Present simple negative form

Reminder: for regular verbs, use the infinitive without to for I/you/we/they. For he/she/it, add an s at the end of the verb. 

You talk to your parents. (to talk)

Anna travels to Belgrade. (to travel + s)

To make regular verbs negative, simply add do/does + not (full form) or don't/doesn't (short form, for spoken and informal language) before the verb. Do not add an s at the end of the verb in the he/she/it form.

To talk (short form)

I don't talk
You don't talk 
He/She/It doesn't talk
We don't talk 
You don't talk
They don't talk

To like (full form)

I do not like
You do not like 
He/She/It does not like  
We do not like 
You do not like
They do not like

Caroline likes meat → She does not like meat.

We talk to the receptionist → We don't talk to the receptionist.

The verb do also conjugates with do/does not.

I do my work → I don't do my work.

Shorty does his best → Roger doesn't do his best. 

Notes:

  • The short negative form is currently used more often than the full form.

I do not like tennis (less common) → I don't like tennis. (more common)

  • The verb to have can also conjugate with do/does not.

I have a car → I don't/do not have a car.


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