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How do we make ‘be’ negative?

To make a sentence with the verb be negative, you simply add the word not after the verb. This rule applies to all subjects, but today we focus on I, you, and we.

• The basic structure is: Subject + be + not.

What are the negative forms for 'I'?

When the subject is I, the verb be is am. So, the full negative form is I am not.

• In spoken English and informal writing, we often use the contraction: I'm not.
• Example: I'm not from Brazil.

What are the negative forms for 'you' and 'we'?

For the subjects you (singular or plural) and we, the verb be is are. The full negative forms are you are not and we are not.

• The common contracted form for both is aren't.
• Example: You aren't a teacher.
• Example: We aren't from New York.

Negative Forms of 'Be' (I, You, We)

Subject	Full Form	Contracted Form
I	am not	I'm not
You	are not	aren't
We	are not	aren't

Examples

• I'm not hungry right now.
• You aren't late for the class.
• We aren't friends with them.
• I am not a doctor.
• You are not busy this afternoon.
• We are not ready to go.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

A common mistake for learners is trying to contract am not into amn't. This form is incorrect in standard English. Always use I'm not.

Another point to remember is that you are not and you aren't are both correct. Aren't is more common in speaking, while are not can be used for emphasis or in more formal writing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortest way to say 'I am not'?

The shortest and most common way to say I am not is I'm not.

Can I say 'you are not' instead of 'you aren't'?

Yes, both you are not and you aren't are correct. You aren't is more common in everyday conversation.

Why is 'be' important in English?

Be is one of the most important verbs in English. We use it to talk about names, ages, feelings, nationalities, and locations. Learning its forms, including the negative, is fundamental for A1 English.

Is 'amn't' correct?

No, amn't is not a correct contraction in standard English. Always use I'm not.

Related lessons

• Be: present simple forms
• Be: present simple forms
• Be: present simple forms
• Be: present simple forms