To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.).
- Affirmative: You speak English.
- Negative: You don't speak English.
* We put the don't in between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they.
Example: Simple Present Tense
- I don't run.
Subject = I
Negative = don't
Verb = run
Example: Simple Past Tense
- I didn't run.
Negative = didn't
Verb = run
When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence.
Examples: Present Tense
- She doesn't want to leave the house today.
- He doesn't like ice cream.
- It doesn't function.
Examples: Past Tense
- She didn't want to leave the house today.
- He didn't like ice cream.
- It didn't function.