Let's see what comes to mind — no notes, and don't worry about getting it perfect.
Have a go. Complete this sentence:
"There's point complaining — it won't change anything."
Before we start: say one thing you don't suppose your friends would guess about you, and one thing that was, for you, no small achievement.
A: I don't think we've actually been introduced properly.
B: No, I don't think we have — I'm Priya.
A: Nice to meet you. I heard you sorted the whole conference in a week — no small achievement.
B: It wasn't easy, no. Still, we got there in the end.
A: I can't stand last-minute organising like that.
B: Nor can I, if I'm honest.
Look at A's first line again: "I don't think we've actually been introduced." Why not "I think we haven't been introduced"? Say your idea before you check.
Two ways English softens a negative: by moving it, or by doubling it.
Three everyday sentences:
In each one, where does the negative meaning actually belong — with "suppose/imagine/believe", or with the clause after it? Say your answer before you check.
What do all three have in common — and what do they actually mean? Say it before you check.
1. You doubt the delivery will arrive on time. Text a colleague:
"I think the delivery will arrive on time today."
2. Rewrite naturally, moving the negative onto the main verb:
"I suppose he will not be very happy about the change."
3. Everyone was impressed — organising the wedding in six weeks was:
small task.
Tell me about something that was, for you personally, no small achievement — and something that's not uncommon in your job or your country. Try starting at least one sentence with "I don't suppose..." or "I don't imagine...".
Short replies that match someone else's statement — without repeating it.
Two of these replies use a negative word, one doesn't — what decides which one you need? Say your idea before you check.
1. Your friend says: "I don't really trust online reviews anymore." Agree with the same feeling, starting with Nor or Neither:
2. A: "I've been to that new restaurant twice already."
B: " have I — it's brilliant, isn't it?"
3. Your colleague says: "I can't stand working late on Fridays." Agree, using Nor or Neither:
Say three true statements about your own habits — mix positive and negative ("I've never...", "I really enjoy...", "I can't stand..."). After each one, agree with yourself out loud using nor, neither or so, whichever fits.
The small words that stop a conversation sounding like a list of separate sentences.
In each one, what's being left out or replaced, and why? Say your idea before you check.
1. Rewrite using "the former" and "the latter":
"We're torn between the early train and the late one — the early train is cheaper, but the late one gets in at a better time."
2. A: "Do you reckon the plumber will actually turn up today?"
B: "I suppose — he's usually pretty reliable."
3. A: "Fancy coming for a swim later?"
B: "Might — depends how the afternoon goes."
Describe two places you could go this weekend using "the former" and "the latter". Then ask whether it'll be busy — answer your own question with "I suppose so" or "I'm afraid not", whichever feels true.
Time to use it all in one real story. You do the talking.
Think of two options you've recently had to choose between — two jobs, two flats, two routes to work, two restaurants for a booking. (If nothing comes to mind, invent one.)
Tell the whole story out loud for one minute. Try to include:
Write a short message (3–5 sentences) to a friend explaining the same choice. Use today's negation and linking devices — the checker will tell you which it finds.
Real life doesn't tell you which form to use. Here everything is mixed — you decide.
Each item has one mistake. Rewrite it correctly.
1. "I think we haven't met before."
2. "I can't get no signal in this building."
3. A: "I don't really enjoy flying." B: "So do I." — fix B's reply only:
4. "I suppose it, but I'm not completely sure."
5. A: "I've never actually tried sushi." B: ___
6. Which sounds like something a native speaker would actually say to a colleague who's asked if you'll be free on Friday?
7. "The interview went well, but preparing for it was ___."
Imagine a friend asks about a recent trip that didn't quite go to plan. Answer out loud using at least one transferred negation ("I don't think..."), one agreement response (nor/neither/so), and one linking word (the former/latter, so/not, or "might do").
1. Rewrite in the negative using "no" instead of "not any": "I have some information about the delay."
2. Before nor/neither/so, how did you learn to agree or disagree — without any inversion at all? Give one example out loud, then check.
3. You doubt your neighbours will complain about the party. Say it naturally:
"I imagine the neighbours will complain."
4. A: "I've honestly never cooked a proper roast dinner."
B: " have I — always too scared of the timings."
5. You're choosing between two candidates — one has more experience, the other more enthusiasm:
"The former has more experience; the has more enthusiasm."
Which of today's forms did you already half-know instinctively, and which felt newest — the moved negative, the agreement responses, or the linking words? Say why.
At the start we said: negation that sounds native, and small words that keep a conversation flowing. Tick what's true: