To make the present simple negative, use don’t with I, you, we, and they, and doesn’t with he, she, and it, followed by the base verb, as in I don’t like coffee or she doesn’t play tennis. The verb never takes -s, because doesn’t already includes it.
Grammar Rule
We do not add -s to the verb, because doesn’t already includes it.
Present Simple Negative: Structure
| Subject | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | don’t + base verb | I don’t like coffee. We don’t have a car. They don’t live here. |
| he / she / it | doesn’t + base verb | She doesn’t play tennis. He doesn’t work on Sundays. |
Remember: doesn’t already includes the -s, the verb stays unchanged.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using the correct present simple negative form. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Present Simple – Negative (do not / does not)
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make the present simple negative for I, you, we, or they?
Use don’t plus the base verb, as in I don’t like coffee.
How do you make the present simple negative for he, she, or it?
Use doesn’t plus the base verb, as in she doesn’t play tennis.
Does the verb take -s after doesn’t?
No. The verb stays unchanged after doesn’t, because doesn’t already includes the -s.
What is the difference between don’t and doesn’t?
Don’t is used with I, you, we, and they, while doesn’t is used with he, she, and it.