4.105 negatives

Negatives are formed by putting a negative word such as 'not' immediately after the modal. In the case of 'ought to', you put the negative word after 'ought'. 'Can not' is usually written as one word, 'cannot'.

• You must not worry.
• He ought not to have done so.
• I cannot go back.

After 'could', 'might', 'must', 'ought', 'should', and 'would', 'not' is often shortened to '-n't' and is added to the modal.

• You mustn't talk about Ron like this.
• Perhaps I oughtn't to confess this.

'Shall not', 'will not', and 'cannot' are shortened to 'shan't', 'won't', and 'can't'. 'May not' is not shortened at all.

• I shan't get much work done tonight.
• He won't be finished for at least another half an hour.
• I can't go with you.