Lesson 12 of 46

Making negatives

Say "no" correctly without double negatives.

The rules

1.Add not after be, and after an auxiliary or modal: "She is not here." "I cannot come."
2.For other verbs use don't/doesn't/didn't + base verb: "I don't know." "He didn't call."
3.Do not use two negatives together: "I don't have any money" or "I have no money", not "I don't have no money".
4.Use any after a negative verb (not any), and no/none/nothing/nobody instead of a negative verb: "Nobody came."

Incorrect: ~~I don't have no time.~~

Correct: I don't have any time.

Avoid double negatives.

Incorrect: ~~He not like tea.~~

Correct: He doesn't like tea.

Use doesn't with the base verb.

Incorrect: ~~Nobody didn't answer.~~

Correct: Nobody answered.

"Nobody" is already negative.

Watch out: One negative word per clause is enough.

1. I don't have ___ questions.

2. Which is correct?

3. Which is correct?

Paste any text and see exactly what to fix, with the rule explained.