Understanding the Negative Form
To change the sentence "He was just finishing the work when the light went off" into a negative form, we need to negate both the main verb and the auxiliary verb.
Steps to Change to Negative Form
1. Identify the Main Verb and Auxiliary Verb
- The main verb in the sentence is "finishing."
- The auxiliary verb is "was."
2. Negate the Auxiliary Verb
- In the negative form, "was" becomes "was not."
3. Negate the Main Verb
- The main verb "finishing" is turned into "not finishing."
4. Construct the Negative Sentence
- Combine the negated auxiliary and main verbs while keeping the rest of the sentence intact.
Final Negative Form
- The negative form of the sentence is:
"He was not finishing the work when the light went off."
Key Points to Remember
- Auxiliary Verb Negation: Always negate the auxiliary verb first.
- Main Verb Negation: Change the main verb appropriately, often using "not" with the auxiliary.
- Sentence Structure: Maintain the original sentence structure aside from negation.
By following these steps, you can effectively change sentences to their negative forms, enhancing your understanding of English grammar.