English Lessons: Don't vs Doesn't

English Lessons: Don't vs Doesn't

English Lessons: Don't vs Doesn't

English Lessons: Don't vs Doesn't

We use "Don't" or "Doesn't", to make a negative sentence in English and we use it with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modals Grammar verbs.

Modals Grammar verbs (Can, might, should must, would, etc.).

Affirmative:   They speak English.
Negative:      They don't speak English.

We use "Don't" when the subject is I, you, we or they, we add "Don't" between the subject and the verb.

Affirmative:   She speaks English.
Negative:      She doesn't speak English.

• [message]
• ##check## Notice:
• The letter "S" at the end of the verb in the affirmative sentence (because it is in third person) remove it in the negative sentence. When the subject is he, it or she, we add "Doesn't" between the subject and the verb to make a negative sentence. 

English Lessons: Contractions:

Don't = Do not
Doesn't = Does not

They don't like rice = I do not like rice.

There is no difference in meaning although we normally use contractions in spoken English.

• [message]
• ##check## English Lessons: Word Order of Negative Sentences:
• The Present Tense using "Don't"or "Doesn't", and order to construct a basic negative sentence in English.

Subject                     don't/doesn't     Verb*         The Rest of the sentence

I / you / we / they          don't         have / buy
                                                              eat / like etc.     cereal for breakfast
he / she / it                doesn't

Verb*: The verb that goes here is the foundation form of the infinitive = The infinitive without TO before the verb. Instead the infinitive To have it is just the have part.

Remember that the infinitive is the verb before it is conjugated (changed) and it starts with TO. For example: to have, to eat, to play, to live, to speak etc.

English Lessons: Examples of Negative Sentences with Don't and Doesn't:

You don't speak French.
She doesn't want to come with us.
She doesn't like fish.