8.9.2

Negatives (2/2)

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Two verbs

In the two verbs, for example the perfect tense, the 'ne...pas' or other negatives 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.

Infinitives

To make an infinitive negative, you put the negative (e.g. 'ne pas') before the infinitive. This is only when the negative refers to the infinitive.

Illustrative background for Ne pasIllustrative background for Ne pas ?? "content

Ne pas

  • Je préfère ne pas parler de la méteo.
    • I prefer to not speak about the weather.
    • Here the negative refers to speak.
Illustrative background for Other negativesIllustrative background for Other negatives ?? "content

Other negatives

  • J'aime ne rien faire.
    • I like to do nothing.
    • Here the negative refers to 'faire'.
  • Il était heureux de ne plus avoir besoin d'aller à l'école.
    • He was happy that he no longer needed to go to school.
    • Here, the negative refers to 'needing to'.

Jump to other topics

1Home & Abroad

2Education & Employment

3Personal Life & Relationships

4The World Around Us

5Social Activities, Fitness & Health

6Common Tenses

7Advanced Tenses

8Extra Grammar

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