Negative Markers
Negative markers are used to make sentences with a negative meaning. In this lesson, we will learn about them.
What Are Negative Markers?
Negative markers are terms and words with different parts of speech that are used to negate the meaning of an affirmative sentence. Negative markers are categorized into three groups, in English.
- negative adverbs
- negative pronouns
- negative determiners
What Are Negative Adverbs?
- not
- no
- hardly
- barely
- scarcely
- never
- hardly ever
- seldom
Here are a few examples.
I have
I can
You are
Negative Adverbs Position
Negative adverbs are used in the middle position most of the time. Although it is really common for adverbs to be used at the beginning of a sentence, but when we use inversion new rules are set.
Inversion with Modals and Auxiliary Verbs
When we use a negative adverb at the beginning of a sentence with modal or auxiliary verbs, we should change the place of the modal or auxiliary verb and the subject. Here are the examples.
I had
I should
Inversion with a Main Verb
When we use an adverb at the beginning of a sentence with the main verb, we have to use the verbs (do, does, did) before the subject. Check out the examples to help you learn them better.
He
The princess
Only If and Only When
After only if or only when there is always a subordinating clause which you can never use inversion in it but you have to use inversion with the main verb, modal verb, or auxiliary verb of the sentence. Here are the examples.
In this example, 'you are around' is a subordinating clause which is not changed.
I
Warning
You cannot use 'not' as a single word at the beginning of the sentence with an inversion. Here are a few examples.
is he evil.
do we meet each other.
What Are Negative Pronouns?
Negative pronouns are used with affirmative verbs to make a negative statement. Negative pronouns are used as the subject or object of the sentences. Here are the negative pronouns on the list.
- neither
- none
- no one
- no body
- nothing
Here are the examples.
I can give you
Tip!
All these negative pronouns are used with a singular verb.
None
No one
Negative Pronouns Position
Negative pronouns as their name requires are used as a pronoun, therefore they can be a subject pronoun or an object pronoun. Subject pronoun is used at the beginning of a sentence and object pronoun is used after transitive main verbs or prepositions*. Check out the examples.
Although,
Here the pronoun 'neither' is a negative subject pronoun.
He dared
Here the 'nobody' is an object pronoun.
What Are Negative Determiners?
Negative determiners are placed between nouns to imply a negative meaning. Here are the most important negative determiners.
- no
- neither
Check out a few examples.
Tip!
Neither is used with a singular verb, but no is usually followed by a plural verb and noun. However, it can also be used with singular nouns and verbs.
Negative Determiners Position
Determiners are placed before nouns, so, using them is really easy. Here are the examples.
I could say
I had
Double Negation
With negative markers, we have to use affirmative verbs to avoid double negation. For example:
happy.''
study history."
Review
There are a few negative markers in English. They can negate affirmative sentences. Here are different kinds of negative markers. Remember not to use a negative verb with negative markers to avoid double negation.
- negative adverbs
- negative pronouns
- negative determiners