Introduction
In French, negations are essential for forming negative sentences. The structure typically involves placing "ne" before the verb and "pas" after it.
Structure
- Affirmative Sentence:
- Je mange une pomme.
- (I am eating an apple.)
- Negative Sentence:
- Je ne mange pas de pomme.
- (I am not eating an apple.)
Examples
| Affirmative Sentence | Negative Sentence |
|---|---|
| Il parle français. | Il ne parle pas français. |
| Nous aimons le chocolat. | Nous ne aimons pas le chocolat. |
| Tu regardes la télévision. | Tu ne regardes pas la télévision. |
| Elle travaille aujourd'hui. | Elle ne travaille pas aujourd'hui. |
| Vous avez un chien. | Vous n'avez pas de chien. |
Key Points
- In negative sentences, "ne" comes before the verb and "pas" follows it.
- When the verb begins with a vowel or a silent "h," "ne" becomes "n'."
- The noun following "pas" often changes to the indefinite or partitive form (e.g., "de" instead of "un/une/des").
Practice
Convert the following sentences to their negative forms:
- Ils jouent au football.
- Marie lit un livre.
- Nous allons au cinéma.
- Je vois un film.
- Tu as un stylo.
Conclusion
Understanding how to form negative sentences with "ne" and "pas" is crucial for effective communication in French. With practice, this structure will become second nature.