.

  3. It rained yesterday.

  4. I could hear them.

Put it together · Exercise 43.3 · part 3 of 3

Make these sentences negative.

  1. I believe you.

Put it together · Exercise 43.4 · part 1 of 3

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

  1. Example

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

    AnswerThey'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.

Put it together · Exercise 43.4 · part 2 of 3

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

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

  2. Careful! fall!

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

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

Put it together · Exercise 43.4 · part 3 of 3

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

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

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

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

Lesson 43 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: is it ... ? have you ... ? do they ... ? etc. (questions 1)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. not after the auxiliary–Not checkedB. don't, doesn't, didn't–Not checkedC. Don't ... ! (imperative)–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked