Affirmative, Negative, and Double Negative sentences

Select the sentence that is an affirmative statement.

• My brother doesn't like spinach.

• We are going to the skate park this weekend.

• Haven't you finished your homework yet?

• Nobody answered the phone when I called.

Answer explanation

This is an affirmative sentence because it makes a positive statement without any negative words like 'not', 'never', or 'nobody'. The other sentences all contain a form of negation.

Which word makes the following sentence negative? "My friends have never visited that museum."

• friends

• have

• never

• visited

Answer explanation

The word 'never' is a negative adverb that makes the entire statement negative, meaning the friends have not visited the museum at any time. The other words do not carry a negative meaning.

True or False: A sentence must contain the word "not" to be considered a negative sentence.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A sentence can be made negative with other words besides 'not', such as 'never', 'no', 'nothing', or 'nobody'. For example, 'Nobody is here' is a negative sentence.

Complete the sentence with the correct negative contraction: "The new video game _____ as fun as I thought it would be."

• isn't

• don't

• haven't

• aren't

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'isn't' (is not) because the subject, 'video game,' is singular and requires the verb 'is'. The other options do not agree with the singular subject.

Complete the sentence with the correct negative form: "My dad _____ like it when I leave my shoes by the door."

• isn't

• haven't

• doesn't

• wasn't

Answer explanation

The correct form is 'doesn't' (does not) because it is used to make a present tense verb ('like') negative for a third-person singular subject ('My dad'). The other options are incorrect verb forms for this context.

In the sentence "I can't find my keys nowhere," which two words create a nonstandard double negative?

• can't / find

• find / my

• can't / nowhere

• keys / nowhere

Answer explanation

A double negative occurs when two negative words are used in the same clause. 'Can't' (cannot) and 'nowhere' are both negatives, making the sentence nonstandard.

True or False: The sentence "He barely said nothing to me" is a grammatically correct way to say he was quiet.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The word 'barely' already has a negative meaning, so pairing it with 'nothing' creates a double negative. The correct sentence would be 'He barely said anything to me.'

Which of these sentences is a correctly formed negative question?

• Why you don't want to go?

• You not are coming with us?

• Aren't you joining the basketball team?

• Does not she have her textbook?

Answer explanation

Correct negative questions are formed by placing the contracted negative auxiliary verb (like 'Aren't') before the subject ('you'). The other options have incorrect word order.

Choose the best way to change this affirmative sentence into a negative one: "She finished her science project."

• She not finished her science project.

• She didn't finish her science project.

• She no finished her science project.

• She haven't finished her science project.

Answer explanation

To make a simple past tense sentence negative, use the auxiliary verb 'did not' (or 'didn't') followed by the base form of the main verb ('finish'). The other options are grammatically incorrect.

To fix the double negative, which word best completes the sentence? "I don't need _____ help with this assignment."

• no

• none

• any

• never

Answer explanation

To avoid a double negative, use 'any' after a negative word like 'don't'. Using 'no' would create the double negative 'don't need no help.'