Negative Forms

• • They have not been invited.
  • She has not come.
  • I cannot come.

When be (is, am, are, was, were) is the main verb, we make negative forms by putting not after be.

• • She is not ready.
  • You are not late.
  • I was not surprised.

When have is the main verb, we make negative forms by putting do not before have.

• • They do not have a car.
  • He does not have a good job.

When there are no auxiliary verbs, we make negative forms by putting do not before the verb. After do not we use the infinitive without to.

• • Money does not grow on trees.
  • She did not come.

Before infinitives and -ing forms, we use not to make negative forms.

• • It is important not to be late.
  • The best thing about a computer is not complaining.

Negative questions

Negative questions can be contracted or uncontracted. Contracted negative questions have the word order auxiliary verb + n’t + subject. They are less formal.

• • Can’t we wait?
  • Won’t she come?
  • Hasn’t she any friends to invite?

Uncontracted negative questions have the word order auxiliary verb + subject + not .

• • Can we not wait?
  • Will she not come?
  • Has she not any friends to invite?