Change into Negative Sentence-Affirmative to Negative sentence worksheet

Converting affirmative sentences into negative ones is a key skill in English grammar. A negative sentence expresses denial, refusal, or the absence of something. For example, the sentence “I like pizza” becomes “I do not like pizza.” This transformation is essential for clear communication, especially for English learners working on sentence structure and verb usage.

This guide explains how to form negative sentences, when to use “not,” “never,” or auxiliary verbs, and provides a worksheet to practice these changes. Whether you’re a beginner or need a quick refresher, this resource will help you confidently express negative ideas in English.

Examples of Affirmative to Negative sentence worksheet

📝 What Does It Mean to Change into a Negative Sentence?

Changing an affirmative sentence (positive statement) into a negative sentence means expressing the opposite idea—stating that something is not true or does not happen.

Negative sentences often use words like not, never, no, or don’t/doesn’t/didn’t to show denial or refusal.


✅ Affirmative vs. ❌ Negative

Affirmative SentenceNegative Sentence
I like pizza.I do not like pizza.
She is happy.She is not happy.
They play football.They do not play football.
He went to school.He did not go to school.
We have a car.We do not have a car.

🔧 How to Form Negative Sentences

Use the helping verb + not in the correct tense:

  • Present Simple:
    He plays → He does not play
    I go → I do not go
  • Past Simple:
    She walked → She did not walk
  • To Be Verbs:
    I am → I am not
    They are → They are not
    He was → He was not

🧠 Practice Exercise: Change the Following Sentences into Negative Form

  1. She eats apples.
  2. We are tired.
  3. He goes to the gym every day.
  4. I watched a movie.
  5. They have a dog.
  6. The baby is sleeping.
  7. You drive fast.
  8. It was cold yesterday.
  9. They play the piano.
  10. I like this song.
Related Learning Post  Optative Sentence Examples in English

How to Change a Sentence into Negative

Turning a positive (affirmative) sentence into a negative one is a basic yet essential part of learning English grammar. A negative sentence expresses the opposite of an affirmative statement and usually includes the word “not” or a negative helping verb.

Steps to Change a Positive Sentence into a Negative Sentence:

  1. Locate the Main Verb
    First, identify the main verb in the sentence. This helps determine where to place the negative word.
  2. Insert “Not” After the Helping Verb
    If the sentence includes a helping verb (like is, are, was, were, will, have, has), place “not” directly after it.
    Example:
    • Affirmative: She is happy.
    • Negative: She is not happy.
  3. Use “Do,” “Does,” or “Did” for Simple Tenses
    For sentences without helping verbs, use do, does, or did plus “not” before the base form of the main verb.
    Examples:
    • Affirmative: They play football.
    • Negative: They do not play football.
    • Affirmative: He likes ice cream.
    • Negative: He does not like ice cream.
    • Affirmative: I saw the movie.
    • Negative: I did not see the movie.

By understanding the verb tense and using the correct form of negation, you can easily transform positive sentences into their negative counterparts.

1st 50 positive and negative sentence pairs

#Positive SentenceNegative Sentence
1I read novels.I do not read novels.
2She writes emails.She does not write emails.
3They clean the house.They do not clean the house.
4He drinks coffee.He does not drink coffee.
5We play music.We do not play music.
6I go to bed early.I do not go to bed early.
7You eat fruits.You do not eat fruits.
8She helps her brother.She does not help her brother.
9He draws cartoons.He does not draw cartoons.
10We drive to work.We do not drive to work.
11I watch YouTube.I do not watch YouTube.
12She sings in the choir.She does not sing in the choir.
13They cook breakfast.They do not cook breakfast.
14He checks his phone.He does not check his phone.
15We walk to school.We do not walk to school.
16I take notes in class.I do not take notes in class.
17She visits her aunt.She does not visit her aunt.
18He opens the window.He does not open the window.
19We call our friends.We do not call our friends.
20You fix your bike.You do not fix your bike.
21I play the drums.I do not play the drums.
22She dances gracefully.She does not dance gracefully.
23He reads the news.He does not read the news.
24They talk loudly.They do not talk loudly.
25We feed the birds.We do not feed the birds.
26I paint my room.I do not paint my room.
27She wears red.She does not wear red.
28He runs at the park.He does not run at the park.
29We shop at the market.We do not shop at the market.
30They visit their uncle.They do not visit their uncle.
31I bring my lunch.I do not bring my lunch.
32She feeds the baby.She does not feed the baby.
33He carries the box.He does not carry the box.
34You play with your dog.You do not play with your dog.
35We wash our hands.We do not wash our hands.
36I listen to the teacher.I do not listen to the teacher.
37She goes to the market.She does not go to the market.
38He catches the ball.He does not catch the ball.
39They walk their dogs.They do not walk their dogs.
40We study together.We do not study together.
41I close the door.I do not close the door.
42She teaches English.She does not teach English.
43He waters the garden.He does not water the garden.
44They laugh a lot.They do not laugh a lot.
45We prepare dinner.We do not prepare dinner.
46I carry a backpack.I do not carry a backpack.
47She uses a computer.She does not use a computer.
48He tells jokes.He does not tell jokes.
49You open your notebook.You do not open your notebook.
50We dance at parties.We do not dance at parties.

2nd 50 positive and negative sentence pairs

#Positive SentenceNegative Sentence
51They cook dinner.They do not cook dinner.
52He play the guitars.He does not play the guitar.
53She draw picturess.She does not draw pictures.
54I run fast.I do not run fast.
55You sleep early.You do not sleep early.
56We open the window.We do not open the window.
57He close the doors.He does not close the door.
58She wear glassess.She does not wear glasses.
59I drink tea.I do not drink tea.
60You eat vegetables.You do not eat vegetables.
61We read magazines.We do not read magazines.
62He write poemss.He does not write poems.
63She bake cookiess.She does not bake cookies.
64I drive a car.I do not drive a car.
65You ride a bike.You do not ride a bike.
66We wash the dishes.We do not wash the dishes.
67He feed the dogs.He does not feed the dog.
68She check emailss.She does not check emails.
69I text friends.I do not text friends.
70You go to work.You do not go to work.
71We watch the stars.We do not watch the stars.
72He build sandcastless.He does not build sandcastles.
73She paint wallss.She does not paint walls.
74I sing songs.I do not sing songs.
75You jump high.You do not jump high.
76We study history.We do not study history.
77He travel by trains.He does not travel by train.
78She swim in the pools.She does not swim in the pool.
79I visit friends.I do not visit friends.
80You call grandma.You do not call grandma.
81We fix the sink.We do not fix the sink.
82He climb treess.He does not climb trees.
83She shop onlines.She does not shop online.
84I listen to podcasts.I do not listen to podcasts.
85You help others.You do not help others.
86We answer questions.We do not answer questions.
87He ask for helps.He does not ask for help.
88She arrive early.She does not arrive early.
89I leave late.I do not leave late.
90You water the plants.You do not water the plants.
91We write code.We do not write code.
92He attend class.He does not attend class.
93She ride the bus.She does not ride the bus.
94I do homework.I do not do homework.
95You wear a uniform.You do not wear a uniform.
96We join the team.We do not join the team.
97He follow rules.He does not follow rules.
98She practice yoga.She does not practice yoga.
99I enjoy silence.I do not enjoy silence.
100They love animals.They do not love animals.

Note for English Learners

Understanding how to change a positive (affirmative) sentence into a negative sentence is a fundamental part of English grammar. Negative sentences are used to express the absence, denial, or contradiction of an action or state. The key is to use “not” or helping verbs like “do not,” “does not,” or “did not” based on the tense and subject of the sentence.

Related Learning Post  Examples of Positive Sentences in English: Structure and Usage

Tip: Always identify the main verb and the tense of the sentence before converting it into negative form.


❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a negative sentence?

A negative sentence is one that expresses a negative meaning, indicating that something is not true, does not happen, or did not happen. Example:
Positive: “She sings.” → Negative: “She does not sing.”

How do I make a sentence negative?

To make a sentence negative:

  • Add “not” after a helping verb: is, are, was, were, will, etc.
  • Use “do not,” “does not,” or “did not” with the base form of the main verb, depending on the tense and subject.

What is the difference between “does not” and “do not”?

  • Use “does not” with he, she, it (third person singular).
    Example: “He does not play.”
  • Use “do not” with I, you, we, they.
    Example: “They do not eat.”

When do I use “did not”?

Use “did not” for all subjects when the sentence is in the past tense.
Example: “I saw a movie.” → “I did not see a movie.”

Can I use contractions in negative sentences?

Yes. In spoken and informal English, contractions are common:

  • Do not → don’t
  • Does not → doesn’t
  • Did not → didn’t
    Example: “She doesn’t like tea.”

Is “not” always placed after the verb?

In most cases, yes. Especially with helping or auxiliary verbs:

  • “She is not happy.”
  • “They do not play football.”