Formation of questions and negatives (beginner level)

Sentences in the simple present and simple past tenses do not contain an auxiliary verb. Therefore, we use the auxiliary verbs do, does and did to change them into negatives and questions.

Do and does are used in the simple present tense. Did is used in the simple past tense. Note that do is used with plural nouns and pronouns. The first person pronoun I also take the verb do. Does is used with singular nouns and pronouns.

Study the sentence given below.

Little children learn something new every day. (Affirmative)

Little children do not learn something new every day. (Negative)

Do little children learn something new every day? (Question)

Here the noun children is a plural noun. Therefore we use the verb do.

Exercise

Change the following sentences into negatives and questions.

1. Beggars sit outside the station all day long.

2. She works at a bank.

3. My son writes with his left hand.

4. She earns a six figure salary.

5. She wants to talk to the manager.

6. The baker called later this afternoon.

Answers

1. Beggars do not sit outside the station all day long. / Do beggars sit outside the station all day long?

2. She does not work at a bank. / Does she work at a bank?

3. My son does not write with his left hand. / Does my son write with his left hand?

4. She does not earn a six figure salary. / Does she earn a six figure salary?

5. She does not want to talk to the manager. / Does she want to talk to the manager?

6. The baker did not call later this afternoon. / Did the baker call later this afternoon?