Grammar

Do you have a question on present perfect, prepositions or negation? These aids will allow you to review conjugations and know by heart French grammar rules.

Grammar / Negation

A1 Breakthrough

Do you say: “ce n'est pas bien” or “c'est pas bien”? Learn how to form negative sentences correctly with this help section.

Formal (oral or written forms)

Subject + NE / N' (the verb starts with a vowel) + verb + PAS (+ noun or + infinitive) is used to indicate the opposite of an action or situation.

Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	Je ne veux pas savoir.	I do not want to know.
Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	Je ne comprends pas.	I do not understand.
Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	Je n'ai pas le droit de dire ça.	I am not allowed to say that.

Subject + NE/N' (+ verb starting with a vowel) + verb + PLUS (+ noun or + infinitive) is used to indicate an action or situation that stops.

Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	On ne parlera plus de cette maladie.	We will not talk about this disease anymore.
Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	Je n'ai plus faim.	I am not hungry anymore.

Informal (oral forms)

Sometimes, when speaking, negation can be expressed without using the “ne” adverb.
Subject + verb + PAS or PLUS... (+ noun or + infinitive)

Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	C'est pas l'alcool, c'est l'hépatite B.	It’s not* alcohol, it’s hepatitis B.*
Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	Je veux pas savoir.	I don’t* want to know.*
Audio file Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version.	J'ai plus faim.	I’m not* hungry anymore.*