Monday, June 1, 2015

When do I use DO/DOES/DID? (Continued...making NEGATIVE statements)

In a previous post I reviewed using DO/DOES/DID in questions, and here, we will take a look at using this auxiliary verb in negative statements.

Again, remember that the structure of questions and statements in English vary depending on the verb.  Verbs are divided into two categories:

1. to be
2. ALL other verbs 

If the verb is (to be), then the grammatical structure will be different. If the verb is any other verb except (to be), then we use DO/DOES/DID as the helping or auxiliary verb.  Let's take a closer look at ALL other verbs in the negative:

Remember!  do+not=don't / does+not=doesn't / did+not=didn't

PRESENT: NEGATIVE USING DO & DOES.

I/You/We/They (DO)

I do not (don't) like vegetables.
You do not (don't) get up early.
We do not (don't) leave work early!
They do not (don't) play soccer on the weekend.

He/She/It (DOES)

He does not (doesn't) listen during class.
She does not (doesn't) get her nails done.
It does not (doesn't) work.

PAST: NEGATIVE USING DID.

I/You/He/She/It/We/They (DID) (Can't you see how easy English is!  ...It's all the same conjugation in the past!)

I did not (didn't) go to school today.
You did not (didn't) do your homework.
He did not (didn't) win the soccer game.
She did not (didn't) celebrate the victory!
It did not (didn't) work out...
We did not (didn't) remember to buy olives.
They did not (didn't) take the test.

Remember!  We use the simple verb (go, be, do, take, walk...) rather than the past tense verb when making statements.  Take a look at these examples:

I didn't went to the movies last night.
I didn't GO (simple verb) to the movies last night.

She didn't liked her old job.
She didn't LIKE (simple verb) her old job.

I tell my students that the "ED" is already found in "DID.  Or in other words, we already know it is in the past because we have the auxiliary "DID".  We then, don't need another verb in the past tense.  This is a bit confusing...but with practice, it becomes second nature ;)



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