Verbs that don't require do-support
Most verbs require do-support to make them negative: We normally say, “ I do not smoke,” and not “I smoke not.”
There are, however, a number of verbs that can be made negative without do-support by putting not after the verb and this is page is designed to list them.
The symbol (∀) after a verb indicates that the verb can only be made negative in this way. In the case of the full modal auxilliaries, this is indicated by putting this symbol after the heading only as all of them are made negative this way. Where this symbol does not occur after a verb or the heading of the group it belongs to, it is possible to form a negative either with or without do-support.
(∀AÅB) after a two word verb phrase means not can come after either the first or second word, but negatives cannot be made with do-support.
The following symbols, are used, or may in the future be used, seperated by a comma in the same set of parenthesis clarrify this:
(+ΔSem)
means with a significant change in meaning.
(+δSem)
means with a slight change in meaning.
(0ΔSem)
means with no change in meaning.
(Mimp) means that the sentence must be in the imperative mood.
(V2) means the verb must always be in the past tense.
Where there is an elipsis(...) it should be assumed that the not goes there.
Auxilliaries
|
Primary: |
Ain't (∀)[non-standard, contains its own not], Be(∀) , Have, Do |
|
Full Modal:(∀) |
Can, Could, May, Might, Will, Would, Shall, Should, Had better, Must |
| Marginal modal: | Need, Dare, Ought(∀), Ought better(∀) Use(V2)(discontinued actions/states), Let(Mimp), Make(Mimp) |
Other
|
Mental states |
appear, assume, believe, care, expect, fancy, fear, gather, guess, hope, imagine, know ... what to do, prefer, presume, reckon, seem, suppose, trust, worry |
| Reported speach |
ask, suggest |
|
Prefixed with should |
Should say(∀AÅB, +ΔSem), (should) think |
|
Prefixed with would |
would rather(∀), would sooner(∀), would prefer(∀AÅB, +ΔSem) |
Idioms/set expressions
I kid you not.