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Forming negative statements, questions and imperatives - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
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Sep 19, 2022 · In grammar, negation is when certain words or entire sentences are nullified or shown to be untrue by adding a special type of word called a negative. The most common example is the negative adverb not , used with auxiliary verbs like do or be to negate the original meaning of a sentence.
For example, you cannot use the contracted form of 'not' with the modal verbs 'may' and 'shall'. Additionally, to use the contracted form of 'will not', you should completely change the form of the verb to 'won't'. In the table below, you can see the list of modal verbs that regularly take 'not':
Negation - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary
Negation with “do” We use a form of do + not before the main verb to negate all other verbs in the simple present and the simple past. Example: We speak English. → We do not speak English. Note that main verb is used in the infinitive – only the auxiliary verb do is conjugated. Example: We didn’t ask a question. not: We didn’t asked
Do not disturb the wildlife. Forming Negative Non-finite Clauses. Negative non-finite clauses, which lack a subject, use “not” to express negation. This is particularly common in to-infinitive, -ing, or -ed forms. Examples: To not have asked for permission would have been rude. He left the house, not wishing to argue anymore.
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As you already know, 'be' can be both a main verb and an auxiliary verb and is the most common verb in the English language. To form the negative form of the verb 'be', we simply add 'not' to it. Look at the examples below:
