Step 4 - Grammar

Negative structures

There are a number of negatives structures in English ranging from basic negative sentences to the more complicated neither ... nor and not ... either.
Learn the most common negative structures and do the exercises.
The most common negatives structures are:

           

Negative structures

           

Assignment 1: 'No' words

In pairs, taking turns, form sentences with 'no' words. Do this either in writing or orally.
Let your partner or your teacher assess your sentences. Ask your teacher for instructions.

  1. have seen – lap top computer
  2. can see – way out
  3. have drunk – coffee yet
  4. feel – pain
  5. find – pencil - (place)
  6. want to help – (person)
  7. take – drugs
  8. read – report – yet
  9. finish – exercise
  10. can see - (person)

Neither ..... Nor

Use the phrase 'neither ... nor' when expressing two negatives together.
Note that the verb is inverted after the use of 'nor'.

Examples:

I have neither the time nor have I had the desire to do my work.
She has neither the time nor the money to help her friends.
Alex has neither the means nor does he have the ability to find a new job.


In pairs, taking turns, form sentences with 'neither' and 'nor'. Do this either in writing or orally.
Let your partner or your teacher assess your sentences. Ask your teacher for instructions.

  1. have - water – tea leaves – brew a pot of tea
  2. can find – time – motivation – finish this exercise
  3. have – time – knowledge – design a functional website
  4. have – time – need – learn Swahili in a month
  5. lack – money – space – to allow refugees in
  6. have – tools – experience – to build a chair
  7. hanging – quartering – to consider humane punishment
  8. big Mac – Kapsalon – to be examples of healthy eating
  9. mobile phones – crib notes - allowed when taking exams
  10. bikini – swimming trunk – considered appropriate dressing during English lesson.