Adverbs and Double Negatives

Negative adverbials

When do you use negative adverbials?

You use negative adverbials for emphasis, dramatic purpose, or formality.

They are more common in written English and they are useful to sound more formal and show that you can use different ways to deliver your message.

How do you use negative adverbials?

They are used at the beginning of the sentences​ and they imply a negative meaning so, you have to invert the following subject and verb:

​

Only then did I realize my error.​

Seldom do I eat ​fast food.

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Negative adverbials

Some negative adverbials

• At no time

• Not until

• In no way

• Under no circumstances

• No sooner

Negative adverbials

• Never

• Seldom​

• Hardly​

• Scarcely​

• Only when

The list of negative adverbials is something that you need to check and practice until you get familiar with some words and start using them in your papers.​

Auxiliary verbs

Negative adverbials

• Simple present (do, does)

• Simple past (did)

• Present perfect (has, have)

• Past perfect (had)

As you could see in the examples, auxiliary verbs are the key for inversions so, you need to have perfect knowledge on the auxiliary verbs for each tense.

Multiple Choice

Identify the tense used in the following phrase:

You don't have to take it personal, just let it go!

• Simple Present

• Simple Past

• Past perfect

• Present perfect

Multiple Choice

Identify the tense used in the following phrase:

She has tried Thai food several times, but she still doesn't like it.

• Simple Present

• Simple Past

• Past perfect

• Present perfect

Multiple Choice

Identify the tense used in the following phrase:

Mr. Collins had already visited that company before.

• Simple Present

• Simple Past

• Past perfect

• Present perfect

Fill in the Blanks

Write the auxiliary verb you find in the following phrase:

You don't have to take it personal, just let it go!

Fill in the Blanks

Write the auxiliary verb you find in the following phrase:

She has tried Thai food several times, but she still doesn't like it.

Fill in the Blanks

Write the auxiliary verb you find in the following phrase:

Mr. Collins had already visited that company before.

Fill in the Blanks

Write the auxiliary verb you find in the following phrase:

I will have to travel next year to get that contract.

Time to practice:

• At no time

• Not until

• In no way

• Under no circumstances

• No sooner

Negative adverbials

• Never

• Seldom​

• Hardly​

• Scarcely​

• Only when

Step 1. Identify the tense

Step 2. Place your negative adverbial

Step 3. Make the inversion of auxiliary / subject / verb​

Time to practice:

Negative adverbials

Step 1. Identify the tense

Alice can't be here

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Step 2. Choose your negative adverbial: "in no way"

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Step 3. Place your negative adverbial and make the inversion of auxiliary / verb / subject​

In no way can Alice be here​

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following phrase:

You are not allowed to enter here

Under no circumstances ___ ___ allowed to enter here.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following phrase:

Jack didn't believe that you had come.

Not until Jack saw you ___ ___ believe that you had come.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following phrase:

I haven't done anything courageous before.

Never before ___ ___ ___ something courageous before.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following phrase:

I seldom make apple tarts.

Seldom ___ ___ ___ apple tarts.

Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following phrase:

I found out the truth later

Only later ___ ___ ___ the truth