Detailed Notes on Negation in English Grammar
Introduction to Negation
Negation is the act of making a statement negative to express that something is not true or
not the case. It can be done using negative words such as 'no', 'not', 'never', 'none', 'nobody',
etc.
Negative Markers: Types
There are various types of negative markers used in English:
• Negative Adverbs: not, never, rarely, scarcely, hardly, etc.
• Negative Determiners: no, neither
• Negative Pronouns: nobody, none, nothing, no one
Negation Using Adverbs
These adverbs imply negation even when the verb is affirmative:
Examples:
• She hardly speaks to me.
• I do not like him anymore.
Negative Determiners
The word 'no' acts as a determiner and is placed before nouns to create a negative meaning:
Examples:
• No butter is added to the bread.
• I received no mails.
Negative Pronouns
These replace nouns in sentences with a negative meaning:
Examples:
• Nobody likes the teacher.
• Nothing is more important than you.
Negation in Sentence
Negative adverbs typically negate verbs or adjectives, determiners negate nouns, and
pronouns serve as subject/object with negative sense.
Neither or 'Neither...Nor'
'Neither...nor' negates two elements and should not be used with another negative:
Examples:
• Neither my dad nor my mom lets me go.
• Neither bed is comfy.
Forming Negative Words
Use prefixes/suffixes to form negative words:
Prefixes: un-, in-, im-, ir-, il-, dis-, mis-, non-, de-
Suffix: -less
Examples: Unhappy, Disrespectful, Useless
Negation: Emphasising
We can use 'at all' and 'whatsoever' to add emphasis:
Examples:
• There is nothing at all left.
• No light whatsoever was seen.
Negation: Two Negatives
Standard English avoids double negatives:
Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
Correct: I don’t know anything / I know nothing.
Rules of Negation in English Grammar
Rule 1: Use Only One Negative in Standard English
Avoid double negatives in formal English.
Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
Correct: I don’t know anything.
Rule 2: Use Auxiliary Verbs with 'Not' in Simple Tenses
In present/past simple tenses, use 'do/does/did + not + base verb'.
Examples:
• She does not like tea.
• We did not see the movie.
Rule 3: Place 'Not' After the First Auxiliary Verb
In compound tenses, 'not' follows the first auxiliary.
Examples:
• She has not finished.
• They are not coming.
Rule 4: Negative Adverbs Often Require Inversion
When negative adverbs begin a sentence, invert subject and auxiliary.
Examples:
• Never have I seen such chaos.
Rule 5: Negative Pronouns and Determiners Make the Whole Sentence
Negative
Avoid extra negatives.
Incorrect: Nobody didn’t come.
Correct: Nobody came.
Rule 6: 'No' vs 'Not'
'No' is used before nouns; 'not' is used with verbs/adjectives.
Examples:
• No milk is left.
• Not a single drop is left.
Rule 7: 'Neither…Nor' Is Inherently Negative
Avoid using 'not' with 'neither...nor'.
Correct: Neither he nor his brother was invited.
Rule 8: Use Indefinite Pronouns Correctly in Negation
Use anything, anyone, anywhere with negatives.
Correct: I don’t want anything.
