Negation

Negation

  • In French, the negation is formed by placing two words usually between a conjugated verb in order to express the opposite of the affirmative.
  • There are many forms of negation that is used in French to not only express the opposition but other forms of expression.
  • Note: Ne contracts to N’ when there is a vowel or a silent h after it.
  • Note: Ne…aucun(e) agrees in gender according to the noun it is dealing with.
  • Here’s a list of negations:
NegationMeaningExample sentenceTranslation
Ne…pasNotNous ne dansons pas.We don’t dance.
Ne…plusNo longer; anymoreJe ne sais plus.I don’t know anymore.
Ne…jamaisNeverJe ne suis jamais en retard.I am never late.
Ne…queOnlyElles n’ont que deux chat.They only have two cats.
Ne…rienNothing; anythingVous ne mangez rien.You eat nothing.
Ne…personneNo one; anybodyTu ne vois personne.You don’t see anyone.
Ne…aucun(e)NoJ’ai aucune idée.I have no idea.
Ne…ni…niNeither…norIls ne voient ni Antoine ni Sofia.They do not see neither Antoine nor Sofie.
Ne…nulle partNowhere; anywhereIl ne va nulle part.He does not go anywhere.
Ne…pas du toutNot at allElle n’est pas du tout gentille.She is not at all nice.