Level One
Lesson 13
present tense -- negative
To make a present tense verb negative, add a helping verb, do or does. This is an important skill to master because if you make a mistake with the negative, it’s very noticeable.
- This car doesn’t need any gas.
- Henry doesn’t like his job.
- I don’t go to be early.
- The students don’t know the answer to the question.
When you are ready, you can take Quiz #13 – present tense negative.
13a. the present tense - negative ✍🏾
do + not + the main verb
The main verb is in the simple form.
The verb “do” is the helping verb.
singular
I do not work.
You do not work.
He does not work.
She does not work.
It does not work.
plural
We do not work.
You do not work.
They do not work.
helping verb = do or does
negative = not
main verb = work
The main verb is in the simple form.
13a. Examples
- He does not work every day.
- Some people do not work every day.
- This old computer does not work any more.
- Some old computers do not work because they are so old.
13b. the present tense -
negative contractions ✍🏾
To form a contraction:
do + not = don’t
does + not = doesn’t
singular
I don’t work.
You don’t work.
He doesn’t work.
She doesn’t work.
It doesn’t work.
plural
We don’t work.
You don’t work.
They don’t work.
Most people use contractions when speaking English.
13b. Examples
- He doesn’t work every day.
- Some people don’t work.
- This old computer doesn’t work.
- Some old computers don’t work because they are so old.
13c. never ______ ✍🏾
To make a present tense verb negative, you may also use the adverb “never.”
rest
singular
I never rest.
You never rest.
He never rests.
She never rests.
It never rests.
plural
We never rest.
You never rest.
They never rest.
When the main verb is “be,” put “never” after it: He is never on time.
13c. Examples
A person who rests, doesn’t do any work for a short period of time.
- They never rest when they are at work.
present tense negative (PDF)
present tense negative
Part A – Directions: Form the present tense negative for each verb provided. Use contractions.
- I ____________________ a coat today. (need)
- My sister ____________________ her teacher. (like)
- It ____________________ very long to get there. (take)
- We ____________________ on the weekends. (work)
- These shoes ____________________ very well. (fit)
- He ____________________ happy about his job. (seem)
- The trees in my backyard ____________________ healthy. (look)
- You ____________________ to school early enough. (get)
- I ____________________ how to speak Spanish. (know)
- She ____________________ sugar on her cereal. (put)
Part B – Directions: Form the present tense negative for each verb. Notice that some verbs are the verb “be.”
- He ____________________ a ride home. (have)
- We ____________________ on the ocean. (be)
- The mail ____________________ until later in the day. (come)
- The book ____________________ on the table. (be)
- The lessons ____________________ very difficult. (be)
- The ketchup bottle ____________________ a cap. (have)
- The stores ____________________ until 9:00 a.m. today. (open)
- Mary ____________________ in that apartment anymore. (live)
- Our neighbors ____________________ a lot of noise past 10 p.m. (like)
- I ____________________ here on Sunday.