How can I recognise and use the negative form?

At GCSE level, in the reading texts and audio passages, people often give their opinion. Learn the following structures as they will give you a good idea about whether people like something or not. Ne pas = not. Ne jamais = never. Ne plus = not anymore Ne que = only. So, ‘ne’ expresses a negative, and this is useful to listen out for to identify the speaker/author’s feelings towards something. Tip: the negative form sandwiches the verb! Let’s say the verb is ‘marcher’ (to walk), in the negative form it would be written or said as: Je ne marche pas (I do not walk). Do you see how the verb is sandwiched between 'ne' and 'pas'? Look at this table and translate the sentences below it: Je bois = I drink. Je ne bois pas = I don’t drink Je ne bois rien = I don’t drink anything Je ne bois jamais de bière = I never drink beer Je ne bois plus = I don’t drink anymore Je ne bois que de l’eau = I only drink water Translate: I never drink coke. I don’t like meat. I don’t eat anything. I only eat vegetables. I don’t eat meat anymore. 

Answered by Molly F. French tutor

1788 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How do I use the perfect tense in French?


Décris tes dernières vacances. Où et quand es-tu allé(e) en vacances ? Avec qui ? Qu’est-ce que tu as fait ? Quel temps faisait-il ?


Translate the following sentence: "C’est mon rêve d’avoir une salle de cinéma et une bibliothèque."


What is the difference between 'a' and 'à'?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences