Je ne comprends pas.
English: I do not understand.
- Language
- French
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Négation et questions
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
The 'négation simple' in French is the basic way to make a sentence negative. It usually means saying 'not' or denying something.
When to use it
Use the simple negation in French to say that something is not true, does not happen, or to deny an action or fact.
Key forms
- ne + verb + pas
- Example: Je ne sais pas.
Examples
Il ne mange pas de viande.
English: He does not eat meat.
Nous ne sommes pas prêts.
English: We are not ready.
Tu ne parles pas français.
English: You do not speak French.
Tips
- Remember to put 'ne' before the verb and 'pas' after the verb.
- With verbs starting with a vowel or silent 'h', 'ne' becomes 'n’' (e.g., Je n’aime pas).
- In spoken French, people often drop the 'ne', but in writing and exams, always use both 'ne' and 'pas'.
Exceptions and edge cases
- With compound tenses (like passé composé), 'ne' and 'pas' go around the auxiliary verb: Je n’ai pas vu.
- Some verbs use different words for negation (e.g., 'ne... jamais' for 'never').