A negative sentence is a type of sentence that denotes a negative meaning, and usually needs to be constructed using negative words. A negative word is a word used to denote negation, rejection, denial, or negativity, such as not, no, never, none, nothing, nobody, nowhere, neither, hardly, scarcely, rarely, etc. The negative meaning of a negative sentence can be directed to the subject, predicate, object, adverbial, or whole sentence of the sentence, therefore, the types and methods of composition of the negative sentence are also different.
Depending on the position and function of negative words, negative sentences can be divided into the following types:
1.Subject negative sentence
A subject negative sentence is when a negative word acts as the subject of a sentence, indicating that the subject does not exist or is not qualified. For example:
nobody knows the answer.No one knows the answer.
nothing is impossible.Nothing is impossible.
no one can help you.No one can help you.
no student likes homework.No student likes homework.
2.Predicate negative sentence
A predicate negation sentence is when a negative word is a part of the predicate or predicate of a sentence that indicates the negation or lack of an action or state. For example:
he is not here.He's not here.
she doesn't like coffee.She doesn't like coffee.
they didn't go to school yesterday.They didn't go to school yesterday.
he can't speak english.He doesn't speak English.
3.Object negative sentence
An object negative sentence is when a negative word is used as an object or part of the object of a sentence, indicating that the object does not exist or is not accepted. For example:
i h**e no money.I don't have any money.
he saw nothing.He didn't see anything.
she told me nothing.She didn't tell me anything.
he wants nothing from you.He doesn't want anything from you.
4.Adverbial negative sentences
Adverbial negative sentence refers to the negative word as part of the adverbial or adverbial of the sentence, indicating the negation or restriction of time, place, manner, reason, purpose, condition, etc. For example:
he never comes late.He was never late.
she goes nowhere.She's not going anywhere.
he did it for no reason.He did it for no reason.
she won't marry him unless he changes.She won't marry him unless he changes.
5.Full Negative Sentence
A full-sentence negative sentence is when a negative word acts on the entire sentence, indicating a negation or opposition to all or part of the sentence. For example:
it is not true that he is a thief.He's a thief, it's not true.
i don't think that he is right.I don't think he's right.
he is not a teacher but a doctor.He is not a teacher, but a doctor.
not only he but also she likes music.Not only him, but she also likes **.
The position and usage of negative words are also different according to different types of negative sentences, and here are some common ways to form negative sentences:
1.The method of constructing a negative sentence of the subject
The method of constructing the subject negative sentence is relatively simple, you only need to take the negative word as the subject of the sentence, place it at the beginning of the sentence, and then follow the predicate. For example:
no one likes him.Nobody likes him.
nothing happened.Nothing happened.
nobody can do it.No one can do it.
no problem.No problem.
2.The method of composing a predicate negative sentence
The method of constructing a predicate negative sentence is more complex, and it is necessary to select the appropriate negative words and positions according to the tense and voice of the sentence, as well as the type of predicate. Here are some common scenarios:
If the predicate of the sentence is a verb be, such as am, is, are, was, were, etc., just add not after the verb be. For example:
he is not happy.He was not happy.
she was not there.She wasn't there.
they are not students.They are not students.
it was not a good idea.That's not a good idea.
If the predicate of the sentence is a modal verb, such as can, could, may, might, must, should, would, etc., just add not after the modal verb. For example:
he can not swim.He can't swim.
she could not answer the question.She couldn't answer that question.
they may not come.They probably won't come.
you must not smoke here.You can't smoke here.
If the predicate of the sentence is a substantive verb, such as like, go, see, do, h**e, etc., you need to choose the appropriate auxiliary verb according to the tense and voice of the sentence, such as do, does, did, h**e, has, had, will, would, etc., and then add not after the auxiliary verb and restore the substantive verb to its original form. For example:
he likes apples.→he does not like apples.He loves apples. He doesn't like apples.
she went to school.→she did not go to school.She went to school. She didn't go to school.
they saw a movie.→they did not see a movie.They watched a movie. They didn't watch the movie.
he has finished his homework.→he has not finished his homework.He did his homework. He didn't finish his homework.
she had a good time.→she had not a good time.She had a lot of fun. She didn't have a lot of fun.
they will come tomorrow.→they will not come tomorrow.They will come tomorrow. They won't come tomorrow.
you would like it.→you would not like it.You're going to love it. You won't like it.
If the predicate of the sentence is a verb phrase, such as h**e to, ought to, used to, be going to, be able to, etc., just add not after the first verb of the verb phrase. For example:
he has to go.→he does not h**e to go.He had to go. He didn't have to go.
she ought to study.→she ought not to study.She should learn. She shouldn't have to learn.
he used to smoke.→he did not use to smoke.He used to smoke cigarettes. He used to smoke a lot.
she is going to tr**el.→she is not going to tr**el.She was going on a trip. She doesn't plan to travel.
they are able to speak english.→they are not able to speak english.They can speak English. They can't speak English.