Add contradictory statements to the following, either freely or using the suggestion in brackets.
Use the following pattern in your answers: but + subject + auxiliary + n’t / not
1He can speak English, ............... I can't.
Wrong!
Use "but" to introduce the opposite idea, "I can't."
2He won the test, ............... his brother didn't.
Wrong!
Use "but" to contrast his success with his brother's result.
3I like reading comics, ............... my wife doesn't.
Wrong!
Use "but" to contrast what I like with what my wife doesn't like.
4He ............... me well, but his wife doesn't.
Wrong!
The first clause is positive, so "knows" contrasts with "doesn't" in the second clause.
5English is easy to learn, but French ...............
Wrong!
Use "isn't" because French is contrasted negatively with English.
6I did the homework, but others ...............
Wrong!
Use "didn't" to contrast others with the positive statement "I did."
7I have learned classical music, but my sister ...............
Wrong!
Use "hasn't" to contrast my sister with the positive present perfect statement.
8John ..............., but Peter hasn't.
Wrong!
Use "has arrived" so John's positive action contrasts with "Peter hasn't."
9James can sing well, but Alice ...............
Wrong!
Use "can't" to contrast Alice's ability with James's ability.
10He will leave tomorrow, ............... I won't.
Wrong!
Use "but" to introduce the opposite idea, "I won't."
Answers
- He can speak English, but I can’t.
- He won the test, but his brother didn’t.
- I like reading comics, but my wife doesn’t.
- He knows me well, but his wife doesn’t.
- English is easy to learn, but French isn’t.
- I did the homework, but others didn’t.
- I have learned classical music, but my sister hasn’t.
- John has arrived, but Peter hasn’t.
- James can sing well, but Alice can’t.
- He will leave tomorrow, but I won’t.
