Practice forming negative commands to tell someone not to do something. Use don't or do not before the verb, like in Don't touch that!
Negative commands tell someone not to do something. They usually start with don't or do not followed by the verb. For example, Don't run or Do not speak.
Negative commands help you clearly tell others what they should not do, which is useful in daily conversations, safety instructions, and rules.
Rules for Forming Negative Commands
Start with don't for informal commands
Use do not for formal commands
Add please to make the command polite
Special Cases & Exceptions:
Most negative commands are straightforward, but here are a few special cases to note.
For be, use don't be to form the negative
In formal writing or signs, do not is preferred over don't
| Command | Example |
|---|---|
| Don't run | Don't run in the hallway. |
| Do not enter | Do not enter this room. |
| Don't be late | Don't be late to class. |
| Do not touch | Do not touch the artwork. |
| Don't forget | Don't forget your homework. |
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