Je n'ai pas de stylo.
English: I do not have a pen.
- Language
- French
- Level
- A2
- Unit
- Négation et questions
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Negation with articles in French means how to say 'no' or 'not' with nouns, especially how the articles (un, une, des, du, de la, de l') change in negative sentences.
When to use it
Use this when you want to say you do not have, eat, want, or see something. In negative sentences, most articles change to 'de' or 'd'' before a noun.
Key forms
- ne ... pas + de (instead of un, une, des, du, de la, de l')
- Example: Je mange une pomme → Je ne mange pas de pomme.
Examples
Il ne mange pas de viande.
English: He does not eat meat.
Nous n'avons pas de chien.
English: We do not have a dog.
Elle ne boit pas d'eau.
English: She does not drink water.
Tips
- After 'ne ... pas', always use 'de' or 'd'' before the noun, even if the positive sentence uses 'un', 'une', 'des', 'du', 'de la', or 'de l''.
- Do not use 'des' or 'du' after 'ne ... pas'.
- Remember to use 'd'' before a vowel sound (ex: d'eau).
Exceptions and edge cases
- With the verb 'être', the article does not change: C'est un livre → Ce n'est pas un livre.
- Some expressions (like 'ne ... jamais', 'ne ... plus') follow the same rule as 'ne ... pas'.