Communicative functions: Interacting with others

Adjusting our interaction with others

Being positive and negative

When we interact with others, the most direct way to express our point of view is to be either positive or negative:

The water in the harbour is polluted, but the water in the swimming pools isn't polluted. The children like chocolate biscuits but they don't like MegaMonster.

To make a positive clause negative, we add the word not to the verb group. In spoken language the word not is often contracted and joined to the auxiliary verb to make a single word. If the verb group does not already have an auxiliary, we add the auxiliary verb does or do: 

Here is how positive and negative turns are used to build the interaction in a children's conversation:

	I don't like fish.
	Don't you? I like tuna and I love those chewy things.

For more information about responding to requests, see: 

Text types: Particular Descriptions: Expressing feelings and opinions
Text types: Recounts: Expressing feelings and opinions
Text types: Stories: Building atmosphere and suspense
Grammar: Groups & phrases: Verb group: Adjusting interactions: modality: Overview

Teaching activities

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in being positive and negative, see: Did you enjoy the film? Film reviews Furniture and home Have you got any apples?