Present simple negative form: How and When to Use in English

You like Hotel Blunderbuss → You don't like Hotel Blunderbuss. After you, use don't + infinitive without to (to like) to create the short negative form. Example: you don't play basketball.

It rains → It does not rain. To create the negative form of the present simple tense after it, use does + not + main verb without s at the end (rains). Example: it does not turn on.

Roger and Timmy eat cookies → Roger and Timmy don't eat cookies. For plural subjects like Roger and Timmy (=they), use don't + verb (eat) to create the negative form. Examples: they don't drive; we don't organize parties.

She does not enjoy video games. In the present simple tense when she is the subject, the structure of the negative form is: subject (she) + does + not + verb in the infinitive form without to (to enjoy). Example: she does not understand my point.

Dr. Meyer doesn't like his job. Doesn't (short for does not) + verb (like) is the negative short form that we use after a subject like Dr. Meyer (=he). The short form is mainly used in informal situations and spoken language. Example: he doesn't talk to me.

They don't go to Edinburgh. The short negative form that follows a subject like they is don't (=do not) + main verb in its infinitive form without to (to go). Example: they don't run in the park.

Caroline prepares the dishes → Caroline doesn't prepare the dishes. To create the negative short form after a subject like Caroline (=she), use doesn't (=does not) + verb in its infinitive form without to (to prepare). Note that in the negative form we do not add the s at the end of the verb (she prepares). Example: Magda doesn't welcome guests in the hotel.

You can say for example I don't prepare the dishes, but you need to use doesn't after a subject like he/she/it.

We watch TV series → We don't watch TV series. After a subject like we, the negative short form of the present simple tense is don't + main verb without to (to watch). Example: we don't take pictures.

You could say she doesn't watch TV series because we use doesn't after a subject like he/she/it, but not after we. Actually, who doesn't watch TV series? 😛

He makes a choice → He does not make a choice. After subjects like he/she/it, add does + not + main verb without s at the end (makes) to create the negative form. Examples: she does not care; it does not walk.

You could say I do not make a choice, but you cannot use do after a subject like he.

Are you hungry? This is a donut: 🍩, but we do not use it to create the negative form!