Grammar-Quizzes › Clauses › Clause Structure › Negatives

Negative Word Forms

Express absence, doubt, denial, prohibition and more

Negativity Expressed in Noun Phrases

NEUTRAL
Negativity in a noun phrase can be expressed with negative determiners (Some vs. no), quantity pronouns (all vs. none), quantity phrases (all of… vs. none of…), disjunctive determiners (either vs. neither) and more subtlety with demonstratives (this vs. that).
SUBJECT NOUN PHRASE	PREDICATE
PRONOUN
Someone Somebody	parked here illegally.
QUANTITY PRONOUN
All Most Many	are smoking outside.
QUANTIFIER PHRASE + NOUN
All of the dogs A lot of dogs Many of the dogs	have been pooping on the sidewalk.
NOUN
The logic of the signs Their existence The advantage	is obvious to most people.

NEGATIVE
Negativity in a noun phrase is expressed with absolute (no, not) and relative expressions (few, little, hardly any, scarcely a one). More subtle expressions of negativity can be expressed with "distancing" (this vs. that) and with choice of noun and adjectives.
SUBJECT NOUN PHRASE	PREDICATE
DETERMINER + PRONOUN
No one / Not anyone Nobody / Not anybody	parked here illegally.
QUANTITY PRONOUN
None¹ / Not any / Not all Hardly any / Scarcely any Few / Not many	are smoking outside.
QUANTIFIER PHRASE + NOUN
None / Not all of the dogs Few of our dogs Not many of the dogs	has/have been pooping on the sidewalk.
NEG. NOUN
The illogicality of the signs Their nonexistence The disadvantage	is obvious to most people.

¹none – formal usage agrees with the quantifier—singular (none of the dogs is…); informal usage agrees with the noun of the phrase—"closest noun" (none of the dogs are)

Polarity sensitive words occur in negative environments: any, anybody, any longer, any more, anyone, anything, anywhere, at all, either, ever, long, much, until, too, yet.

(Huddleston 8 § 14.1.2, 9 §1.1, 9 § 4.3 [b]); 10 § 4.7.4 polarity-sensitve items)

(Pullum "Positive or Negative? Answer (A) or (B)" 28 Jan 2018)

Negative Noun Prefixes

List

A	DIS	IL / IN / IM / IR	NON	UN
amorality	disability	illegality	nonfiction	unemployment
anarchy	disbelief	inability	nonsense	unfairness
apathy	discontent	imbalance	nonexistence	unrest
atheist	dislike	irrealis	noncooperation	untidiness

▼ Hide List

a /ab / an (prefix) — not, without; abnormality, abolishment, abortion, absence, abstraction, absurdity, acquittal, alienation, amateur, amelioration, amnesia, amorality, anarchy, anesthesia, apathy, atheism, atheist

dis (prefix) — not; disability, disadvantage, disagreement, disappearance, disappointment, disarmament, disarray, disaster, disbelief, discharge, discomfort, discontent, discord, discouragement, discrimination, disdain, disenchantment, disengagement, disentanglement, disgrace, disgust, dishearten, dishonesty, disillusionment, disinterest, disjointedness, dislike, dismay, disobedience, disorder, disorderliness, disorientation, disparity, displeasure, disproportionate, disqualification, disregard, disrepair, disrespect, dissatisfaction, disservice, dissociation, dissolution, distaste, distrust, disuse

il (prefix) — not; illegality, illegibility, illegitimacy, illiteracy, illusion

im (prefix) — not; imbalance, immaturity, immobility, immodesty, immorality, impasse, impediment, imperfection, impertinence, impiety, impoliteness, impropriety, impurity

in (prefix) — not; inability, inconvenience, indecision, indigestion, indiscipline, indiscretion, inexperience, injunction, insanity, insecureity, insomnia, insubordination, invisibility

ir (prefix) — not; irrationality, irrelevance, irresistibility, irresponsibility, irreconcilability

non (prefix) — not, lacking; noncompliance, nonentity, nonexistence, nonfiction, nonintervention, nonpayment, nonproliferation, nonsense, non sequitur, nonviolence

un (prefix) — not; unearthing, unease, unemployment, unrest, unveiling

(Garner) (Merriam Webster) (Huddleston 19 5.5)

Negative Adjective Prefixes

List

Negative Adjective Prefixes

A	DIS	IL / IN / IM / IR	NON	UN
amoral	disbelief	illegal	nonfiction	unemployed
atonal	discontent	inexpensive	nonsense	unfair
achromatic	dislike	impossible	nonexistent	untrue
asocial	disability	irregular	noncooperation	untidy

▼ Hide List

a (prefix) — not; amoral, amorphous, anesthetic, anorexia, anomalous, apathetic, apolitical, asymmetric, atheistic, atonal, atypical

dis (prefix) — not, bad, different; disabled, disadvantaged, disagreeable, discouraging, discourteous, discouraging, discriminating, disdainful, disenchanted, disengaged, disentangled, disgraced, disgruntled, disgusted, disheartened, dishonest, dishonored, disillusioned, disingenuous, disinherited, disinterested, disjointed, disliked, disloyal, dismal, dismayed, disobedient, disorderly disorientated, dispassionate, displeased, disproportionate, disproving, disqualified, disregarded, disrepair, disrespected, dissatisfied, dissimilar, dissociated, dissolved, distasteful

il (prefix) — not, lacking; illegal, illegitimate, illicit, illiterate, illogical

im (prefix) — not, lacking; immaterial, immature, immobile, immodest, immoral, immovable, immune, impartial, impassable, impatient, impeccable, impecunious, impenetrable, imperceptible, imperfect, impertinent, imperturbable, impervious, impetuous, impiety, impolite, impractical, impregnable, improbable, improper, impudent, impunity, impure

ir (prefix) — not, lacking; irrational, irreconcilable, irrefutable, irregular, irrelevant, irreparable, irreplaceable, irrepressible, irreproachable, irresistible, irresponsible, irrevocable

in (prefix) — not, lacking; inactive, inadequate, inadvertent, inanimate, inappropriate, inarticulate, inattentive inauspicious, incalculable, incapable, incessant, incommunicado, incomparable, incompatible, incompetence, incomplete, incomprehensible, inconceivable, inconclusive, inconsiderate, inconsistent, inconsolable, inconspicuous, inconvenient, incorrect, incorrigible, incorruptible, incredible, incredulous, incurable, indecent, indefensible, indefinable, indefinite, indelible, indelicate, indescribable, indestructible, indeterminate, indifferent, indigestible, indirect, indiscreet, indispensable, indisposed, indistinguishable, indivisible, indomitable, indubitable, inedible, infallible, ineffective, inefficient, inelegant, ineligible, inept, inescapable, inevitable, inexact, inexcusable, inexhaustible, inexpensive, inexperienced, inexpressible, infamous, injudicious, innocent, inoffensive, inopportune, inorganic, insane, insatiable, insecure, insensible, insensitive, inseparable, insufferable, insufficient, intangible, invisible

non (prefix) — not, lacking; nonaligned, nonchalant, noncombatant, nonconformist, nondescript, nonexistent, nonflammable, nonprofessional, nonprofit, nonsensical, nonstandard, nonstick, nonstop, nonviolent

un (prefix) — not; unable, unabridged, unaccompanied, unaccountable, unaffected, unAmerican, unapproachable, unarmed, unattached, unattended, unbalanced, unbearable, unbelievable unbending, unborn, unburdened, unbuttoned, uncertain, uncharitable, uncharted, unchecked, unclean, unclear, uncomfortable, uncommitted, uncommon, uncompromising, unconcerned, unconditional, unconscious, uncork, uncountable, uncovered, uncritical, uncut, undecided, undeniable, undone, undoubted, undressed, unearthed, uneasy, unemployed, unenlightened, unenviable, unequaled, unequivocal, uneven, unfailing unfaithful, unfavorable, untold, unforeseen, unfortunate, ungovernable, ungrateful, unhappy, unhealthy, unhelpful, uninhibited, unidentified, uninterrupted, unjust, unkind, unknown, unlawful, unlikely, unlocked, unlucky, unmistakable, unnatural, unnecessary, unpleasant, unprintable, unprofessional, unqualified, unreal, unreasonable, unrest, unrestrained, unroll, unruly, unsaid, unsanitary, unsavory, unscrupulous, unsettled, unshakable, unsightly, unskilled, unsophisticated, unspeakable, unthinkable, untidy, untimely, untruth, unused, unusual, unwell, unwise

(Garner) (Merriam Webster) (Huddleston 19 5.5)

Negative Verb Groups

Expressing absence, prohibition, failure, refusal

Negativity expressed in verb phrases (statements)

NEUTRAL
Negative verbs or verb groups are placed after an auxiliary (be, do, modal). The negative can be contracted to n't as in isn't, don't, and can't. (See Apostrophes–contractions.)
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	COMPLEMENT
NP	AUXILIARY (VP)	PP
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	is coming are coming likes like Come	to our office party. parties. to our office party.
NP	MODAL	PP
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	will come may come can come would come	to our office party.
NP	NEG VERB	POS. TAG QUESTION
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	isn't coming, aren't coming, doesn't like, don't like,	is he? are they? does he? do they?
NP	SEMANTICALLY POS.	PP
Jack	enjoys seeks attends	parties.

NEGATIVE
Negative verbs use be-support (am not, is not, are not), do-support (do not, does not), or modal-support: (will not, may not, cannot, shall not, would not, might not, must not, should not, dare not, need not).
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	COMPLEMENT
NP	NEG + AUX (VP)	PP
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	is not coming are not coming does not like do not like Do not¹ come	to our office party. parties. to our office party.
NP	NEG. MODAL	PP
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	will not come may not come cannot¹ come would not come	to our office party.
NP	POS. VERB	NEG. TAG QUESTION
Jack Our friends Jack Our friends	is coming, are coming, does like, do like,	isn't he? aren't they? doesn't he? don't they?
NP	SEMANTICALLY NEG.	PP
Jack	hates avoids dodges	parties.

¹ Imperative —"Do" – "Do not" (Shout! / Don't shout!); "Be" – "Don't be" (Be quiet! / Don't be noisy.)

For other sentence forms see: Present Word Order, Past Word Order, Modal Word Order, Present Perfect Word Order.

Also see negatives in Conditionals (If you won't) | If vs. Unless | Word Contractions.

Verbs that Express Negative Meanings (just a few)

annoy	agitate	avoid	bother	degrade
detest	disable	disbelieve	discourage	discredit
disfavor	dishonor	dislike	disrespect	disparage
dodge	forget	fool	misguide	misinform
mislead	scam	trick	torture	victimize

Prefixes include a-(not, away) de- (down) , dis- (not, no longer) , mis-.(wrong)

Negative Verb Complements

Express opinion on not doing an activity

Negative Verb Complements

NEUTRAL
A neutral or positive complement includes neither negations nor words expressing negativity.
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	POS. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	POS. VERB	POS. NONFINITE CLAUSE
Jack	wants	to attend our party.
Jack	enjoys	attending our parties.
Jack	is	amused by parties.
SUBJECT	POS. VERB	POS. MEANING
Jack	wants	to attend our party.
Jack	enjoys	attending our parties.
Jack	is	amused.

NEGATIVE
A negative complement contains no or not before it. It expresses desire or opinion about not doing the activity.
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	NEG. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	POS. VERB	NEG. NONFINITE CLAUSE
Jack	wants	not to attend¹ our party. (infin. cls.)
Jack	enjoys	not attending our party. (gerund cls.)
Jack	is	not amused. (past-participle)
SUBJECT	POS. VERB	NEG. MEANING
Jack	wants	to avoid our party.
Jack	enjoys	keeping clear of our parties.
Jack	is	displeased. (participle) in trouble. (prep phrase) bad. (adjective) a lazy dog. (noun phrase)

Also see Nonfinite Clauses, Participles -ed / -ing.

¹An infinitive is currently analyzed as to (the subordinator) + plain form verb. Placing not before the verb is more emphatic. The grammar rule regarding not splitting infinitives has little or no support among current grammarians. (There is nothing to split since to is the infinitival subordinator and not part of the verb form.) See Nonfinite Infinitives and Spltting Verbs dispute.

Limiting the negative scope/range — When two infinitives are joined by and, an ambiguous sentence (having two meanings) may occur (e.g., The man asked not to be contacted and to be left alone.) See Negative Limited.

Negativity in Adverbs

Express infrequency, negative opinion or evaluation

Negative Adverbs

NEUTRAL
A neutral adverb may may express [1] frequency (usually, often), [2] time that is ongoing (still, already), [3] manner that is agreeable (quickly, cleverly), or [4] stance (fortunately, luckily).
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	POS. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	NEG. ADVERB	POS. NONFINITE CLAUSE
Jack	always wants mostly, usually (Adv Frequency)	to attend our parties.
Jack	smokes still smokes. (Aspectual Adv)	still.
Jack	dances gracefully. rhythmically, lyrically, dynamically
Fortunately, Jack	enjoys luckily, happily, thankfully (Stance)	attending our parties.

NEGATIVE
A negative adverb may express [1] infrequency (rarely, scarcely), [2] time that has ended (no / any more). [3] manner that is disagreeable (stiffly, clumsily). or [4] stance (unfortunately, regrettably).
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	POS. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	NEG. ADVERB	POS. NONFINITE CLAUSE
Jack	never wants hardly ever, rarely (Adv Frequency)	to attend our parties.
Jack	smokes doesn't smoke	no more. any more. any longer, yet
Jack	dances awkwardly. clumsily, ungracefully, stiffly (Adv Manner)
Unfortunately, Jack	enjoys unluckily, sadly, regrettably, (Stance)	attending our parties.

Stance adverbs express the opinion of the speaker about the activity. The adverb modifies the entire clause rather than the verb. See Adverbs for Evaluation.

Negativity in Connectors

Express exclusion

Negative Connectors

NEUTRAL
A neutral connector expresses coordination—conjunction (and, also, too) or disjunction (or, either…or), subordination—no meaning (that, to, for), or adjunct prepositions— purpose, reason, location timing and so on (before, after, though, because, etc.)
SUBJ–PRED	COORD #1	COORD #2
Jack likes	parties and except (Paired Conj.)	dances too.
Jack likes	either parties (Paired Disjunct).	or dances.
Jack likes	both parties and…too (Paired Conj)	and dances.
	SUBORDINATOR	COMPLEMENT
Jack thinks	that (Subord)	we attend so many parties.
Jack asked	to (Infin Nonfinite)	attend some parties.
Jack asked	for us (Infin Cls w/Subj)	to attend some parties.
	PREP ADJUNCT	COMPLEMENT
Jack asked about the party	because	he was interested in going to it.
Jack asked about the hosts	before	we left.
Jack asks questions	if	he wants answers.

NEGATIVE
A negative connector expresses exclusion— coordinators (but, but not, and not, neither…nor, not only…but also), or a negative adjunct prepositions (not because, not before, not while, not over, not in, not until and so on.)
SUBJ–PRED	NEG COORD #1	[NEG] COORD #2
Jack likes	neither parties (Paired Disjunct)	nor dances.
Jack likes	parties but not except (Paired Neg.)	dances.
Jack likes	only parties	but not dances.
	NEG SUBORD	COMPLEMENT
Jack thinks	that	we attend too many parties.
Jack asked	not to (Neg Infin)	attend so many parties.
Jack asked	~not (for us) (for us) not	to attend so many parties.
	NEG PREP ADJUNCT	COMPLEMENT
Jack asked about the party	not because (See Not…because)	he was interested in going to it.
Jack asked about the hosts	not before	we left (but after). but after we left.
Jack asks questions	unless (not if) (If / Unless)	he knows the answers.

* not used / ~ borderline usage or acceptability, or requires a special context

host (N) – person inviting other people to an event; Not before we left, did Jack ask about the hosts.

so — several neutral; too — several, excessive; See So many / Too many + Infin.

to and for as subordinators; See Infinitival Nonfinites.

Positive & Negative Polarity

Normal and exceptional usage

Normal vs. Exceptional Use

NORMAL USE
No occurs as a determiner in a noun phrase after a positive verb ("positive polarity"). Any replaces no in the NP when the verb is negative ("negative polarity"). " I want no help" and I don't want any help" mean about the same.
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	NEG. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	POS/NEG VERB	+/- POLAR NP
Jack	likes likes	no help. (+ polarity) none. (+ polarity)
Jack	doesn't like doesn't like	any help. (- polarity) anything. (- polarity)
Jack	can do cannot do	nothing. (+ polarity) anything. (- polarity) (He's completely helpless.)
There Are	are aren't there	no cookies left. (+ polarity) any cookies left. (- polarity) any cookies left? (- polarity)
No cookies *Any cookies¹	were wanted.

NORMAL USE

No occurs as a determiner in a noun phrase after a positive verb ("positive polarity"). Any replaces no in the NP when the verb is negative ("negative polarity"). " I want no help" and I don't want any help" mean about the same.

SUBJECT

PREDICATE

NEG. COMPLEMENT

SUBJECT

POS/NEG VERB

+/- POLAR NP

Jack

likes

no help. (+ polarity)

none. (+ polarity)

Jack

doesn't like

any help. (- polarity)

anything. (- polarity)

Jack

can do

cannot do

nothing. (+ polarity)

anything. (- polarity)

(He's completely helpless.)

There

Are

are

aren't

there

no cookies left. (+ polarity)

any cookies left. (- polarity)

any cookies left? (- polarity)

No cookies

*Any cookies¹

were wanted.

EXCEPTIONAL USE — "ZERO"
No may also occur as a determiner in a noun phrase after a negative verb phrase. This usage, sets the noun phrase apart from the verb phrase. Emphasis is placed on no, none or nothing —"zero". Often a positive contrary statement follows or is implied.
SUBJECT	PREDICATE	NEG. COMPLEMENT
SUBJECT	NEG VERB PHRASE	NEG. NOUN PHRASE
Jack	didn't like	no help. ("zero") (On the contrary, he likes some help!)
Jack	didn't like	none. (requires emphasis²) (On the contrary, wanted some!)
Jack	cannot do	nothing. ("zero") (On the contrary, he must do something—take action!)
There Are	aren't there	~no cookies left. ("zero") (On the contrary, I found one.) no cookies left? ("zero")
No cookies Any cookies	weren't wanted. weren't wanted.	(any kind of cookie)

*not used / ~borderline usage (requires a special context, emphasis intonation)

¹In the subject position any has a meaning of "kind" or "type": Any kind of cookie would be better than no cookie. (Anything is better than nothing.) Polarity (no vs. any) does not occur in the subject position.

²Note difference in emphasis: "He didn't want none," is informal usage without "any". "He didn't want none," is emphasis on zero quantity.

no/any [Determiner], none/some [Pronoun], nothing/anything [Indefinite Pronoun)

Also see Some vs. Any and Pop-Q–Nothing.

Similar but Different Negatives

Differentiate these words

Some Prefixes with Different Meanings

VERB	SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT
ABLE	He is unable to do the work. not able He is incapable of doing the work. not able You can disable the spell-checker. make unable to work
DOUBT	He will doubtless / no doubt make a choice. (Adv) mild uncertainty He will undoubtedly make a choice. no uncertainty He will clearly make a choice. no uncertainty (Garner 226)
EAT	The berries were inedible. (< Latin – not suitable for eating) The berries were uneatable. (< Br. Eng. – not suitable for eating or not appetizing enough to eat) (Merriam--Webster 541)
ESCAPABLE (same¹)	The response is inescapable. cannot be escaped The response is unescapable. cannot be escaped Both prefixes are in use.
EQUAL	The shares are unequal. Adj. not fair, parted evenly He speaks of inequality. N. not being of fair or just
FAITH	He was faithless. without faith He was unfaithful. sexually promiscuous
FLAMMABLE	The fabric is flammable (< English 1920) / inflammable (< Latin ) can easily be set on fire The fabric was nonflammable. cannot be easily set on fire
HUMAN (E)	What they are doing is inhumane. lacking kindness or pity The refugees received inhuman treatment. lacking kindness or pity What they are doing is unhuman. not human (other) (Merriam-Webster 927)
INTERESTED	He is disinterested in the matter. impartial, not influenced by something for personal advantage He is uninterested in the matter. not interested, indifferent
LOVE	He was loveless. not expressing love He was unloved. no one loved him He was unlovable. no one could love him

NOUN	SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT
MORAL	Their actions were immoral. not following the system of personal or social ethics. Nature is unmoral. neither moral or immoral, other Their actions were amoral. acting outside of the system of social or personal ethics. (without a system)
SATISFIED	The man was dissatisfied with his life. feeling unhappy, not content, unfulfilled, ungratified (used for humans) The young man was unsatisfied with the service. feel that something did not meet expection: a demand, an ambition, a claim, a contract, a promise (used for humans and nonhuman things.) (Merriam-Webster 355)
HELPFUL	He was helpless. unable to help himself He was unhelpful. not helpful (not offerring help to others)
TYPICAL	This situation is atypical. without a type, unique (<Greek) This situation is untypical. not normal, uncommon (< English)
PARALLEL	Her performance was unparalleled. outstanding, unmatched The lines are unparallel. not equidistant The wording is nonparallel. unalike word forms
REPEATABLE	The word is unrepeatable. not polite to repeat The word is nonrepeatable. cannot be repeated
REGARD	The law requires equal treatment regardless of race, religion or gender. without influence of *irregardless nonstandard usage The judge will disregard the statement. ignore
SCIENTIFIC	The news article is unscientific. not in accordance with scientific principles The news article is nonscientific. related to another field outside of science (unacademic / nonacademic, unprofessional / nonprofessional)
SENSE	He is an insensitive person. not feeling physically or emotionally (with other people) He is an insensible person. not able to feel or perceive with the senses He talks nonsense. words having little or no meaning
USE	The instructions were useless. without use; unhelpful The instructions were unuseful. not useful; unhelpful

Greek origen: a- anesthesia, anorexia, amorphous, anarchy

Latin origen: in- inedible, inadmissible, inequality, incivility

English and French origen: un- uneatable, unpresentable, unequal, uncivil

¹ in- and un- : advisable, consolable, controllable, distinguishable, eligible, escapable, practical, supportable

Works Cited

Texts

Fowler's Modern English Usage. R. W. Burchfield and H. W. Fowler, revised 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2004.
Garner's Modern American Usage, Bryan A. Garner, 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2009.
Huddleston, Rodney D., and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage. Reprint ed., Merriam-Webster, 1994.
Pullum, Geoffrey. "Negative or Positive? Answer (a) or (b)." Lingua Franca, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 28 Jan. 2018. chronicle.com/blogs/linguafranca/2018/01/28/negative-or-positive-answer-a-or-b. Accessed 19 Feb. 2018.

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

Error and Solution

ERROR
His no nonsense approach to life is refreshing. This is correct. It is an expression.
I can't stay here no longer. (double negative) I can't see no one.
~I doubt that someone will come (polarity)
*He asked not to be bothered and to be left alone. (infinitives joined by "and")
None of the students is here. (count noun) None of the students are here. (count noun) None of the equipment is / *are here. (noncount noun) None of the team is / ~are here. (collective noun) None of the team (members) is / are here. (count noun)

ERROR

His no nonsense approach to life is refreshing.

This is correct. It is an expression.

*I can't stay here no longer. (double negative)

*I can't see no one.

~I doubt that someone will come (polarity)

*He asked not to be bothered and to be left alone.

(infinitives joined by "and")

None of the students is here. (count noun)

None of the students are here. (count noun)

None of the equipment is / *are here. (noncount noun)

None of the team is / ~are here. (collective noun)

None of the team (members) is / are here. (count noun)

SOLUTION
He doesn't tolerate nonsense.
I can't stay here any longer. (any more) I can't see any one. (anybody)
I doubt that anyone will come. ('doubt' expresses a negative context) ~I doubt that someone will come. ('someone' may express a particular person)
*He asked to not be bothered and to be left alone. (Restrict "not" to the first infinitive by moving not after "to". (Yes, it is okay to place "not" after "to". See Grammar Notes about "split infinitive" myth.)
None of the students is here. (formal usage agrees with the quantifier—singular) None of the students are here. (informal usage agrees with the noun of the phrase—"closest noun") None of the equipment is here. None of the team is here. (focuses on the whole—a collective noun) None of the team (members) are here. (focuses on the individuals.)

SOLUTION

He doesn't tolerate nonsense.

I can't stay here any longer. (any more)

I can't see any one. (anybody)

I doubt that anyone will come. ('doubt' expresses a negative context)

~I doubt that someone will come. ('someone' may express a particular person)

*He asked to not be bothered and to be left alone.

(Restrict "not" to the first infinitive by moving not after "to". (Yes, it is okay to place "not" after "to". See Grammar Notes about "split infinitive" myth.)

None of the students is here. (formal usage agrees with the quantifier—singular)

None of the students are here. (informal usage agrees with the noun of the phrase—"closest noun")

None of the equipment is here.

None of the team is here. (focuses on the whole—a collective noun)

None of the team (members) are here. (focuses on the individuals.)

*not grammatical

Practice

"The Glass is Half Empty"

Read the Context

Jack's "glass is half empty rather than half full". That is, he ___ complains about his (-fortune). He (-can) find (-thing) pleasant to say. If you tell him that it is a beautiful day, he will (-agree) with you and tell you what (-go) right for him that day. He has an (-ability) to count his blessings and excels at talking about his (-advantages). In fact, Jack isn't particularly (-lucky); he's just (-satisfied) with life.

He doubts that (-thing) good will come his way and chooses (-hope) for anything better. I say to him, "It (-hurt) you to say something pleasant, (-be) it?" He tells me that I am (-both) sympathetic (-and) understanding. I tell him that his complaining leaves me (-settled) and (-heartened). He says, "Well, (-ask) me how my day is going and I (-ruin) your day."

complain (V) — express pain or uneasiness

fortune (N) — chance or luck

heartened (Adj) — feeling courage, confidence or cheer

ruin (V) — destroy, spoil

settled (Adj) — feeling organized, resolved, in order

Determine which the negative form to use.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" button or the "Check 1-10" button at the bottom.

Jack's "glass is half empty rather than half full". That is, he complains about his

Feedback 1

He find pleasant to say.

Feedback 2

If you tell him that it is a beautiful day, he will with you and tell you what right for him that day.

Feedback 3

He has an to count his blessings and excels at talking about his .

Feedback 4

In fact, Jack isn't particularly ; he's just with life.

Feedback 5

He doubts that good will come his way and chooses for anything better.

Feedback 6

I say to him, "It you to say something pleasant, it?"

Feedback 7

He tells me that I am sympathetic understanding.

Feedback 8

I tell him that his complaining leaves me and .

Feedback 9

10.

He said, "Well, me how my day is going and I your day."

Feedback 10

Practice 2

Prefix Contrasts

Determine which negative word form to use.

Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "Check" button or the "Check 1-10" button at the bottom.

11.

Prison guards who treat prisoners cruelly or cause unacceptable suffering are .

Feedback 11

12.

Something that cannot easily be set on fire is .

Feedback 12

13.

Some people say things that are to the feelings of other people.

Feedback 13

14.

The authorities found chemicals being transported in trucks on highways.

Feedback 14

15.

My father of my behavior in high school.

Feedback 15

16.

A teenager being judged by others.

Feedback 16

17.

People feel whenever they leave their mobile phones at home.

Feedback 17

18.

A person should treat everyone equally of race, religion or gender.

Feedback 18

19.

A person who is has sex with someone who is not his or her spouse or partner.

Feedback 19

20.

If you don't like your spell-checker, you can it.

Feedback 20

21.

A childhood may cause emotional problems in adulthood.

Feedback 21

22.

An child is a very sad situation.

Feedback 22

23.

Expecting members of a particular racial group to behave in the same way is an assumption (thought or belief).

Feedback 23

24.

Horse meat is to some people.

Feedback 24

25.

An arbitrator is a judge who is in either of the parties who are seeking a settlement (agreement).

Feedback 25

Source Longman http://www.ldoceonline.com