Present tense – Negative

The formula for making a simple present verb negative is do/does + not + [root form of verb]. You can also use the contraction don’t or doesn’t instead of do not or does not.

Examples:

Pauline does not want to share the pie.

She doesn’t think there is enough to go around.

Her friends do not agree.

I don’t want pie anyway.

To make the verb to be negative, the formula is [to be] + not.

I am not a pie lover, but Pauline sure is.

You aren’t ready for such delicious pie.

Compare the positive and negative sentences below.

I like pizza.
I do not like pizza.
You love her.
You do not love her.
She likes coffee.
She does not like coffee.
He has a blue bag.
He does not have a blue bag.

Do not add an “-s” or “-es” to the verb after “do not” or “does not”.

He eats.
He does not eat. (No “-s” at the end of “eat”)
She walks in the park.
She does not walk in the park. (No “-s” at the end of “walk”)
Mark worries about money.
Mark does not worry about money. (No “-ies” at the end of “worry”)

Title: Choosing Dessert

Characters:

Scene: Mia and Sam are at an ice cream shop, trying to decide what to order.

Mia: (contemplative) Sam, I don’t like chocolate ice cream. It’s too rich for me.

Sam: (surprised) Really, Mia? I love chocolate ice cream. What flavors do you like then?

Mia: (thoughtful) I do like vanilla and strawberry. They’re not as intense as chocolate.

Sam: (understanding) I see. Well, I don’t like fruit-flavored ice creams. They’re too sweet for my taste.

Mia: (nodding) That’s fair, Sam. We all have different preferences. How about we each get our favorite flavor today?

Sam: (agreeable) Sounds like a plan, Mia. I’ll have chocolate, and you can have strawberry.

Mia: (smiling) Perfect! I’m glad we can both get what we like.