Do Not vs Don’t
Do not and Don’t are two kinds of usage in English grammar that show some difference between them. Don’t is the condensed form of the expression ‘do not’. Don’t is very frequently used in spoken English, whereas ‘do not’ is used frequently in written English. This is the major difference between the two forms.
It is important to know that the form ‘don’t’ is used with first person, second person and the third person plural pronouns. Take a look at the sentences given below.
1. I don’t know what to say.
2. You don’t seem to understand the situation.
3. They don’t give a proper reply.
In all the sentences given above, you can see that the form ‘don’t’ is used in the case of the first person, second person and third person respectively. It is used in the case of both the singular and the plural of the first person pronoun, singular and plural of the second person pronoun, and only the plural of the third person pronoun. This is an important observation to make as far as the third person is concerned.
On the other hand, observe the two sentences,
1. I do not read magazines every day.
2. You do not come tomorrow.
3. They do not stick to rules.
In all the three sentences given above, you can see that the form ‘do not’ is used in the case of the first person, second person and third person pronoun respectively. In fact like ‘don’t’ it is also used in the case of both the singular and the plural of the first person pronoun, singular and plural of the second person pronoun and only the plural of the third person pronoun. These are the important differences between the two forms, namely, don’t and do not.
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