Don't vs. Doesn't
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Don't vs. Doesn't
To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.).
Affirmative: "You speak Spanish."
Negative: "You don't speak Spanish."
You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they.
Affirmative: "He speaks Spanish."
Negative: "He doesn't speak Spanish."
When the subject is he, she or it, we add doesn't between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. Notice that the letter S at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) disappears in the negative sentence. We will see the reason why below.
- Contractions:
Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not
"I don't like fish" = "I do not like fish."
There is no difference in meaning though we normally use contractions in spoken English.
- Word Order of Negative Sentences:
The following is the word order to construct a basic negative sentence in English in the Present Tense using Don't or Doesn't.
Subject: I / you / we / they
Verb: don't have / buy
The Rest of the sentence: cereal for breakfast
Subject: he / she / it
Verb: doesn't eat / like etc.
The Rest of the sentence: cereal for breakfast
Examples of Negative Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:
"You don't speak Russian."
"John doesn't speak French."
"We don't have time for a quick drink."
"It doesn't rain much in summer."
"They don't want to come with us."
"She doesn't like meat."
http://www.grammar.cl/Present/Dont_Doesnt.htm
Vincent Law- Advanced Fluency
- Posts : 1537
Join date : 2011-12-22
Age : 49
Location : Philadelphia
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