Negation: ne … pas
Wrapping the verb with ne … pas
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Wrapping the verb with ne … pas
To negate, put ne before the verb and pas after it: Je ne suis pas français. Spoken French often drops ne and keeps pas.
Examples in context
Read the examples and compare their English meanings.
Basic Negation
Wrap the verb with ne and pas.
Je ne parle pas français.
I do not speak French.
Spoken Shortcut
Native speakers often drop the ne.
Je parle pas français.
I don't speak French.
Common mix-ups
The 'ne' must go before the verb, and 'pas' must go after it.
I am not French.
Try a reply
Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.
I do not have a car. Include ne.
Show one possible answer
Je n'ai pas de voiture.
Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.
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