In French, to make a sentence negative, you typically surround the verb with two parts: ne and pas. For example:
- Je parle (I speak) becomes Je ne parle pas (I do not speak).
If the verb begins with a vowel, ne becomes n’ for easier pronunciation:
- Il aime → Il n’aime pas.
There are other negative expressions formed similarly:
- ne...jamais = never (Je ne fume jamais – I never smoke)
- ne...rien = nothing (Je ne vois rien – I see nothing)
- ne...plus = no longer (Il ne travaille plus – He no longer works)
- ne...personne = no one (Je ne connais personne – I know no one)
Remember, in spoken French, the ne is often dropped, but it’s important to include it in writing.
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Table of Contents
- Simple Negations (ne…pas)
Simple French negations using ne…pas, including how to form them, common examples, and usage tips.
- Other Negations (ne…plus, ne…jamais, etc.)
Explains French negative constructions beyond ne…pas, including ne…plus (no longer), ne…jamais (never), and others, with examples.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
