NEGATION OF SENTENCES — EXERCISE 1 (ESL)

level: Beginner (A1/A2)

Negating an English sentence means changing the verb to its negative form. The structure varies depending on the tense and the type of verb — this exercise covers the most common patterns.

Grammar review Sentence negation

English only uses one negative word per sentence.

To make a sentence negative: use do not / does not / did not + the plain verb. With be and words like can/will/should, just add not right after them.

Since you already have one negative word, don't add another. Use any- words instead of no- words: I don't have any money (not "I don't have no money").

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Make each AFFIRMATIVE sentence into a NEGATIVE sentence, by negating the verb.
EXAMPLE: We have watched this movie. → We haven't watched this movie.

They have seen him. → They him.

I borrowed his hat. → I his hat.

They are playing tennis. → They tennis.

Bill goes there on Mondays. → Bill there on Mondays.

Amy likes this song. → Amy this song.

Your son was behaving badly. → Your son badly.

We have talked to the landlord. → We to the landlord.

You told him? → You him?

He came to the party. → He to the party.

10.

They were tired. → They tired.

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KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More negation exercises:
Sentence negation 2 (A1/A2)
Sentence negation 3 (negative questions) (A2/B1)

Related exercises:
Avoiding double negatives 1 (B1/B2)
Avoiding double negatives 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed verb tenses 1 (B1/B2)

Browse all grammar exercises →