Negatives (1/2)
Spanish: Cambridge International GCSE, topic 11.2.1
Negatives
We can describe when something is not there in lots of different ways:
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.
- "Nadie' takes an impersonal 'a' when it is the object of the sentence.
- No veo a nadie.
- I cannot see anyone.
- '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.
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.
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.
- 'Nunca' can also be used with other negatives.
- Nunca he visto a nadie tan alto.
- I have never seen anyone so tall.
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' 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.
Test yourself on Negatives (1/2)
How do you say 'I have never been to Madrid' in Spanish?
How do you say 'never ever' in Spanish?