What is the difference between affirmative and negative sentences?

A declarative sentence that gives a positive statement is affirmative (Rina is fond of sweets), and one that gives a negative statement is negative (Swallows are not seen in winter). To make a sentence negative we normally put 'not' after the auxiliary verb.

How do we make a sentence negative when there is no auxiliary verb?

When there is no auxiliary verb, we use the appropriate form of the 'do' verb (do, does, did) + not + the base form of the main verb. For example, 'Rina likes sweets' becomes 'Rina does not like sweets'.

What are the two kinds of interrogative sentences?

There are two kinds — yes/no questions, which expect the answer 'yes' or 'no' (Is it raining?), and wh-questions, which ask for specific information using who, what, when, which, where, why and how (Why are you late?).

How do we form a yes/no question?

A yes/no question begins with an auxiliary verb; if there is no auxiliary, we use the right form of 'do'. The main verb stays in the base form — 'Hari reads well' becomes 'Does Hari read well?' (not 'Does Hari reads well?').

Grammar Chapter 11: Negatives and Interrogatives

Q: Which sentence type does not usually take a negation?

Declarative, interrogative and imperative sentences all have affirmative and negative forms, but an exclamatory sentence does not usually take a negation — 'How unfortunate he is!' cannot sensibly become 'How unfortunate he is not!'.

Learn and Practise Grammar · Making negatives & questions

English Grammar · Odisha Board Class 9 · Notes + Solved Activities + 25 Quiz

📖 Grammar Chapter 11 — Negatives and Interrogatives: This chapter shows how to turn a sentence into its negative form (with ‘not’ or the ‘do’ verb) and into its question form — both yes/no questions and wh-questions.

A. Affirmative & Negative

A declarative sentence giving a positive statement is Affirmative (Rina is fond of sweets); one giving a negative statement is Negative (Swallows are not seen in winter).

To make a sentence negative, put ‘not’ after the auxiliary verb (He is playing → He is not playing; She can come → She cannot come).
If there is no auxiliary verb, use the right form of the ‘do’ verb (do / does / did) + not + the base form of the main verb. (Rina likes sweets → Rina does not like sweets.)

Declarative, Interrogative and Imperative sentences all have affirmative and negative forms. But an Exclamatory sentence does not usually take a negation (✘ ‘How unfortunate he is not!’).

Negative words (operators)

We also make a sentence negative with no, never, nor, neither … nor, none.

Contractions

Affirmative	Short (affirmative)	Short (negative)
I am ill	I'm ill	I'm not ill
She is ill	She's ill	She isn't ill
They are ill	They're ill	They aren't ill
I have done	I've done	I haven't done
She will do	She'll do	She won't do
I shall do	I'll do	I shan't do

B. Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences ask questions. There are two kinds:

1. Yes / No Questions

These expect the answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. They begin with an auxiliary verb; if there is no auxiliary, use the right form of ‘do’. The main verb stays in its base form.

Hari reads well. → Does Hari read well? (not ‘Does Hari reads well?’)
Kamalini broke the glass. → Did Kamalini break the glass? (not ‘Did Kamalini broke…?’)

2. Wh-Questions

These ask for specific information using the wh-words — who, what, when, which, where, why, how.

Statement	Wh-question
Dolagovinda is my best friend.	Who is your best friend?
Narendra is in Rourkela.	Where is Narendra?
Vijay married on 15 December.	When did Vijay marry?
That red book is mine.	Which book is yours?
He was absent because of fever.	Why was he absent?

💡 Quick Recap

① Affirmative = positive; Negative = with ‘not’. ② ‘not’ comes after the auxiliary; with no auxiliary use do/does/did + not + base verb. ③ Exclamatory sentences don't take a negation. ④ Yes/no questions begin with an auxiliary (or ‘do’), main verb in base form. ⑤ Wh-questions use who/what/when/which/where/why/how for specific information.

Solved Textbook Activities (with answers)

1Activity 1 — Make the sentences negative.

1. A baby can swim. → A baby cannot swim. (done) 2. The tea is hot. → The tea is not hot. 3. Rabi is sleeping. → Rabi is not sleeping. 4. The boys are playing. → The boys are not playing. 5. Namita will return today. → Namita will not return today. 6. She must be Sheela. → She must not be Sheela. 7. Mantu has done a mistake. → Mantu has not done a mistake. 8. Babita may come here. → Babita may not come here.

2Activity 2 — Make negative (no auxiliary — use the ‘do’ verb).

1. Kunu invited me. → Kunu did not invite me. (done) 2. Rajesh has a red pen. → Rajesh does not have a red pen. 3. The fire-engine came late. → The fire-engine did not come late. 4. They often make noise. → They do not often make noise. 5. The ozone layer keeps us safe. → The ozone layer does not keep us safe. 6. The girl told a lie. → The girl did not tell a lie.

3Activity 3 — Turn into negatives using the contracted form n't.

1. We should help one another. → We shouldn't help one another. (done) 2. Swati writes well. → Swati doesn't write well. 3. Buddhiman has been to Kolkata. → Buddhiman hasn't been to Kolkata. 4. You must ask him. → You mustn't ask him. 5. Rebati should remember it. → Rebati shouldn't remember it. 6. He does his work sincerely. → He doesn't do his work sincerely. 7. My father can speak four languages. → My father can't speak four languages.

4Activity 4 — Make interrogative (yes/no) sentences.

Example: Kajal can solve the problem. → Can Kajal solve the problem? 1. Shivaji was clever. → Was Shivaji clever? 2. Ranjita had done that. → Had Ranjita done that? 3. The children are shouting. → Are the children shouting? 4. She has seen me. → Has she seen me? 5. Dogs can be more faithful. → Can dogs be more faithful? 6. Mohan is a good student. → Is Mohan a good student? 7. I am doing my best. → Am I doing my best?

5Activity 5 — Make yes/no questions (use the ‘do’ form where needed).

Example: Reshma works at home. → Does Reshma work at home? 1. Rupali always smiles. → Does Rupali always smile? 2. Biswajit occasionally tells a lie. → Does Biswajit occasionally tell a lie? 3. Trees breathe out oxygen. → Do trees breathe out oxygen? 4. He put the book on the table. → Did he put the book on the table? 5. Mother cooks nicely. → Does Mother cook nicely? 6. Everyone in the team performed well. → Did everyone in the team perform well? 7. He confessed his guilt. → Did he confess his guilt?

6Activity 6 — Make wh-questions to get the underlined words as answers.

1. He lives in Kolkata. → Where does he live? (done) 2. I'm 14 years old. → How old are you? 3. Rajesh reached home at 7 p.m. → When did Rajesh reach home? 4. Pinky snatched the book from Seema. → Who snatched the book from Seema? 5. Her name is Avipsa. → What is her name? 6. They went there on a picnic. → Why did they go there? 7. The second flat belongs to Mr. Patra. → Which flat belongs to Mr. Patra?