9.2.1
Negatives
Just the 'Nada' Bit
Just the 'Nada' Bit
Putting 'no' before a verb makes the phrase negative. 'No hablo inglés' means I don't speak English. 'Nada' is added on to create the meaning of 'nothing' or 'anything'.
'No'
'No'
- Adding 'no' is the most simple way that we can turn a Spanish sentence into a negative. The 'no' will usually come before the verb.
- Me gustan las verduras → No me gustan las verduras.
- I like vegetables → I do not like vegetables.
- Me gustan las verduras → No me gustan las verduras.
- 'No' comes after verbs of belief, hope and desire.
- Creo que no.
- I don't think so.
- Creo que no.
- 'Que no' is used in short answers when there is no need to repeat a previous statement.
'No'
'No'
- No hago ejercicio.
- I don't do exercise.
- No como carne.
- I don't eat meat.
- No bebemos alcohol.
- We don't drink alcohol.
'No' + 'nada'
'No' + 'nada'
- 'Nada' is used with 'no', in a double negation.
- 'No' comes before the verb and 'nada' comes after.
- No queremos hacer nada.
- We don't want to do anything.
- No queremos hacer nada.
- Occasionally 'nada' is used without 'no', but this is a very formal style.
- Nada justifica el terrorismo.
- Nothing justifies terrorism.
- Nada justifica el terrorismo.
'No' + 'nada'
'No' + 'nada'
- No haces nada
- You do nothing.
- No tenemos nada que comer.
- We don't have anything to eat.
- No te gusta nada.
- You like nothing.
Negatives
Negatives
We can describe when something is not there in lots of different ways:
Nadie - no one, nobody
Nadie - no one, nobody
- 'Nadie' is used with 'no', 'nadie' comes after the verb.
- No hay nadie en casa.
- There is no one at home.
- No hay nadie en casa.
- "Nadie' takes an impersonal 'a' when it is the object of the sentence.
- No veo a nadie.
- I cannot see anyone.
- No veo a nadie.
- 'Nadie' can occasionally start a sentence as well, this is the only time it is used without 'no'.
- Nadie quiere salir cuando hace frío.
- Nobody wants to go outside when it is cold.
- Nadie quiere salir cuando hace frío.
Tampoco - neither
Tampoco - neither
- 'Tampoco' can be used by itself before the verb.
- Yo tampoco sé nadar.
- I can't swim either.
- Yo tampoco sé nadar.
- 'Tampoco' can be used after the verb if 'no' comes before the verb.
- María no se gusta correr tampoco.
- Maria doesn't like to run either.
- María no se gusta correr tampoco.
Nunca - never
Nunca - never
- 'Nunca' is used in a double negative construction as well as on its own.
- No he ido nunca al cine.
- I have never been to the cinema.
- Nunca me olvidaré de Argentina.
- I will never forget Argentina.
- No he ido nunca al cine.
- 'Nunca' can also be used with other negatives.
- Nunca he visto a nadie tan alto.
- I have never seen anyone so tall.
- Nunca he visto a nadie tan alto.
Jamás - never
Jamás - never
- 'Jamás' is a close synonym to 'nunca'. It is used less frequently and it is more formal. It has the same uses.
- Jamás quiero volver a Bélgica.
- I never want to return to Belgium.
- Jamás quiero volver a Bélgica.
- 'Jamás' is also used with 'nunca' to form the expression 'nunca jamás', meaning 'never ever'.
- Nunca jamás volveré a Birmingham.
- I will never return to Birmingham.
- Nunca jamás volveré a Birmingham.
Negatives 2
Negatives 2
In Spanish there are different words to express the negative action. The position of them varies. They can be used on their own or in a double negative construction.
Ningún, ninguno/a/os/as - none, not one
Ningún, ninguno/a/os/as - none, not one
- 'Ningún, ninguno' can be used as an adjective.
- No existe ningún problema. (there is no problem).
- 'Ningún, ninguno' can be used as a pronoun and it refers to objects or people.
- It agrees with the gender and person with the nouns that it replace.
- Ninguna de las dos opciones tuvo éxito. (None of the two options were succesful).
Ni...ni - neither...nor
Ni...ni - neither...nor
- 'Ni...ni' can be used in a double negative construction with 'no' or by itself.
- It 'ni' is before the verb then 'no' is usually not needed in modern Spanish.
- Ella no quiere ni agua ni café. (She doesn't want neither water nor coffee).
- E.g. Ni más ni menos. (No more no less).
- 'Ni' is also used with 'siquiera' to mean 'not even'.
- E.g. Ni siquiera tengo un trabajo. (I don't even have a job).
Sino - but rather
Sino - but rather
- 'Sino' is always used in the second part of a negative statement, to correct the previous statement.
- No me gustan las películas de terror sino las películas de comedía. (I don't like horror films but rather comedies).
- When two verbs are conjugated, you must use 'sino que'.
- No juego al fútbol sino que juego al rugby. (I don't play football, but rather I play rugby).
- When 'no sólo' is used, you must use 'sino también'.
- Mi amiga no sólo es simpática sino también guapa. (My friend is not only nice but also beautiful).
Ya no - no longer
Ya no - no longer
- 'Ya no' is used before the verb and it is used by itself.
- Ya no vivimos juntos.
- We no longer live together.
- Ya no vivimos juntos.
1The Basics
1.1Pronouns
1.4Adjectives
1.5Abbreviations
2Current & Future Study & Employment
2.1School & Subjects
2.2School & Subjects - Translations
2.3Education Post - 16
3Identity & Culture
3.1Me, My Family & Friends
3.1.1Greetings
3.1.2Age & Name
3.1.3Physical Appearance
3.1.4Friends
3.1.5Personality
3.1.6Whose Father? Whose Parents?
3.1.7Family Members
3.1.8Other Family Members
3.1.9Describing Family
3.1.10Describing People
3.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Describing People
3.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Family
3.1.13Relationships
3.1.14Exam-Style Questions - Relationships
3.1.15Tener
3.1.16Ser
3.2Me, My Family & Friends - Translations
3.2.1Greetings - Spanish to English
3.2.2Greetings - English to Spanish
3.2.3Greetings - Translations
3.2.4Age & Name - Spanish to English
3.2.5Age & Name - English to Spanish
3.2.6Age & Name - Translations
3.2.7Describing Yourself - Spanish to English
3.2.8Describing Yourself - English to Spanish
3.2.9Describing Yourself - Translations
3.2.10Friends - English to Spanish
3.2.11Friends - Spanish to English
3.2.12Friends - Translations
3.2.13Personality - Spanish to English
3.2.14Personality - English to Spanish
3.2.15Personality - Translations
3.2.16Family - Spanish to English
3.2.17Family - English to Spanish
3.2.18Family - Translations
3.2.19Describing Family - Spanish to English
3.2.20Describing Family - English to Spanish
3.2.21Describing Family - Translations
3.2.22Relationships - Spanish to English
3.2.23Relationships - English to Spanish
3.2.24Relationships - Translations
3.3Technology in Everyday Life
3.4Technology in Everyday Life - Translations
3.5Free Time Activities
3.6Free Time Activities - Translations
3.6.1Music - Spanish to English
3.6.2Music - English to Spanish
3.6.3Music - Translations
3.6.4Cinema & TV - Spanish to English
3.6.5Cinema & TV - English to Spanish
3.6.6Cinema & TV - Translations
3.6.7Food - Spanish to English
3.6.8Food - English to Spanish
3.6.9Food - Translations
3.6.10Meat & Fish - Spanish to English
3.6.11Meat & Fish - English to Spanish
3.6.12Meat & Fish - Translations
3.6.13Fruit & Veg - Spanish to English
3.6.14Fruit & Veg - English to Spanish
3.6.15Fruit & Veg - Translations
3.6.16Drinks & Snacks - Spanish to English
3.6.17Drinks & Snacks - English to Spanish
3.6.18Drinks & Snacks - Translations
3.6.19Eating Out - Spanish to English
3.6.20Eating Out - English to Spanish
3.6.21Eating Out - Translations
3.6.22Sport - Spanish to English
3.6.23Sport- English to Spanish
3.6.24Sport - Translations
3.6.25Fashion - Spanish to English
3.6.26Fashion - English to Spanish
3.6.27Fashion - Translations
3.7Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries
3.8Customs & Festivals - Translations
4Areas of Interest
4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region
4.2Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Translations
4.2.1Home - Spanish to English
4.2.2Home - English to Spanish
4.2.3Home - Translations
4.2.4Near Your Home - Spanish to English
4.2.5Near Your Home - English to Spanish
4.2.6Near Your Home - Translations
4.2.7Shops - Spanish to English
4.2.8Shops - English to Spanish
4.2.9Shops - Translations
4.2.10Places in Town - Spanish to English
4.2.11Places in Town - English to Spanish
4.2.12Places in Town - Translations
4.2.13Region & Directions - English to Spanish
4.2.14Region & Directions - Spanish to English
4.2.15Region & Directions - Translations
4.3Social Issues
4.4Social Issues - Translations
4.4.1Charity - English to Spanish
4.4.2Charity - Spanish to English
4.4.3Charity - Translations
4.4.4Body & Illness - Spanish to English
4.4.5Body & Illness - English to Spanish
4.4.6Body & Illness - Translations
4.4.7Healthy Life - Spanish to English
4.4.8Healthy Life - English to Spanish
4.4.9A Healthy Life - Translations
4.5Global Issues
4.6Global Issues - Translations
4.7Travel & Tourism
4.8Travel & Tourism - Translations
4.8.1Holidays - Spanish to English
4.8.2Holidays - English to Spanish
4.8.3Holidays - Translations
4.8.4Booking - Spanish to English
4.8.5Booking - English to Spanish
4.8.6Booking - Translations
4.8.7Tourism - Spanish to English
4.8.8Tourism - English to Spanish
4.8.9Tourism - Translations
4.8.10Weather - Spanish to English
4.8.11Weather - English to Spanish
4.8.12Weather - Translations
5Listening Practice
5.1Me, My Family & Friends - Listening
5.2Technology in Everyday Life - Listening
5.3Free-Time - Listening
5.3.1Music - Listening (All)
5.3.2Music - Listening (Higher)
5.3.3Cinema & TV - Listening (All)
5.3.4Cinema & TV - Listening (Higher)
5.3.5Food & Eating Out - Listening (All)
5.3.6Food & Eating Out - Listening (Higher)
5.3.7Sport - Listening (All)
5.3.8Sport - Listening (Higher)
5.3.9Exam-Style Questions - Sport
5.4Customs & Festivals - Listening
5.5Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Listening
5.6Social Issues - Listening
5.7Travel & Tourism - Listening
5.8Education - Listening
6Common Tenses
6.1Present Tense
6.1.1Regular AR Verbs
6.1.25 Common AR Verbs
6.1.3Negative Verbs
6.1.4Irregular AR Verbs
6.1.5Irregular AR Verbs - Exceptions
6.1.6Regular ER Verbs
6.1.75 Common ER Verbs
6.1.8Irregular ER Verbs
6.1.9Irregular ER Verbs - First Person Stem Changes
6.1.10Regular IR Verbs
6.1.115 Common IR Verbs
6.1.12Irregular IR Verbs
6.1.13Irregular IR Verbs - Adding an Accent
6.1.14Irregular IR Verbs - Exceptions
6.1.15Irregular IR Verbs - 'Ir'
6.1.16Irregular IR Verbs - Verbs Ending in '-uir'
6.1.17Verb Phrases
6.1.18The Use of 'Se'
6.2Preterite Tense
6.2.1Regular AR Verbs
6.2.2Irregular AR Verbs
6.2.3Irregular AR Verbs 2
6.2.4Regular ER Verbs
6.2.5Irregular ER Verbs
6.2.6Irregular ER Verbs - Ver & Tener
6.2.7Irregular ER Verbs 2
6.2.8Regular IR Verbs
6.2.9Irregular IR Verbs - Preterite
6.2.10Irregular IR Verbs - Decir, Venir & Ir
6.2.11Irregular IR Verbs 3
6.3Imperfect Tense
6.4Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses
6.5Future Tense
7Important Verbs
7.1To Be - 'Ser' & 'Estar'
7.2To Like - 'Gustar'
7.3To Have - 'Tener'
8Advanced Tenses
8.1The Simple Future
8.2Conditional Tense
8.3Continuous Tenses
8.5Present Subjunctive
8.5.1Present Subjunctive - Regular AR Verbs
8.5.2Present Subjunctive - Regular ER Verbs
8.5.3Present Subjunctive - Regular IR Verbs
8.5.4Present Subjunctive - Irregular AR Verbs
8.5.5Irregular AR Verbs 2
8.5.6Irregular AR Verbs 3
8.5.7Present Subjunctive - Irregular ER Verbs
8.5.8Irregular ER Verbs 2
8.5.9Irregular IR Verbs
8.5.10Irregular IR Verbs 2
8.5.11Irregular IR Verbs 3
8.5.12Present Subjunctive - Uses
8.6Imperfect Subjunctive
9Extra Grammar
9.1Articles
9.2Negatives
9.3Nouns
9.3.1People & Animals
9.3.2Nouns that Stay the Same
9.3.3Nouns that Only Take One Article
9.3.4Masculine vs Feminine Nouns
9.3.5Masculine Exceptions
9.3.6Feminine Exceptions
9.3.7Noun Endings that Are Usually Feminine
9.3.8Noun Endings that Are Usually Masculine
9.3.9Nouns that End in a Vowel
9.3.10Nouns that End in a Consonant
9.3.11Masculine Nouns
9.3.12Masculine & Feminine Nouns
9.4Asking Questions
9.5Adjectives
9.5.1Adjectives that Change Endings
9.5.2Adjectives that Remain the Same
9.5.3'Grande' & 'Bueno'
9.5.4Plurals Ending in a Consonant (r, l, s, d etc.)
9.5.5Plurals Ending in a Vowel (a, e etc.)
9.5.6The Best, The Worst
9.5.7This, These, That and Those
9.5.8Possession Before a Noun
9.5.9Possession After a Noun
9.5.10Whose
9.5.11Indefinite
9.8Pronouns
9.9By, With, From, Of
9.10Verbs
Jump to other topics
1The Basics
1.1Pronouns
1.4Adjectives
1.5Abbreviations
2Current & Future Study & Employment
2.1School & Subjects
2.2School & Subjects - Translations
2.3Education Post - 16
3Identity & Culture
3.1Me, My Family & Friends
3.1.1Greetings
3.1.2Age & Name
3.1.3Physical Appearance
3.1.4Friends
3.1.5Personality
3.1.6Whose Father? Whose Parents?
3.1.7Family Members
3.1.8Other Family Members
3.1.9Describing Family
3.1.10Describing People
3.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Describing People
3.1.12Exam-Style Questions - Family
3.1.13Relationships
3.1.14Exam-Style Questions - Relationships
3.1.15Tener
3.1.16Ser
3.2Me, My Family & Friends - Translations
3.2.1Greetings - Spanish to English
3.2.2Greetings - English to Spanish
3.2.3Greetings - Translations
3.2.4Age & Name - Spanish to English
3.2.5Age & Name - English to Spanish
3.2.6Age & Name - Translations
3.2.7Describing Yourself - Spanish to English
3.2.8Describing Yourself - English to Spanish
3.2.9Describing Yourself - Translations
3.2.10Friends - English to Spanish
3.2.11Friends - Spanish to English
3.2.12Friends - Translations
3.2.13Personality - Spanish to English
3.2.14Personality - English to Spanish
3.2.15Personality - Translations
3.2.16Family - Spanish to English
3.2.17Family - English to Spanish
3.2.18Family - Translations
3.2.19Describing Family - Spanish to English
3.2.20Describing Family - English to Spanish
3.2.21Describing Family - Translations
3.2.22Relationships - Spanish to English
3.2.23Relationships - English to Spanish
3.2.24Relationships - Translations
3.3Technology in Everyday Life
3.4Technology in Everyday Life - Translations
3.5Free Time Activities
3.6Free Time Activities - Translations
3.6.1Music - Spanish to English
3.6.2Music - English to Spanish
3.6.3Music - Translations
3.6.4Cinema & TV - Spanish to English
3.6.5Cinema & TV - English to Spanish
3.6.6Cinema & TV - Translations
3.6.7Food - Spanish to English
3.6.8Food - English to Spanish
3.6.9Food - Translations
3.6.10Meat & Fish - Spanish to English
3.6.11Meat & Fish - English to Spanish
3.6.12Meat & Fish - Translations
3.6.13Fruit & Veg - Spanish to English
3.6.14Fruit & Veg - English to Spanish
3.6.15Fruit & Veg - Translations
3.6.16Drinks & Snacks - Spanish to English
3.6.17Drinks & Snacks - English to Spanish
3.6.18Drinks & Snacks - Translations
3.6.19Eating Out - Spanish to English
3.6.20Eating Out - English to Spanish
3.6.21Eating Out - Translations
3.6.22Sport - Spanish to English
3.6.23Sport- English to Spanish
3.6.24Sport - Translations
3.6.25Fashion - Spanish to English
3.6.26Fashion - English to Spanish
3.6.27Fashion - Translations
3.7Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries
3.8Customs & Festivals - Translations
4Areas of Interest
4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region
4.2Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Translations
4.2.1Home - Spanish to English
4.2.2Home - English to Spanish
4.2.3Home - Translations
4.2.4Near Your Home - Spanish to English
4.2.5Near Your Home - English to Spanish
4.2.6Near Your Home - Translations
4.2.7Shops - Spanish to English
4.2.8Shops - English to Spanish
4.2.9Shops - Translations
4.2.10Places in Town - Spanish to English
4.2.11Places in Town - English to Spanish
4.2.12Places in Town - Translations
4.2.13Region & Directions - English to Spanish
4.2.14Region & Directions - Spanish to English
4.2.15Region & Directions - Translations
4.3Social Issues
4.4Social Issues - Translations
4.4.1Charity - English to Spanish
4.4.2Charity - Spanish to English
4.4.3Charity - Translations
4.4.4Body & Illness - Spanish to English
4.4.5Body & Illness - English to Spanish
4.4.6Body & Illness - Translations
4.4.7Healthy Life - Spanish to English
4.4.8Healthy Life - English to Spanish
4.4.9A Healthy Life - Translations
4.5Global Issues
4.6Global Issues - Translations
4.7Travel & Tourism
4.8Travel & Tourism - Translations
4.8.1Holidays - Spanish to English
4.8.2Holidays - English to Spanish
4.8.3Holidays - Translations
4.8.4Booking - Spanish to English
4.8.5Booking - English to Spanish
4.8.6Booking - Translations
4.8.7Tourism - Spanish to English
4.8.8Tourism - English to Spanish
4.8.9Tourism - Translations
4.8.10Weather - Spanish to English
4.8.11Weather - English to Spanish
4.8.12Weather - Translations
5Listening Practice
5.1Me, My Family & Friends - Listening
5.2Technology in Everyday Life - Listening
5.3Free-Time - Listening
5.3.1Music - Listening (All)
5.3.2Music - Listening (Higher)
5.3.3Cinema & TV - Listening (All)
5.3.4Cinema & TV - Listening (Higher)
5.3.5Food & Eating Out - Listening (All)
5.3.6Food & Eating Out - Listening (Higher)
5.3.7Sport - Listening (All)
5.3.8Sport - Listening (Higher)
5.3.9Exam-Style Questions - Sport
5.4Customs & Festivals - Listening
5.5Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Listening
5.6Social Issues - Listening
5.7Travel & Tourism - Listening
5.8Education - Listening
6Common Tenses
6.1Present Tense
6.1.1Regular AR Verbs
6.1.25 Common AR Verbs
6.1.3Negative Verbs
6.1.4Irregular AR Verbs
6.1.5Irregular AR Verbs - Exceptions
6.1.6Regular ER Verbs
6.1.75 Common ER Verbs
6.1.8Irregular ER Verbs
6.1.9Irregular ER Verbs - First Person Stem Changes
6.1.10Regular IR Verbs
6.1.115 Common IR Verbs
6.1.12Irregular IR Verbs
6.1.13Irregular IR Verbs - Adding an Accent
6.1.14Irregular IR Verbs - Exceptions
6.1.15Irregular IR Verbs - 'Ir'
6.1.16Irregular IR Verbs - Verbs Ending in '-uir'
6.1.17Verb Phrases
6.1.18The Use of 'Se'
6.2Preterite Tense
6.2.1Regular AR Verbs
6.2.2Irregular AR Verbs
6.2.3Irregular AR Verbs 2
6.2.4Regular ER Verbs
6.2.5Irregular ER Verbs
6.2.6Irregular ER Verbs - Ver & Tener
6.2.7Irregular ER Verbs 2
6.2.8Regular IR Verbs
6.2.9Irregular IR Verbs - Preterite
6.2.10Irregular IR Verbs - Decir, Venir & Ir
6.2.11Irregular IR Verbs 3
6.3Imperfect Tense
6.4Preterite vs Imperfect Tenses
6.5Future Tense
7Important Verbs
7.1To Be - 'Ser' & 'Estar'
7.2To Like - 'Gustar'
7.3To Have - 'Tener'
8Advanced Tenses
8.1The Simple Future
8.2Conditional Tense
8.3Continuous Tenses
8.5Present Subjunctive
8.5.1Present Subjunctive - Regular AR Verbs
8.5.2Present Subjunctive - Regular ER Verbs
8.5.3Present Subjunctive - Regular IR Verbs
8.5.4Present Subjunctive - Irregular AR Verbs
8.5.5Irregular AR Verbs 2
8.5.6Irregular AR Verbs 3
8.5.7Present Subjunctive - Irregular ER Verbs
8.5.8Irregular ER Verbs 2
8.5.9Irregular IR Verbs
8.5.10Irregular IR Verbs 2
8.5.11Irregular IR Verbs 3
8.5.12Present Subjunctive - Uses
8.6Imperfect Subjunctive
9Extra Grammar
9.1Articles
9.2Negatives
9.3Nouns
9.3.1People & Animals
9.3.2Nouns that Stay the Same
9.3.3Nouns that Only Take One Article
9.3.4Masculine vs Feminine Nouns
9.3.5Masculine Exceptions
9.3.6Feminine Exceptions
9.3.7Noun Endings that Are Usually Feminine
9.3.8Noun Endings that Are Usually Masculine
9.3.9Nouns that End in a Vowel
9.3.10Nouns that End in a Consonant
9.3.11Masculine Nouns
9.3.12Masculine & Feminine Nouns
9.4Asking Questions
9.5Adjectives
9.5.1Adjectives that Change Endings
9.5.2Adjectives that Remain the Same
9.5.3'Grande' & 'Bueno'
9.5.4Plurals Ending in a Consonant (r, l, s, d etc.)
9.5.5Plurals Ending in a Vowel (a, e etc.)
9.5.6The Best, The Worst
9.5.7This, These, That and Those
9.5.8Possession Before a Noun
9.5.9Possession After a Noun
9.5.10Whose
9.5.11Indefinite
9.8Pronouns
9.9By, With, From, Of
9.10Verbs
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