Ne…pas · five useful patterns
1 · Keep the subject and conjugated verb
French keeps the verb form and adds the negative around it. English “do” or “does” adds no extra French verb.
Nous sommes prêts. → Nous ne sommes pas prêts.We are ready. → We are not ready.
Lina travaille ici. → Lina ne travaille pas ici.Lina works here. → Lina does not work here.
2 · Ne becomes n’ before a vowel or mute h
The apostrophe joins n’ to the next word. The subject stays: je n’aime pas.
Je n’aime pas cette idée.I do not like this idea.
Elle n’habite pas ici.She does not live here.
3 · An absent quantity usually takes de
For an unspecified thing you have none of, un, une and des usually become de, or d’ before a vowel.
J’ai une question. → Je n’ai pas de question.I have a question. → I have no questions.
Il y a des erreurs. → Il n’y a pas d’erreurs.There are mistakes. → There are no mistakes.
4 · Keep the article when identifying with être
Here the sentence says what something is, rather than how much you have.
C’est une erreur. → Ce n’est pas une erreur.It is a mistake. → It is not a mistake.
5 · A general definite article stays too
After aimer, the thing you like or dislike keeps its definite article.
J’aime la musique. → Je n’aime pas la musique.I like music. → I do not like music.