2. 1.9 The Simple Present – Negative Statements
Examples Explanation
The owner decides when to cross the street. We use doesn’t + the base form with he, she, it, or a
singular subject.
Compare: decides doesn’t decide
stops doesn’t stop
Doesn’t is the contraction for does not.
The dog doesn’t decide when to cross the street.
The dog stops at a curb.
It doesn’t stop because of a red light.
Some trainers use food to reward a dog. We use don’t + the base form with I, you, we, they or a
plural subject.
Compare: use don’t use
have don’t have
Don’t is the contraction for do not.
Guide dog trainers don’t use food.
We have a cat.
We don’t have a dog.
