Present tense

Making negative sentences

A. Read the following sentences.

É. hu& hsto n9I. I am not laughing.

(Speaker is male.)

Ê. hu& hstI n9I. I am not laughing.

(Speaker is female.)

Ë. Ame hsta n9I. We (exclusive) are not laughing.

(Speakers are male.)

Ì. Ame hsta& n9I. We (exclusive) are not laughing.

(Speakers are female or male and female together.)

Í. Aap8e hsta n9I. We (inclusive) are not laughing.

(Speakers are male.)

Î. Aap8e hsta& n9I. We (inclusive) are not laughing.

(Speakers are female or male and female together.)

Ï. tu& hsto n9I. You are not laughing.

(Listener is male.)

Ð. tu& hstI n9I. You are not laughing.

(Listener is female.)

Ñ. tme hsta n9I. You (pl.) are not laughing.

(Listeners are male.)

ÉÈ. tme hsta& n9I. You (pl.) are not laughing.

(Listeners are female or male and female together.)

ÉÉ. te hsto n9I. He is not laughing.

(The person referred to is male.)

ÉÊ. te hstI n9I. She is not laughing.

(The person referred to is female.)

ÉË. te hstu& n9I. It is not laughing.

(The gender of the person referred to is not known.)

ÉÌ. teAo hsta n9I. They are not laughing.

(The persons referred to are male.)

ÉÍ. teAo hsta& n9I. They are not laughing.

(The persons referred to are female or male and female together.)

Remember the following:

  1. The gender of the speaker, listener and the person or entity referred to plays an important role in forming negative sentences in present tense.
  2. You must use -t\- after the verb root and before the gender and number marker.
  3. The -t\- indicates 'action in progress'.
  4. n9I negates the action in progress.

Exercise: 1 Translate the following.

  1. I am not reading a book. (Speaker is Lila.)
  2. I am not writing a letter. (Speaker is Mahesh.)
  3. We are not running. (The speakers are male and you are not a part of the speakers.)
  4. We are not singing. (The speakers are male and you are one of the speakers.)
  5. We are not walking. (The speakers are female and you are not a part of the speakers.)
  6. We are not talking. (The speakers are female and you are one of the speakers.)
  7. You are not watching a TV. (Listener is male.)
  8. You are not watching a TV. (Listener is female.)
  9. You are not watching a TV. (Listeners are male.)
  10. You are not watching a TV. (Listeners are female.)
  11. Shilpa is not sleeping.
  12. Ramesh is not sleeping.
  13. Shila and Ramesh are not sleeping.
  14. He is not crying.
  15. She is not talking.