PRESENT SIMPLE EXERCISE 2: NEGATIVE SENTENCES (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1/A2)
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEFL
Now that you know the affirmative present simple, it's time for negatives: don't and doesn't. This is one of the most common error points for beginners, especially remembering that the main verb goes back to its base form once "does" is doing the work.
Grammar review
The present simple: negative sentences
To make a present simple sentence negative, use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) before the base form of the verb.
Structure:
• I/you/we/they + don't + base verb: “I don't like coffee.”
• he/she/it + doesn't + base verb: “She doesn't like coffee.”
The most common mistake:
Once doesn't is doing the "he/she/it" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. It does not keep the -s.
✗ “He doesn't likes coffee.” (wrong: double marking)
✓ “He doesn't like coffee.” (correct)
Contractions:
do not → don't / does not → doesn't
Both forms are correct, but don't/doesn't is far more common in everyday speech and writing.
Once you're confident here, try affirmative sentences or move on to wh-questions.
To make a present simple sentence negative, use do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) before the base form of the verb.
Structure:
• I/you/we/they + don't + base verb: “I don't like coffee.”
• he/she/it + doesn't + base verb: “She doesn't like coffee.”
The most common mistake:
Once doesn't is doing the "he/she/it" job, the main verb goes back to its plain base form. It does not keep the -s.
✗ “He doesn't likes coffee.” (wrong: double marking)
✓ “He doesn't like coffee.” (correct)
Contractions:
do not → don't / does not → doesn't
Both forms are correct, but don't/doesn't is far more common in everyday speech and writing.
Once you're confident here, try affirmative sentences or move on to wh-questions.
Complete each negative sentence with don't or doesn't + the base verb.
Example: I don't drink (to drink) tea.
CHECK OUT ALL OUR PRESENT SIMPLE PRACTICE TESTS:
Present Simple 1: Affirmative (B)
Present Simple 2: Negative (B)
Present Simple 3: Wh-Questions (B/I)
TO BE (Present) 1 (B)
TO BE (Present) 2 (negative sentences) (B)
TO HAVE (Present) 1 (B)
TO BE or TO HAVE? 1 (B)
Present Simple 1: Affirmative (B)
Present Simple 2: Negative (B)
Present Simple 3: Wh-Questions (B/I)
TO BE (Present) 1 (B)
TO BE (Present) 2 (negative sentences) (B)
TO HAVE (Present) 1 (B)
TO BE or TO HAVE? 1 (B)
