Grade 4 English Parts Of Speech – Negative Statements Notes

English — Parts of Speech: Negative Statements

A negative statement tells us that something is not true. We use the word "not" or other negative words (no, never, nobody, nothing, nowhere) to make a negative sentence.

1. How to make negative sentences

• Present simple (use do / does):
  Subject + do/does + not + base verb
  Examples:

  I do not (don't) have a pen. → I don't have a pen. 🖊️

  He does not (doesn't) like milk. → He doesn't like milk. 🥛
• Past simple (use did):
  Subject + did + not + base verb
  Example:

  She did not (didn't) go to school yesterday. → She didn't go to school yesterday. 🏫
• With the verb "to be":
  Subject + am/is/are + not
  Examples:

  I am not tired. → I'm not tired. 😌

  They are not at the playground. → They aren't at the playground. ⚽

2. Common contractions (short forms)

3. Negative words

Sometimes we use other negative words:

• no: There is no milk.
• never: I never eat sweets at night.
• nobody / no one: Nobody is at the gate.
• nothing: There is nothing in the box.
• nowhere / anywhere: We went nowhere yesterday. (or: We did not go anywhere yesterday.)

4. Short answers to questions

When someone asks a question, you can answer shortly:

5. Examples with a Kenyan touch

• The teacher is not in class. → The teacher isn't in class. 🧑‍🏫
• We do not have a mat today. → We don't have a mat. (or: We don't have mats.) 🧺
• The elephant did not go to the farm. → The elephant didn't go to the farm. 🐘
• There is no water in the jerrycan. → No water in the jerrycan. 🚰

6. Short practice (try these)

1. Make negative: I have a pencil. → ______________________
2. Make negative: He plays football. → ______________________
3. Make question and short negative answer: She is late. (Ask & answer) → Q: __________________ A: __________________
4. Use "never": I eat sweets at night. → ______________________
5. Use "nobody": There is someone at the door. → ______________________

Keep practicing by changing positive sentences to negative ones. Try with things at home or at school — it's good grammar practice!