Negation (statements and questions)

Topic 11

NEGATION (STATEMENTS AND QUESTIONS)

INTRODUCTION

A Negation states something is not true or incorrect or presents some fact by using a negative word (e.g. no, not). A negative sentence can be formed when words like “no”, “not”, “don't” or "doesn't" is added to the sentence. An interrogative sentence is a sentence whose grammatical form indicates that it is a question. Interrogative questions end with a question mark.

Examples: 

1. Sheela can fly kites (Statement)

Sheela cannot fly kites (Negative Sentence)

Can Sheela fly kites? (Interrogative Sentence)

2. Ravi will help me with this project (Statement)

Ravi will not help me with this project (Negative Sentence)

Will Ravi help me with this project? (Interrogative Sentence) 

3. Suresh could lift really heavy weights (Statement)

Suresh could not lift really heavy weights (Negative Sentence) 

Could Suresh lift really heavy weights? (Interrogative Sentence)

4. You could have taken the school bus (Statement)

You could not have taken the school bus (Negative Sentence) 

Could you have taken the school bus? (Interrogative Sentence)

5. This will be a difficult assignment (Statement)

This will not be a difficult assignment (Negative Sentence) 

Will this be a difficult assignment? (Interrogative Sentence)

Practice Exercises

I. Change the following statements into negative:

1. I have this document.

2. I finished my work.

3. I can do this work.

4. I have all necessary certificates.

5. I can speak German.

6. I have a lot of friends.

7. She has a big home.

8. He has a friend in Norway.

9. I managed to do the work on time.

10. I worked on Sunday.

11. He is my brother.

12. Ravi was studying for the tests.

13. I know the answer.

14. They were waiting for us.

15. I can tell you where the trowel is.

16. They work in the mornings.

17. He has a car.

18. They had a question.

19. They had a bill.

20. You paid the bill.

21. You saw his sister.

22. I looked through the window.

23. I wanted to help.

24. He tells the truth.

25. These flowers are fresh.

26. My mother makes delicious cakes.

27. Susan writes plays for television.

28. My sister runs a website.

29. They are anxious about his safety.

30. I was studying for the test.

31. It was an unforgettable experience.

32. We enjoyed the evening very much.

33. She recognized him instantly.

34. My dad wanted me to become a doctor.

35. He was interested in the offer.

36. They were waiting for our reply.

37. He admitted that he was wrong.

38. He denied the charge.

39. She refused to go with him.

40. I have finished working on the project.

41. The teacher was paying attention to the other children in the room.

42. The band was playing perfectly in tune.

43. My friend wants to move to Alaska with her family.

44. I waited for Charlie to finish complaining about his stupid cell phone.

45. Sara is the first person in our family to go to college.

46. When I go to bed tonight, I will think about pink elephants.

47. I heard my grandfather singing in the shower.

48. We are going to spend our vacation at the lake this year.

49. Caleb tried very hard to win the race.

50. Last night I went to the movie theater with Takumi.

II. Change the following sentences into Question:

1. You have work for me.

2. You promised to increase the salary.

3. You gave me the money.

4. We deal.

5. The work is hard.

6. It is my room.

7. The bank is closed.

8. You are talking to me.

9. They finished the work yesterday.

10. They worked very hard.

11. I finish the work at 5 o'clock.

12. I need a certificate.

13. I can find the bricks.

14. You can check it now.

15. You can tell me the answer.

16. You can show me the example.

17. She showed me this room.

18. She works with you.

19. He has my telephone number.

20. You saw my work.

21.There is a window.

22. There are tools.

23. There is change.

24. You took it from my table.

25. She lives in Canada.

26. Meera writes plays for the television.

27. He has always wanted to be an inventor.

28. He teaches Sanskrit at a government school.

29. He wants to quit his job.

30. They launched their business last year.

31. He made a fortune when he sold his apparel business to a foreign company.

32. The mother reprimanded the boy for coming home late.

33. She put the books on the table.

34. Rahul met his ex-girlfriend at the party.

35. He borrowed 1000 dollars from his uncle.

36. Rohan broke another window yesterday.

37. The boy fed the cats.

38. He works at a multinational company.

39. His parents have arrived.

40. Our team won the championship.

41. James left school at fourteen.

42. The boys applauded the players.

43. He accused her of poisoning his dog.

44. She saved money by giving up cigarettes.

45. He always feeds the cat before going out.

46. Those glasses belong on the top shelf.

47. She rang him up.

48. We agree about most things.

49. They left in the morning.

50. Birds of a feather flock together.

II. Change the following affirmative sentences into negative and interrogative sentences.

1. Mary earns a six figure salary.

2. She conducted herself well.

3. I made a cake yesterday.

4. She spent her childhood in Malaysia.

5. John took some books from the library.

6. Rahul reads a lot.

7. She recognized him at once.

8. She told a story.

9. I want to become a millionaire.