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
Je ne veux pas savoir. I do not want to know.
Je ne comprends pas. I do not understand.
Audio file
Je n'ai pas le droit de dire ça. I am not allowed to say that.
  
SubjectNE/N' (+ verb starting with a vowel) + verbPLUS (+ noun or + infinitive) is used to indicate an action or situation that stops. 
 
Audio file
On ne parlera plus de cette maladie.  We will not talk about this disease anymore. 
Audio file
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
C'est pas l'alcool, c'est l'hépatite B. It’s not alcohol, it’s hepatitis B.
Audio file
Je veux pas savoir. I don’t want to know.
Audio file
J'ai plus faim. I’m not hungry anymore.
 

Practical exercises

Grammar: Negation with ne…pas

A1
4 exercises
Look • Listen • Grammar (negation)