Negation

• "Not"
• Negative questions
• Negative constructions ("never", "no one", "nothing", etc.)

"Not"

The most common way to put a phrase in the negative is by using "not." Generally, "not" must follow an auxiliary verb ("to be", "to do") or a modal ("shall", "must", "might", "will", etc.), even if this verb adds no meaning to the sentence. When no other modal is present or appropriate, the verb "to do" is used.

Here are some sample phrases in both affirmative and negative form:

• I want to play the piano.
  --> I do not want to play the piano.
• He will arrive on time.
  --> He will not arrive on time.
• They should go out together.
  --> They should not go out together.

  Note: Most often, the adverb "not" will be contracted to "--n't" after an auxiliary or modal verb:

  • is not --> isn't
  • should not --> shouldn't
  • does not --> doesn't
  • must not --> mustn't
  • has not --> hasn't
  • will not --> won't

Questions

The same structure (placing "not" after the verb) will hold for questions:

• Isn't it time to leave?
• Wouldn't you care for a drink?

  Note: If one chooses not contract "not" to "--n't", the adverb "not" will be placed after the subject in the question. This style is considered literary:

  • Is it not time to leave.
  • Would you not care for a drink?

Using "not" instead of the contraction can produce certain stylistic effects:

To stress the negative meaning of the sentence:

• "He will not come to your house" is stronger than "He won't come to your house"

To affect a literary style, especially in the formation of a questions:

• Will you not come by and see us?

Negative constructions

Other negative constructions are possible. Because English does not allow double or triple negatives, it is important to avoid using "not" with other negative constructions. When "not" is included, use the affirmative forms of other adverbs:

No more / not... any more

• I want no more of your money
• I don't want any more of your money.

No one / not... anyone

• No one called tonight.
• I don't want to see anyone tonight.

Never / not... ever

• She never wants to see him again.
• She doesn't ever want to see him again.

Nothing / not... anything

• He does nothing at all.
• Can't you do anything right?

Nowhere / not... anywhere

• Where are you going? -- Nowhere.
• I don't want to go anywhere.

Not a single / not... a single

• Not a single letter arrived today.
• He doesn't have a single idea what we're doing.

Neither... nor...

• We neither ate nor drank during the ceremony.
• I like neither tomatoes nor zucchini.

Only (always placed before the element one whichs to limit):

• She only has seven dollars.
• We were only playing.
• They were the only ones to come.

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