What Is Negation?
When we want to change different structures to negative, we negate them using special words or particles. We will learn all about it in this lesson.
Negative Markers
In order to negate clauses and sentences, first, we must learn about the negative markers. We have three groups of negative markers as follows:
Now, let us see how each group functions:
Pronouns
Warning!
Please note that we use these negative markers in affirmative sentences. Take a look at the following example:
(Not Nobody isn't...)
Adverbs
The second group of negative markers is adverbs. We have some adverbs that are used to negate the meaning of sentences. The most common negative adverb is 'not'. However, there are others such as 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'never', etc. Let us examine some of them in the examples below:
I
My colleague
Warning!
The first thing to consider when using negative adverbs is that they are also used with affirmative verbs. The second important point to remember is that when they are used at the beginning of the sentence, the place of the subject and the verb change. Analyze the following example:
(Not Barely I had...)
Now, let us see how we can use some of them with different clauses:
Negative Auxiliary Verbs
We can simply negate auxiliary verbs by adding 'not' to the verb. Study the following examples:
She
They
As you can see, the main verb is not affected.
Negative Interrogative Clauses
In order to negate questions, all you have to do is to either negate the auxiliary verb or use a negative marker. Take a look at the following examples:
Here, because there is a negative marker in the question, the verb is affirmative.
Negative Nouns
Tip!
It might come in handy to know that we can also negate imperative sentences. Study the following examples:
Stop this! →
Open the window. →
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