🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Negation?

Negation is how English speakers make statements negative. It can be formed with the word 'not', 'no', or through common contractions like 'don't' and 'won't'. Learning negation is essential for expressing disagreement and denial.

Short answer

Negation turns a positive statement negative by adding 'not', 'no', or using contractions like don't, can't, won't, and isn't.

How to Form Negation

1
Positive Statement
I like pizza.
↓
2
Add 'Not'
I do not like pizza.
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3
Contract
I don't like pizza.

Step-by-step worked examples

Make negative: 'I like pizza.'

Identify the auxiliary verb: do
Add not: do + not
Contract: don't
Final: I don't like pizza.

Make negative: 'She can swim.'

Identify the auxiliary verb: can
Add not: can + not
Contract: can't
Final: She can't swim.

Make negative: 'They will go.'

Identify the auxiliary verb: will
Add not: will + not
Contract: won't
Final: They won't go.

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Make negative: 'He plays football.'

Correct answer: C. With the simple present, use does + not or doesn't with third-person singular.

Q2.Which is NOT a valid contraction?

Correct answer: C. The correct form is 'won't' not 'willn't'. 'Will' → 'will not' → 'won't'.

Q3.When do you use 'no' in negation?

Correct answer: B. 'No' is used before nouns (no time), while 'not' is used with verbs (not going).

Q4.Complete: 'I _____ finished my homework.'

Correct answer: A. With the present perfect, use haven't (have + not contraction).

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Common mistakes

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Using 'not' incorrectly: 'He not likes it.' — Correct: He doesn't like it. (Use an auxiliary verb with 'not'.)

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Double negation: 'I don't have no time.' — Correct: I don't have time. (Use only one negative form.)

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Wrong contraction: 'He willn't go.' — Correct: He won't go. (Will + not becomes won't, not willn't.)

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Confusing 'no' and 'not': overusing 'no' with verbs. — Correct: No + noun (no time), not + verb (not going).

FAQ

What is negation?

Negation is the grammatical process of making a statement negative, using 'not', 'no', or negative contractions.

What is a contraction?

A contraction is a shortened form of two words combined into one, such as don't (do not) or can't (cannot).

How do you negate in the simple present?

Use do/does + not (or contractions don't/doesn't) before the main verb: 'I don't like it.'

What's the difference between 'no' and 'not'?

'No' is used before nouns ('no time'), while 'not' is used with verbs and other structures ('not going').