Present Simple Tense: Negatives and Questions

In this lesson, we'll explore how to form negative sentences, questions, and negative questions in the Present Simple tense. These forms are essential for everyday communication in English, allowing you to express what you don't do, ask about routines and facts, and engage in natural conversations.

The Present Simple uses the auxiliary verbs "do" and "does" to form negatives and questions. Understanding when to use each form is crucial for mastering this fundamental tense.

1. Negative Forms of Present Simple

To make a negative sentence in the Present Simple, we use the auxiliary verb "do" or "does" + "not" + the base form of the main verb.

Structure:

Subject + do/does + not + base verb

Important Rule: The main verb always stays in its base form (no -s ending) in negative sentences, even with he/she/it.

Full Forms vs. Contractions:

Subject Full Form Contraction Example
I do not don't I don't like coffee.
You do not don't You don't work on Sundays.
He does not doesn't He doesn't speak French.
She does not doesn't She doesn't live here anymore.
It does not doesn't It doesn't rain much in summer.
We do not don't We don't eat meat.
They do not don't They don't watch TV often.

More Examples:

  • I don't understand the question.
  • She doesn't work on weekends. (NOT: doesn't works)
  • We don't have any pets.
  • He doesn't like spicy food. (NOT: doesn't likes)
  • They don't know the answer.
  • The shop doesn't open on Sundays. (NOT: doesn't opens)

Remember: With "be" as the main verb, we don't use do/does. Instead, we add "not" directly after the verb:

  • I am not (I'm not) tired.
  • She is not (isn't) at home.
  • They are not (aren't) ready.

2. Yes/No Questions

To form yes/no questions in the Present Simple, we use "do" or "does" at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb.

Structure:

Do/Does + subject + base verb + ?

Auxiliary Subject Base Verb Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
Do I need Do I need a ticket? Yes, you do. No, you don't.
Do you like Do you like pizza? Yes, I do. No, I don't.
Does he work Does he work here? Yes, he does. No, he doesn't.
Does she speak Does she speak English? Yes, she does. No, she doesn't.
Does it cost Does it cost a lot? Yes, it does. No, it doesn't.
Do we have Do we have time? Yes, we do. No, we don't.
Do they know Do they know about it? Yes, they do. No, they don't.

Key Points about Short Answers:

  • We use do/does in short answers, not the main verb
  • The auxiliary matches the subject (do for I/you/we/they, does for he/she/it)
  • We usually contract in negative short answers: "No, I don't" rather than "No, I do not"

3. WH-Questions (Information Questions)

WH-questions ask for specific information using question words like what, where, when, who, why, how, etc.

Structure:

Question word + do/does + subject + base verb + ?

Common WH-Questions:

What
  • What do you do? (asking about job/occupation)
  • What does she want?
  • What do they study at university?
Where
  • Where do you live?
  • Where does he work?
  • Where do they go on vacation?
When
  • When do you wake up?
  • When does the train leave?
  • When do we have the meeting?
Why
  • Why do you learn English?
  • Why does she arrive late?
  • Why do they prefer this restaurant?
How
  • How do you get to work?
  • How does it work?
  • How often do you exercise?
  • How much does it cost?
  • How many languages do you speak?

Special Case: Questions with "Who" as Subject

When "who" is the subject of the question, we don't use do/does:

  • Who lives here? (NOT: Who does live here?)
  • Who works on Saturdays? (NOT: Who does work...?)
  • Who wants coffee? (NOT: Who does want...?)

But when "who" is the object, we use do/does:

  • Who do you know at the party?
  • Who does she love?

4. Negative Questions

Negative questions are used to express surprise, seek confirmation, or make suggestions.

Two Forms:

1. With Contractions (More Common)

Don't/Doesn't + subject + base verb + ?

  • Don't you like chocolate?
  • Doesn't she work here anymore?
  • Don't they know about the meeting?
2. Without Contractions (More Formal)

Do/Does + subject + not + base verb + ?

  • Do you not like chocolate?
  • Does she not work here anymore?
  • Do they not know about the meeting?

Uses of Negative Questions:

Purpose Example Context
Expressing Surprise Don't you eat meat? You're surprised to learn someone is vegetarian
Seeking Confirmation Doesn't he live in London? You thought he lived there and want to confirm
Making Suggestions Don't you think we should leave? Politely suggesting it's time to go
Showing Concern Don't you feel well? You notice someone looks unwell

5. Questions and Negatives with "Be"

The verb "be" is special - it doesn't use do/does for questions and negatives.

Questions with "Be":

Statement Question Short Answer (+) Short Answer (-)
I am ready. Am I ready? Yes, you are. No, you aren't.
You are tired. Are you tired? Yes, I am. No, I'm not.
He is a doctor. Is he a doctor? Yes, he is. No, he isn't.
She is happy. Is she happy? Yes, she is. No, she isn't.
We are late. Are we late? Yes, we are. No, we aren't.

Negatives with "Be":

  • I am not (I'm not) hungry.
  • You are not (aren't) late.
  • He is not (isn't) at home.
  • She is not (isn't) a teacher.
  • It is not (isn't) cold today.
  • We are not (aren't) ready.
  • They are not (aren't) here.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect Correct Explanation
He doesn't works here. He doesn't work here. Use base form after doesn't, not -s form
Does she lives in Paris? Does she live in Paris? Use base form after does in questions
I no like coffee. I don't like coffee. Use don't/doesn't for negatives, not "no"
Do he speak English? Does he speak English? Use "does" with he/she/it
Where does you work? Where do you work? Use "do" with you, not "does"
She don't understand. She doesn't understand. Use "doesn't" with he/she/it
Who does want coffee? Who wants coffee? Don't use do/does when "who" is the subject
I am not work here. I don't work here. Don't mix "be" with other verbs

7. Question Tags

Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements to confirm information or seek agreement.

Rules:

  • Positive statement → negative tag
  • Negative statement → positive tag

Examples:

  • You speak English, don't you?
  • She doesn't work here, does she?
  • They live in London, don't they?
  • He doesn't like coffee, does he?
  • We need help, don't we?
  • It costs a lot, doesn't it?

With "Be":

  • You're tired, aren't you?
  • She isn't ready, is she?
  • I'm right, aren't I? (special case)

Practice Test - Negatives

Choose the correct negative form for each sentence.

1. She ______ (like) spicy food.

2. They ______ (work) on weekends.

3. It ______ (rain) much in summer.

4. I ______ (understand) the question.

5. He ______ (have) a car.

Practice Test - Yes/No Questions

Transform these statements into yes/no questions.

Practice Test - WH-Questions

Choose the correct question word to complete each question.

1. ______ do you live?

2. ______ does she arrive late?

3. ______ do you get to work?

4. ______ languages do you speak?

5. ______ do you do? (asking about job)

Practice Test - Short Answers

Choose the correct short answer for each question.

1. "Do you like pizza?" (Yes)

2. "Does she work here?" (No)

3. "Do they know about it?" (Yes)

4. "Does it cost a lot?" (No)

5. "Do we have time?" (Yes)

Mixed Practice

Transform the sentences according to the instructions.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. Negatives: Use don't/doesn't + base verb (I don't like, She doesn't work)
  2. Questions: Use Do/Does + subject + base verb? (Do you speak English?)
  3. Third person rule: Use "does/doesn't" with he/she/it
  4. Base form rule: Always use the base form of the verb after do/does/don't/doesn't
  5. WH-questions: Question word + do/does + subject + base verb?
  6. Short answers: Yes/No + subject + do/does (Yes, I do. / No, she doesn't.)
  7. Special case: The verb "be" doesn't use do/does for questions and negatives
  8. Question tags: Positive statement → negative tag, Negative statement → positive tag
  9. Who as subject: Don't use do/does when "who" is the subject (Who lives here?)
  10. Common contractions: don't = do not, doesn't = does not

Mastering negatives and questions in the Present Simple is essential for everyday communication. These forms allow you to express what you don't do, ask about others' routines and habits, and engage in natural conversations. Remember that the auxiliary verbs (do/does) carry the tense and person marking, while the main verb always stays in its base form. Practice these patterns regularly to make them automatic in your speech!