11.2.2

Negatives (2/2)

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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.

Illustrative background for Ningún, ninguno/a/os/as - none, not oneIllustrative background for Ningún, ninguno/a/os/as - none, not one ?? "content

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).
Illustrative background for Ni...ni - neither...norIllustrative background for Ni...ni - neither...nor ?? "content

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).
Illustrative background for Sino - but ratherIllustrative background for Sino - but rather ?? "content

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).
Illustrative background for Ya no - no longerIllustrative background for Ya no - no longer ?? "content

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.

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11Extra Grammar

11.1Articles

11.2Negatives

11.3Nouns

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