ADVERBS OF

AFFIRMATION AND
NEGATION
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Simple definition with Examples

Adverb of Affirmation or Negation is a word which declares that
something is true or some equivalent expression or negative
statement, judgment or a logical proposition. Some examples of
affirmation and negation are - certainly, definitely, never, no etc.
The first two words are the Adverbs of Affirmation while the latter
are the Adverbs of Negation.

What is the Difference between

Adverbs of Affirmation and
Adverbs of Negation?
Consider the sentence - ‘I will definitely do that’. Word ‘definitely’
affirms the listener that the speaker is going to do the task which is
being talked about. ‘Definitely’ is therefore an Adverb of
Affirmation. Consider another sentence - ‘I will never do that’. In
the sentence ‘never’ negates the sentence by telling that the speaker
is not going to do the particular task. ‘Never’ is therefore an Adverb
of Negation.
Read the sentences given below and try to identify the Adverbs of
Negation or Affirmation in them and verify your progress with the
answers provided below.
 She is certainly going through hard time.
 There was no visibility during the rains.
 Teachers should never agree to the illogical demands of the
students.
 Eager to know his son’s progress, he will definitely attend the
parent’s teacher meeting.
 The moon is very clearly visible from the terrace of my house.
 Things turned out to be exactly the same as expected.
 On all my visits to the forests, I rarely spotted a tiger.
 I had hardly gone for few miles, when the car broke down.
 The generator I have is scarcely ever used.
 With the kind of dedication he has, he will surely be rewarded
at work.
 After the Principal’s resignation the students can hardly be
controlled.
Answers-: certainly (Adverb of Affirmation), no (negation), never
(negation), definitely (affirmation), clearly (affirmation), exactly
(affirmation), rarely (negation), hardly (negation), scarcely
(negation), surely (affirmation) and hardly (negation).

List/Words/Examples
 List of Affirmative Words
Absolutely, affirmatively, assertedly, avowedly, clearly, truly,
definitely, doubtlessly, exactly, alright, obviously, positively, really,
sure, surely, undoubtedly, yes, certainly, by all means, verily etc.
  List of Negation Words
Nothing, nowhere, not at all, contradictorily, almost, invalidly,
never, no, not or words ending n’t such as haven't, rarely, scarcely
etc.

Exercises/Worksheets/Activities
with Answers
Try completing the following sentences by adding Adverbs of
Affirmation or Negation, which ever completes the sentence
appropriately. Verify your answers with those provided at the end of
exercise.
1) I am ________ going to the school today.
2) You have ________ to do with my business.
3) I can _______ repay my parents for their blessings.
4) You can ________ consult a doctor if required.
5) His solo performance was ________ stunning.
6) I am ______ going to the party because of the exams.
7) The Manager _________ concede to the demands of the
employees.
8) Spoilt kids are _______ seen to be successful.
9) From where I stood, I could _______ see inside the room.
10) Water is _______ available during summer.
11) Rahul _______ got his phone registered for mobile gaming.
12) I have ______ seen a fully grown up elephant in wild till date.
13) I reached there on time but the Principal was ______ to be seen.
14) ____ convict will admit to his crime unless proven.
15) He _______ declared the value of his car for resale.
16) He had spent all his vacation relaxing and doing _______.
17) We must be ______ about achieving our monthly target.
18) Just try to be there on time __________.
19) It was _______ a miracle, which saved his life.
20) I am ________ an employee of XYZ Corporation.
Answers- 1) both ‘definitely’- an adverb of affirmation and’ not’- an
adverb of negation can be used. 2) nothing-negation, 3) never-
negation, 4) certainly-affirmation, 5) absolutely- affirmation, 6) not-
negation, 7) did not-negation, 8) rarely-negation, 9) clearly-
affirmation, 10) scarcely-negation, 11) invalidly-negation, 12)
never-negation, 13) nowhere-negation,14) no-negation, 15)
assertedly-affirmative, 16) nothing-negation, 17) sure-affirmative,
18) by all means-affirmative, 19) truly-affirmative, 20) no more-
negation.
Now try to form different sentences using Adverbs of Affirmation
and Negation on your own.

Quiz/Examples with Multiple

Choice Questions and Answers
Try completing the following sentences by using the words given in
choices. Also try to form more sentences using both affirmative and
negation adverbs.
Adverbs of Affirmation: Quiz/Examples with MCQs and
Answers:
Complete the below sentences by choosing the Adverbs of
Affirmation from the choices given:
 It was ______ an act of courage that saved the lives of
millions.
1. not at all
2. not
3. never
4. definitely
 The price of the asset was ________ declared by the bidding
agency.
1. assertedly
2. truly
3. rarely
4. not at all
 Mahatma Gandhi is _______ the most revered freedom fighter
of Indian freedom struggle.
1. rarely
2. certainly
3. almost
4. never
 After the lecture is over, I am ______ going to the auditorium.
1. never
2. not
3. also
4. surely
 India will _______ emerge as the world’s largest economy in
few years.
1. undoubtedly
2. never
3. may
4. not
 It is _____ if you finish your job on time.
1. bad
2. positive
3. all right
4. rare
 ______ I will make the payment as promised.
1. no
2. yes
3. today
4. never ever
 I am _____ about his success in whichever field he chooses.
1. doubtful
2. sure
3. not sure
4. confused
 I will ______ help you.
1. definitely
2. never
3. not at all
4. not
 He is _____ a great teacher.
1. not
2. truly
3. not at all
4. scarcely
Answers- 1 (d), 2 (a), 3 (b), 4 (d), 5 (a), 6 (c), 7 (b), 8 (b), 9 (a), 10
(b)
Adverbs of Negation: Quiz/Examples with MCQs and Answers:
 My friend _______ has a bike, so we go together.
1. doesn’t
2. certainly
3. definitely
4. also
 Water is so _______ found in some parts of Rajasthan that you
have to walk for miles to get it.
1. profoundly
2. scarcely
3. never
4. plenty
 If you don’t speak assertively, ____ one will ever believe you.
1. every
2. some
3. no
4. any
 He pledged to ________ disrespect his elders.
1. never
2. ever
3. surely
4. sure
 I was expecting him to deny, but ________ he accepted.
1. Contradictorily
2. never
3. absolutely
4. certainly
 The sea liner was _______ visible due to the mist.
1. rarely
 2. hardly
3. clearly
4. exactly
 He _______ to take the medication.
1. refused
2. accepted
3. did not
4. could not
 When apprehended he _______ his involvement.
1. accepted
2. denied
3. declined
4. conceded
 You will _______ not going to the Republic Day parade.
1. regret
2. accept
3. cheer
4. obviously
 I _______ have a driving license.
1. sure
2. truly
3. don’t
4. definitely
Answers- 1 (a), 2 (b), 3 (c), 4 (a), 5 (a), 6 (b), 7 (a), 8 (b), 9 (a), 10
(c)
What is Adverbs of affirmation and negation?
"The word which declare that something is true or some equivalent expression
or negative statement, judgment, doctrine or a logical proposition is called
Adverbs of affirmation and negation."

Difference between Adverbs of Affirmation and Adverbs of Negation.

» Adverb of Affirmation : I will definitely do that project.

In the sentence ‘definitely’ affirms the listener that the speaker is going to do the task
which is being talked about. ‘Definitely’ is therefore an Adverb of Affirmation.

» Adverb of Negation : I will never do that project.

In the sentence ‘never’ negates the sentence by telling that the speaker is not going
to do the particular task. ‘Never’ is therefore an Adverb of Negation.

Adverbs of Affirmation or Negation are:

no longer, hardly, not very, never, surely, certainly, definitely, probably, really,
clearly, exactly, truly, doubtlessly, obviously, almost, rarely, invalidly,
contradictorily, scarcely etc.

Uses of adverb of affirmation and negation

» Adverb of Affirmation sentences: (AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES) :

Adverbs of affirmation are words which declare that a given statement or fact is true,
or positive.
Example:

 • I can probably go there.

 • He will surely give you money.
 • Raj clearly states her concern.
 • We are definitely leaving tomorrow.
 • Pooja doubtlessly agrees on his side.
 • Riya exactly knows the right thing to do.
 • The family truly embraces the Western culture.
 • They are really staying tonight for a sleepover.
 • I would obviously feel awesome about your comment.
 • The soldier should certainly get an award for bravery.
» Adverb of Negation sentences: (NEGATIVE SENTENCES):

Adverbs of negation are words which declare that a given statement is false, or
negative.
Example:

 • I have never seen him.

 • He is not very active.
 • I almost ran out of words.
 • I never talk to him this way.
 • Dimple scarcely does her house duties.
 • He no longer takes interest in his work.
 • The brothers hardly ever meet each other.
 • Simran rarely visits her mom on weekends.
 • He contradictorily did the correct thing.
 • Vivek invalidly checked the receipt given to him.

More uses of adverb of affirmation or Certaimty

• Placed before the main verb unless the main verb is 'to be:
Adverbs of certainty express how certain we feel about an action or event. Adverbs
of certainty go before the main verb unless the main verb is 'to be', in which case the
adverb of certainty goes after.
Example:

 • Raj is certainly a smart man.

 • She is probably in the office.
 • He surely won't forget your birthday.
 • She definitely left the school before 11 o'clock.

• Placed between the auxiliary and the main verb:

If there is an auxiliary verb in sentence, the adverb of certainty goes between the
auxiliary and the main verb.
Example:
  • Train is definitely running late.
 • He has certainly forgotten her birthday.
 • Riya will probably leave India by tonight.

• Placed at the beginning of the sentence:

Sometimes these adverbs of certainty can be placed at the beginning of the
sentence. like: certainly, probably, undoubtedly.
Example:

 • Certainly, I will be there.

 • Probably, she has forgotten the meeting.
 • Undoubtedly, Narendra Modi is a great politician.

• Placed at the beginning of the sentence, when the speaker thinks something
is true, but is looking for confirmation:
When the adverb of certainty 'surely' is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it
means the speaker thinks something is true, but is looking for confirmation.
Example:

 • Surely, you have got a motor bike.

 • Surely, you are not going to carry that to the office.