6.9.3

Two Verbs

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Using Negatives When There Are Two Verbs

When there are two verbs in a sentence, for example in the perfect tense, the 'ne...pas' or other negatives will go around the first verb.

Illustrative background for Tenses that use 'avoir' or 'être'Illustrative background for Tenses that use 'avoir' or 'être' ?? "content

Tenses that use 'avoir' or 'être'

  • For tenses that use 'avoir' or 'être' then a past participle, the negative goes around the conjugated part of 'avoir' or 'être'.
    • Je n'ai pas mangé - I did not eat.
    • Je n'étais pas allé - I did not go.
Illustrative background for Two verbsIllustrative background for Two verbs ?? "content

Two verbs

  • When there are two verbs, the negative clause goes around the first verb.
    • Je n'aime pas faire de la natation - I do not like to swim.
    • Je ne veux pas aller à l'école - I do not want to go to school.

Jump to other topics

1Identity & Culture

2Areas of Interest

3Study & Employment

4Common Tenses

4.1Present Tense

4.2Perfect Tense

4.3Imperfect Tense

4.4Imperfect vs Perfect

4.5Future Tense

5Advanced Tenses

6Extra Grammar

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