The word not is an adverb. It tells more about the verb.
Look at this sentence: I am not listening to you.
If I asked you to tell me the verb in this sentence, you would be tempted to say am not listening.
However, the actual verb is am listening. The word not is not part of the verb because not is an adverb.
Here are other sentence examples:
Do not touch that vase.
I did not hear the doorbell.
Dad will not be home for dinner.
In each of these sentences, the two words in the verb are separated by the adverb not.
You will often see the word not inserted between two parts of a verb, but remember that not is not a verb. Not is an adverb.
It’s your turn. Find the adverb in this sentence: Jim cannot attend the concert tonight. Did you figure it out? Good for you!