Blog about English
Forming affirmative, interrogative and negative sentences.
Practice: build the sentences →English clauses can be organized as affirmative statements, questions, or negative sentences according to their communicative function and grammatical structure.
The same basic proposition can often be expressed as a statement, question, or negative statement by changing auxiliaries, word order, or negative marking.
She works here.
Она работает здесь.
Affirmative statement with subject-verb order in "She works here".
Does she work here?
Она работает здесь?
Question formed with do-support and inversion in "Does she work here?".
She does not work here.
Она здесь не работает.
Negative statement formed with do-support and "not" in "She does not work here".
They have finished.
Они закончили.
Affirmative statement with the auxiliary "have" in "They have finished".
Have they finished?
Они закончили?
Question formed by inversion of "have" and the subject in "Have they finished?".
They have not finished.
Они не закончили.
Negative statement with "not" after the auxiliary in "They have not finished".
He can swim.
Он умеет плавать.
Affirmative statement with the modal "can" in "He can swim".
He cannot swim.
Он не умеет плавать.
Negative statement with "not" after the modal in "He cannot swim".
Affirmative statements present information without grammatical negation.
For example, She works here, They have finished, and He can swim.
She works here.
Она работает здесь.
Affirmative statement with no grammatical negation in "She works here".
They have finished.
Они закончили.
Affirmative statement with the auxiliary "have" in "They have finished".
He can swim.
Он умеет плавать.
Affirmative statement with the modal "can" in "He can swim".
She is ready.
Она готова.
Affirmative statement with the verb "be" in "She is ready".
They are playing outside.
Они играют на улице.
Affirmative statement in the progressive in "They are playing outside".
We visited the museum yesterday.
Мы посетили музей вчера.
Affirmative statement in the past simple in "We visited the museum yesterday".
She has been working all day.
Она работала весь день.
Affirmative statement in the present perfect progressive in "She has been working all day".
They will arrive tomorrow.
Они прибудут завтра.
Affirmative statement with the modal "will" in "They will arrive tomorrow".
Negative statements normally use not with an auxiliary or modal verb.
For example, She is not ready, They have not finished, and He cannot swim.
She is not ready.
Она не готова.
Negative statement with "not" after the verb "is" in "She is not ready".
They have not finished.
Они не закончили.
Negative statement with "not" after the auxiliary "have" in "They have not finished".
He cannot swim.
Он не умеет плавать.
Negative statement with "not" after the modal in "He cannot swim".
She is not working today.
Она сегодня не работает.
Negative statement in the progressive with "not" after "is" in "She is not working today".
We will not forget.
Мы не забудем.
Negative statement with "not" after the modal "will" in "We will not forget".
They are not coming.
Они не придут.
Negative statement with "not" after the verb "are" in "They are not coming".
She has not called yet.
Она ещё не звонила.
Negative statement with "not" after the auxiliary "has" in "She has not called yet".
He should not worry.
Ему не следует волноваться.
Negative statement with "not" after the modal "should" in "He should not worry".
When there is no other auxiliary, English uses do, does, or did to form ordinary negative clauses.
For example, I do not know, She does not work here, and They did not leave.
I do not know.
Я не знаю.
Do-support with "do" in the present simple in "I do not know".
She does not work here.
Она здесь не работает.
Do-support with "does" in the present simple in "She does not work here".
They did not leave.
Они не ушли.
Do-support with "did" in the past simple in "They did not leave".
He does not understand.
Он не понимает.
Do-support with "does" in the present simple in "He does not understand".
We did not see him.
Мы его не видели.
Do-support with "did" in the past simple in "We did not see him".
She does not like coffee.
Она не любит кофе.
Do-support with "does" in the present simple in "She does not like coffee".
They did not finish the project.
Они не закончили проект.
Do-support with "did" in the past simple in "They did not finish the project".
I do not want to go.
Я не хочу идти.
Do-support with "do" in the present simple in "I do not want to go".
When there is no other auxiliary, English uses do, does, or did to form ordinary questions.
For example, Do you know? Does she work here? and Did they leave?
Do you know?
Ты знаешь?
Do-support with "do" in the present simple question "Do you know?".
Does she work here?
Она работает здесь?
Do-support with "does" in the present simple question "Does she work here?".
Did they leave?
Они ушли?
Do-support with "did" in the past simple question "Did they leave?".
Does he understand?
Он понимает?
Do-support with "does" in the present simple question "Does he understand?".
Did you see him?
Ты его видел?
Do-support with "did" in the past simple question "Did you see him?".
Does she like coffee?
Она любит кофе?
Do-support with "does" in the present simple question "Does she like coffee?".
Did they finish the project?
Они закончили проект?
Do-support with "did" in the past simple question "Did they finish the project?".
Do you want to go?
Ты хочешь идти?
Do-support with "do" in the present simple question "Do you want to go?".
Be forms questions by inversion with the subject and does not require do-support.
For example, Are you ready? Was she late? and Have they been here? Here have is auxiliary, while be is part of the progressive in the last example.
Are you ready?
Ты готов?
The verb "be" forms the question by inversion in "Are you ready?".
Was she late?
Она опоздала?
The verb "be" forms the question by inversion in "Was she late?".
Is he a doctor?
Он врач?
The verb "be" forms the question by inversion in "Is he a doctor?".
Are they playing outside?
Они играют на улице?
The auxiliary "be" forms the question by inversion in "Are they playing outside?".
Was it raining?
Шёл дождь?
The auxiliary "be" forms the question by inversion in "Was it raining?".
Have they been here?
Они были здесь?
The auxiliary "have" forms the question by inversion in "Have they been here?".
Is she working now?
Она сейчас работает?
The auxiliary "be" forms the question by inversion in "Is she working now?".
Were you at home?
Ты был дома?
The verb "be" forms the question by inversion in "Were you at home?".
Modal verbs form questions by moving the modal before the subject.
For example, Can you help? Should we leave? and Would they agree?
Can you help?
Ты можешь помочь?
The modal "can" moves before the subject in "Can you help?".
Should we leave?
Нам следует уйти?
The modal "should" moves before the subject in "Should we leave?".
Would they agree?
Они согласились бы?
The modal "would" moves before the subject in "Would they agree?".
Will she come?
Она придёт?
The modal "will" moves before the subject in "Will she come?".
Could you repeat that?
Не могли бы вы повторить это?
The modal "could" moves before the subject in "Could you repeat that?".
Must I stay?
Я должен остаться?
The modal "must" moves before the subject in "Must I stay?".
May I come in?
Можно войти?
The modal "may" moves before the subject in "May I come in?".
Should they have called?
Им следовало позвонить?
The modal "should" moves before the subject in "Should they have called?".
Yes/no questions ask whether a proposition is true and commonly use auxiliary-subject inversion.
For example, Are you ready? Have they arrived? and Do you understand?
Are you ready?
Ты готов?
Yes/no question with inversion in "Are you ready?".
Have they arrived?
Они прибыли?
Yes/no question with inversion in "Have they arrived?".
Do you understand?
Ты понимаешь?
Yes/no question with do-support in "Do you understand?".
Did she call?
Она звонила?
Yes/no question with do-support in "Did she call?".
Can he swim?
Он умеет плавать?
Yes/no question with modal inversion in "Can he swim?".
Is she working?
Она работает?
Yes/no question with auxiliary inversion in "Is she working?".
Will they come?
Они придут?
Yes/no question with modal inversion in "Will they come?".
Does she like coffee?
Она любит кофе?
Yes/no question with do-support in "Does she like coffee?".
Wh-questions begin with question words such as who, what, where, when, why, or how and normally use question word order.
For example, Where do you live? and Why did she leave?
Where do you live?
Где ты живёшь?
Wh-question with "Where" followed by do-support in "Where do you live?".
Why did she leave?
Почему она ушла?
Wh-question with "Why" followed by do-support in "Why did she leave?".
What are you doing?
Что ты делаешь?
Wh-question with "What" followed by inversion in "What are you doing?".
When will they arrive?
Когда они прибудут?
Wh-question with "When" followed by modal inversion in "When will they arrive?".
How did he do that?
Как он это сделал?
Wh-question with "How" followed by do-support in "How did he do that?".
Who is calling?
Кто звонит?
Wh-question with "Who" followed by inversion in "Who is calling?".
Which book did you buy?
Какую книгу ты купил?
Wh-question with "Which book" followed by do-support in "Which book did you buy?".
Whose car is that?
Чья это машина?
Wh-question with "Whose car" followed by inversion in "Whose car is that?".
When the question word itself is the subject, auxiliary inversion normally does not occur.
For example, Who called you? and What happened?
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
The question word "Who" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "Who called you?".
What happened?
Что случилось?
The question word "What" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "What happened?".
Who knows the answer?
Кто знает ответ?
The question word "Who" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "Who knows the answer?".
Which team won?
Какая команда победила?
The question word "Which" is part of the subject "Which team", so no inversion occurs.
Who left the door open?
Кто оставил дверь открытой?
The question word "Who" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "Who left the door open?".
What caused the accident?
Что вызвало аварию?
The question word "What" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "What caused the accident?".
Who wants to go first?
Кто хочет пойти первым?
The question word "Who" is the subject, so no inversion occurs in "Who wants to go first?".
Which student answered correctly?
Какой студент ответил правильно?
The question word "Which" is part of the subject "Which student", so no inversion occurs.
When the question word is the object, normal auxiliary inversion generally occurs.
For example, Who did you call? and What did she buy?
Who did you call?
Кому ты звонил?
The question word "Who" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "Who did you call?".
What did she buy?
Что она купила?
The question word "What" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "What did she buy?".
Which book did you read?
Какую книгу ты прочитал?
The question word "Which" is part of the object "Which book", so inversion occurs with "did".
Who did they invite?
Кого они пригласили?
The question word "Who" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "Who did they invite?".
What did he say?
Что он сказал?
The question word "What" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "What did he say?".
Whom did you meet?
Кого ты встретил?
The question word "Whom" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "Whom did you meet?".
What did they discuss?
Что они обсуждали?
The question word "What" is the object, so inversion occurs with "did" in "What did they discuss?".
Which film did she watch?
Какой фильм она смотрела?
The question word "Which" is part of the object "Which film", so inversion occurs with "did".
Negative questions combine question structure with grammatical negation and can express expectation, surprise, confirmation, or disagreement.
For example, Aren’t you coming? Didn’t she call? and Why haven’t they arrived?
Aren't you coming?
Разве ты не идёшь?
Negative question with contraction "Aren't" in "Aren't you coming?".
Didn't she call?
Разве она не звонила?
Negative question with contraction "Didn't" in "Didn't she call?".
Why haven't they arrived?
Почему они не прибыли?
Negative wh-question with "haven't" in "Why haven't they arrived?".
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
Negative question with contraction "Isn't" in "Isn't she ready?".
Can't you help?
Разве ты не можешь помочь?
Negative question with contraction "Can't" in "Can't you help?".
Won't they come?
Разве они не придут?
Negative question with contraction "Won't" in "Won't they come?".
Hasn't he finished?
Разве он не закончил?
Negative question with contraction "Hasn't" in "Hasn't he finished?".
Don't you understand?
Разве ты не понимаешь?
Negative question with contraction "Don't" in "Don't you understand?".
Be takes not directly in negative clauses and negative questions.
For example, She is not ready and Isn’t she ready?
She is not ready.
Она не готова.
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in "She is not ready".
Isn't she ready?
Разве она не готова?
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in the negative question "Isn't she ready?".
They are not coming.
Они не придут.
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in "They are not coming".
He was not late.
Он не опоздал.
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in "He was not late".
We are not ready.
Мы не готовы.
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in "We are not ready".
It is not raining.
Дождь не идёт.
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in "It is not raining".
Wasn't he at home?
Разве его не было дома?
The verb "be" takes "not" directly in the negative question "Wasn't he at home?".
She is not working today.
Она сегодня не работает.
The auxiliary "be" takes "not" directly in "She is not working today".
Modal verbs take not directly to form negative clauses.
For example, You cannot stay, He should not worry, and They might not come.
You cannot stay.
Ты не можешь остаться.
The modal "cannot" takes "not" directly in "You cannot stay".
He should not worry.
Ему не следует волноваться.
The modal "should" takes "not" directly in "He should not worry".
They might not come.
Они, возможно, не придут.
The modal "might" takes "not" directly in "They might not come".
She will not forget.
Она не забудет.
The modal "will" takes "not" directly in "She will not forget".
We must not be late.
Мы не должны опаздывать.
The modal "must" takes "not" directly in "We must not be late".
You shouldn't smoke here.
Тебе не следует курить здесь.
The modal "shouldn't" takes "not" directly in "You shouldn't smoke here".
I can't understand this.
Я не могу этого понять.
The modal "can't" takes "not" directly in "I can't understand this".
They won't agree.
Они не согласятся.
The modal "won't" takes "not" directly in "They won't agree".
The auxiliary have takes not directly in perfect constructions.
For example, She has not finished and They had not arrived.
She has not finished.
Она не закончила.
The perfect auxiliary "has" takes "not" directly in "She has not finished".
They had not arrived.
Они не прибыли.
The perfect auxiliary "had" takes "not" directly in "They had not arrived".
I have not seen him.
Я его не видел.
The perfect auxiliary "have" takes "not" directly in "I have not seen him".
She hasn't called yet.
Она ещё не звонила.
The perfect auxiliary "hasn't" takes "not" directly in "She hasn't called yet".
We had not met before.
Мы не встречались раньше.
The perfect auxiliary "had" takes "not" directly in "We had not met before".
He has not been working.
Он не работал.
The perfect auxiliary "has" takes "not" directly in "He has not been working".
They haven't finished yet.
Они ещё не закончили.
The perfect auxiliary "haven't" takes "not" directly in "They haven't finished yet".
She had not expected that.
Она не ожидала этого.
The perfect auxiliary "had" takes "not" directly in "She had not expected that".
The auxiliary be takes not directly in progressive constructions.
For example, She is not working and They were not waiting.
She is not working.
Она не работает.
The progressive auxiliary "is" takes "not" directly in "She is not working".
They were not waiting.
Они не ждали.
The progressive auxiliary "were" takes "not" directly in "They were not waiting".
I am not listening.
Я не слушаю.
The progressive auxiliary "am" takes "not" directly in "I am not listening".
He isn't sleeping.
Он не спит.
The progressive auxiliary "isn't" takes "not" directly in "He isn't sleeping".
We weren't talking.
Мы не разговаривали.
The progressive auxiliary "weren't" takes "not" directly in "We weren't talking".
She is not studying now.
Она сейчас не учится.
The progressive auxiliary "is" takes "not" directly in "She is not studying now".
They aren't playing outside.
Они не играют на улице.
The progressive auxiliary "aren't" takes "not" directly in "They aren't playing outside".
It was not raining.
Дождь не шёл.
The progressive auxiliary "was" takes "not" directly in "It was not raining".
When a clause contains several auxiliaries, not normally follows the first auxiliary.
For example, She has not been working and They will not have finished by then.
She has not been working.
Она не работала.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "has" in "She has not been working".
They will not have finished by then.
Они не закончат к тому времени.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "will" in "They will not have finished by then".
He has not been informed.
Он не был проинформирован.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "has" in "He has not been informed".
We should not have left early.
Нам не следовало уходить рано.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "should" in "We should not have left early".
She could not have known.
Она не могла знать.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "could" in "She could not have known".
They might not be coming.
Они, возможно, не придут.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "might" in "They might not be coming".
She will not be working tomorrow.
Она не будет работать завтра.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "will" in "She will not be working tomorrow".
He has not been waiting long.
Он недолго ждал.
"Not" follows the first auxiliary "has" in "He has not been waiting long".
In questions with several auxiliaries, the first auxiliary normally moves before the subject.
For example, Has she been working? Will they have finished by then?
Has she been working?
Она работала?
The first auxiliary "Has" moves before the subject in "Has she been working?".
Will they have finished by then?
Они закончат к тому времени?
The first auxiliary "Will" moves before the subject in "Will they have finished by then?".
Has he been informed?
Он был проинформирован?
The first auxiliary "Has" moves before the subject in "Has he been informed?".
Should we have left early?
Нам следовало уйти рано?
The first auxiliary "Should" moves before the subject in "Should we have left early?".
Could she have known?
Могла ли она знать?
The first auxiliary "Could" moves before the subject in "Could she have known?".
Might they be coming?
Могут ли они прийти?
The first auxiliary "Might" moves before the subject in "Might they be coming?".
Will she be working tomorrow?
Она будет работать завтра?
The first auxiliary "Will" moves before the subject in "Will she be working tomorrow?".
Has he been waiting long?
Он долго ждал?
The first auxiliary "Has" moves before the subject in "Has he been waiting long?".
English commonly uses short answers with an auxiliary or modal rather than repeating the entire clause.
For example, Are you ready? Yes, I am. Did she leave? No, she didn’t.
Are you ready? Yes, I am.
Ты готов? Да.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "am" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Did she leave? No, she didn't.
Она ушла? Нет.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "didn't" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Have they arrived? Yes, they have.
Они прибыли? Да.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "have" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Can he swim? Yes, he can.
Он умеет плавать? Да.
The short answer uses the modal "can" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Is she working? No, she isn't.
Она работает? Нет.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "isn't" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Will they come? Yes, they will.
Они придут? Да.
The short answer uses the modal "will" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Does she like coffee? Yes, she does.
Она любит кофе? Да.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "does" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Were you at home? No, I wasn't.
Ты был дома? Нет.
The short answer uses the auxiliary "wasn't" instead of repeating the whole clause.
Negative short answers normally contain the appropriate auxiliary or modal plus not.
For example, No, I am not. No, she doesn’t. No, they haven’t.
Are you ready? No, I am not.
Ты готов? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "am" plus "not".
Did she leave? No, she doesn't.
Она ушла? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "doesn't".
Have they arrived? No, they haven't.
Они прибыли? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "haven't".
Can he swim? No, he can't.
Он умеет плавать? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the modal "can't".
Is she working? No, she isn't.
Она работает? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "isn't".
Will they come? No, they won't.
Они придут? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the modal "won't".
Does she like coffee? No, she doesn't.
Она любит кофе? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "doesn't".
Were you at home? No, I wasn't.
Ты был дома? Нет.
The short negative answer uses the auxiliary "wasn't".
Do, does, or did can be used in affirmative statements for emphasis or contrast.
For example, I do understand and She did call me.
I do understand.
Я действительно понимаю.
The emphatic "do" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "I do understand".
She did call me.
Она действительно мне звонила.
The emphatic "did" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "She did call me".
He does work hard.
Он действительно усердно работает.
The emphatic "does" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "He does work hard".
They do want to help.
Они действительно хотят помочь.
The emphatic "do" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "They do want to help".
I did finish my homework.
Я действительно закончил домашнюю работу.
The emphatic "did" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "I did finish my homework".
She does like him.
Он ей действительно нравится.
The emphatic "does" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "She does like him".
We do appreciate your help.
Мы действительно ценим вашу помощь.
The emphatic "do" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "We do appreciate your help".
He did apologize.
Он действительно извинился.
The emphatic "did" emphasizes the affirmative statement in "He did apologize".
Emphatic do can be used to contradict an assumption or negative claim.
For example, I do want to help means that the speaker strongly confirms the proposition.
I do want to help.
Я действительно хочу помочь.
The emphatic "do" contradicts an assumption in "I do want to help".
She does care about you.
Ей действительно небезразличен ты.
The emphatic "does" contradicts an assumption in "She does care about you".
They did arrive on time.
Они действительно прибыли вовремя.
The emphatic "did" contradicts a negative claim in "They did arrive on time".
He does know the answer.
Он действительно знает ответ.
The emphatic "does" contradicts an assumption in "He does know the answer".
I did call you yesterday.
Я действительно звонил тебе вчера.
The emphatic "did" contradicts a negative claim in "I did call you yesterday".
She does understand the problem.
Она действительно понимает проблему.
The emphatic "does" contradicts an assumption in "She does understand the problem".
We do have time.
У нас действительно есть время.
The emphatic "do" contradicts a negative claim in "We do have time".
He did finish the project.
Он действительно закончил проект.
The emphatic "did" contradicts a negative claim in "He did finish the project".
In many questions, especially conversational ones, a preposition can appear at the end of the question.
For example, Who are you talking to? and What are you looking at?
Who are you talking to?
С кем ты разговариваешь?
The preposition "to" appears at the end of the question in "Who are you talking to?".
What are you looking at?
На что ты смотришь?
The preposition "at" appears at the end of the question in "What are you looking at?".
Where are you from?
Откуда ты?
The preposition "from" appears at the end of the question in "Where are you from?".
Who did you speak to?
С кем ты говорил?
The preposition "to" appears at the end of the question in "Who did you speak to?".
What are you waiting for?
Чего ты ждёшь?
The preposition "for" appears at the end of the question in "What are you waiting for?".
Who is she working with?
С кем она работает?
The preposition "with" appears at the end of the question in "Who is she working with?".
What are you thinking about?
О чём ты думаешь?
The preposition "about" appears at the end of the question in "What are you thinking about?".
Who did they go out with?
С кем они гуляли?
The preposition "with" appears at the end of the question in "Who did they go out with?".
In formal English, a preposition can precede the question word.
For example, To whom are you speaking? and For what purpose was the document created?
To whom are you speaking?
С кем вы говорите?
The preposition "To" precedes the question word "whom" in formal English.
For what purpose was the document created?
С какой целью был создан документ?
The preposition "For" precedes the question phrase "what purpose" in formal English.
With whom did she work?
С кем она работала?
The preposition "With" precedes the question word "whom" in formal English.
On what basis was the decision made?
На каком основании было принято решение?
The preposition "On" precedes the question phrase "what basis" in formal English.
From which city did they come?
Из какого города они приехали?
The preposition "From" precedes the question phrase "which city" in formal English.
To whom was the letter addressed?
Кому было адресовано письмо?
The preposition "To" precedes the question word "whom" in formal English.
Under what conditions would they agree?
При каких условиях они согласились бы?
The preposition "Under" precedes the question phrase "what conditions" in formal English.
By whom was the book written?
Кем была написана книга?
The preposition "By" precedes the question word "whom" in formal English.
Indirect questions normally use statement word order inside the embedded question.
For example, Do you know where she lives? not Do you know where does she live?
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
The indirect question "where she lives" uses statement word order.
Can you tell me what time it is?
Можешь сказать мне, который час?
The indirect question "what time it is" uses statement word order.
I wonder if she is coming.
Интересно, придёт ли она.
The indirect question "if she is coming" uses statement word order.
Do you know why he left?
Ты знаешь, почему он ушёл?
The indirect question "why he left" uses statement word order.
Could you tell me where the station is?
Не могли бы вы сказать мне, где находится вокзал?
The indirect question "where the station is" uses statement word order.
I don't know whether they have arrived.
Я не знаю, прибыли ли они.
The indirect question "whether they have arrived" uses statement word order.
She asked me what I wanted.
Она спросила меня, чего я хочу.
The indirect question "what I wanted" uses statement word order.
Do you know how long it takes?
Ты знаешь, сколько это занимает времени?
The indirect question "how long it takes" uses statement word order.
Some words such as hardly, rarely, scarcely, and seldom have negative meaning even though the verb is formally affirmative.
For example, She hardly ever complains means that she almost never complains.
She hardly ever complains.
Она почти никогда не жалуется.
The word "hardly" has negative meaning in "She hardly ever complains".
He rarely visits us.
Он редко навещает нас.
The word "rarely" has negative meaning in "He rarely visits us".
They scarcely had time to eat.
У них едва было время поесть.
The word "scarcely" has negative meaning in "They scarcely had time to eat".
She seldom goes to the cinema.
Она редко ходит в кино.
The word "seldom" has negative meaning in "She seldom goes to the cinema".
He hardly knows her.
Он едва её знает.
The word "hardly" has negative meaning in "He hardly knows her".
They rarely agree with each other.
Они редко соглашаются друг с другом.
The word "rarely" has negative meaning in "They rarely agree with each other".
She scarcely spoke during the meeting.
Она едва говорила во время собрания.
The word "scarcely" has negative meaning in "She scarcely spoke during the meeting".
He seldom makes mistakes.
Он редко делает ошибки.
The word "seldom" has negative meaning in "He seldom makes mistakes".
Standard English generally avoids multiple negative elements when they are intended to express a single negative meaning, except in varieties where negative concord is grammatical.
In standard formal English, use I do not know anything rather than I do not know nothing.
I do not know anything.
Я ничего не знаю.
Standard English uses "anything" after "not" in "I do not know anything".
She did not see anyone.
Она никого не видела.
Standard English uses "anyone" after "not" in "She did not see anyone".
They do not have any money.
У них нет денег.
Standard English uses "any" after "not" in "They do not have any money".
He does not ever complain.
Он никогда не жалуется.
Standard English uses "ever" after "not" in "He does not ever complain".
We did not go anywhere.
Мы никуда не ходили.
Standard English uses "anywhere" after "not" in "We did not go anywhere".
She has not said anything.
Она ничего не сказала.
Standard English uses "anything" after "not" in "She has not said anything".
I have not seen anyone.
Я никого не видел.
Standard English uses "anyone" after "not" in "I have not seen anyone".
They will not tell anybody.
Они никому не скажут.
Standard English uses "anybody" after "not" in "They will not tell anybody".
Negative or restrictive expressions at the beginning of a sentence can trigger inversion in formal or emphatic constructions.
For example, Never have I seen such a thing. This is an advanced connection to emphasis and inversion.
Never have I seen such a thing.
Никогда я не видел такого.
The negative word "Never" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Never have I seen such a thing".
Rarely does she complain.
Она редко жалуется.
The negative word "Rarely" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Rarely does she complain".
Seldom have they been so happy.
Они редко были так счастливы.
The negative word "Seldom" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Seldom have they been so happy".
Hardly had I arrived when the phone rang.
Едва я прибыл, как зазвонил телефон.
The negative word "Hardly" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Hardly had I arrived when the phone rang".
No sooner had she left than it started raining.
Как только она ушла, начался дождь.
The negative phrase "No sooner" at the beginning triggers inversion in "No sooner had she left than it started raining".
Not only did he arrive late, but he also forgot the documents.
Он не только опоздал, но и забыл документы.
The negative phrase "Not only" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Not only did he arrive late, but he also forgot the documents".
Under no circumstances should you open the door.
Ни при каких обстоятельствах вы не должны открывать дверь.
The negative phrase "Under no circumstances" at the beginning triggers inversion in "Under no circumstances should you open the door".
At no time did she lose her composure.
Ни в какой момент она не потеряла самообладания.
The negative phrase "At no time" at the beginning triggers inversion in "At no time did she lose her composure".
Use the correct auxiliary, word order, and negative marker according to the tense and sentence type.
Common mistakes include omitting do-support, using do with be or modal verbs, retaining statement word order in direct questions, using incorrect short answers, and creating unintended double negatives.
Does she work here?
Она работает здесь?
Correct: do-support is used in the question "Does she work here?".
She is not ready.
Она не готова.
Correct: "not" is used directly with "be" in "She is not ready".
Can you help?
Ты можешь помочь?
Correct: the modal "Can" comes before the subject in "Can you help?".
Are you ready? Yes, I am.
Ты готов? Да.
Correct: the short answer uses the auxiliary "am".
I do not know anything.
Я ничего не знаю.
Correct: standard English avoids double negatives with "anything" after "not".
Who called you?
Кто тебе звонил?
Correct: no inversion occurs when the question word is the subject in "Who called you?".
Do you know where she lives?
Ты знаешь, где она живёт?
Correct: the indirect question "where she lives" uses statement word order.
She has not finished.
Она не закончила.
Correct: "not" follows the auxiliary "has" in "She has not finished".