In the last two lessons, we covered action verbs and irregular verbs in the present tense. Now we will see how to make negative sentences in the present tense.
Put “do not” or “does not” before the verb to make a negative sentence in the present tense.
- I do not exercise on Sunday.
- She does not work here.
Remember that present tense verbs change depending on the subject. Look at the verb “to do” changes in the examples below.
- I do my work.
- He does his work.
- They do yoga.
- She does yoga.
We need to use the verb “to do” every time we make a negative sentence. Use “does” if the subject is he, she, it, or one person, one thing, or one animal (not I or you).
| I do not… | You do not… |
| Tina and I do not… | We do not… |
| Mark does not… | He does not… |
| Mary does not… | She does not… |
| The dog does not… | It does not… |
| The dogs do not… | They do not… |
| Mary and Sue do not… | They do not… |
Compare the positive and negative sentences below.
- I like pizza.
- I do not like pizza.
- You love her.
- You do not love her.
- She likes coffee.
- She does not like coffee.
- He has a blue bag.
- He does not have a blue bag.
Do not add an “-s” or “-es” to the verb after “do not” or “does not”.
- He eats.
- He does not eat. (No “-s” at the end of “eat”)
- She walks in the park.
- She does not walk in the park. (No “-s” at the end of “walk”)
- Mark worries about money.
- Mark does not worry about money. (No “-ies” at the end of “worry”)
This is because the verb “does” already has the “-es”. We do not need to add “-s” or “-es” to the other verb.
Subject + do not + verb…
Subject + does not + verb…
- I do not have a brother.
- You do not need to worry about me.
- We do not work together.
- Mark does not exercise.
- He does not eat healthy.
- Tina does not talk about her personal life.
- She does not cook at home.
- The car does not go fast.
- The lion does not look scary.
- The computer does not work.
- The kids do not like to eat vegetables.
You can make so many different sentences with the present tense. Looking at many examples will help you improve your English quickly.
Example Sentences
- I do not need a new bike.
- You do not need more ice cream.
- We do not need a break.
- He does not need more coffee.
- She does not need more time.
- It does not need water.
- Jenny does not need a lot of help.
- Bill does not need a lot of money.
- They do not need a lot of food.
- Bill and Jenny do not need a new house.
- I do not see you.
- You do not see me.
- We do not see the house.
- He does not see his friend.
- She does not see her boyfriend.
- It does not see its owner.
- Jenny does not see her purse.
- Bill does not see the thief.
- They do not see their dog.
- Bill and Jenny do not see the mosquito.
- I do not hear the sound.
- You do not hear a bird.
- We do not hear it.
- He does not hear that.
- She does not hear the baby.
- It does not hear me.
- Jenny does not hear the siren.
- Bill does not hear the music.
- They do not hear those children.
- Bill and Jenny do not hear the motorcycles.
- I do not like it.
- You do not like that.
- We do not like green tea.
- He does not like work.
- She does not like TV.
- It does not like those.
- Jenny does not like me.
- Bill does not like his boss.
- They do not like classical music.
- Bill and Jenny do not like computers.
- I do not want a new job.
- You do not want an old car.
- We do not want it.
- He does not want a new bag.
- She does not want coffee.
- It does not want any water.
- Jenny does not want a salad.
- Bill does not want any bread.
- They do not want help.
- Bill and Jenny do not want another cat.
- I do not love this.
- You do not love your job.
- We do not love mosquitoes.
- He does not love his dog.
- She does not love him.
- It does not love me, but she does not hate me.
- Jenny does not love them.
- Bill does not love his work, but he does not hate it.
- They do not love dogs.
- Bill and Jenny do not love their new house, but they like it.
English Conversation 1
A) Do you have some money I can borrow?
B) Sorry. I do not have any money. I left my wallet at home. Why do you need it?
A) I want some coffee before work.
B) Go to the ATM and get some money.
A) I do not have time.
B) Oh wait! I found $1. Do you like cheap coffee?
A) Hahaha. I do not love it, but I do not hate it.
B) Okay. Let’s get you a cheap coffee.
English Conversation 2
A) I do not like Bill.
B) Why not? I think he is nice.
A) You do not work with him. So, you do not know him like me.
B) What does he do that you do not like?
A) He does not do his work. And he does not stop talking.
B) I can understand why you do not like him.
Use some of the action verbs you know or action verbs that we studied in this lesson to make positive and negative sentences. Practice saying these sentences aloud to improve your English speaking.
