What is the Negative Imperative?
The negative imperative is a command form that tells someone NOT to do something in French. It uses ne + verb + pas around the command form, just like negative statements.
The negative imperative places 'ne' before the verb and 'pas' after it: ne parle pas, ne regardez pas, ne mangeons pas. The verb itself stays in the command form.
- •Parle! (Speak!)
- •Regardez! (Look!)
- •Mangeons! (Let's eat!)
- •Ne parle pas! (Don't speak!)
- •Ne regardez pas! (Don't look!)
- •Ne mangeons pas! (Let's not eat!)
Step-by-step worked examples
Write the negative imperative of 'parler' (to speak) for tu form.
Affirmative tu form: Parle! Negative: Ne parle pas!
Convert 'Regardez!' (vous form) to negative.
Affirmative vous form: Regardez! Negative: Ne regardez pas!
Make 'Mangeons!' (nous form) negative.
Affirmative nous form: Mangeons! Negative: Ne mangeons pas!
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Which is the correct negative imperative for 'parler' (tu)?
Q2.Negative imperative of 'manger' (vous)?
Q3.Convert 'Regarde!' to negative (tu form).
Q4.In negative imperative, the verb form…
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is the Negative Imperative?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Saying 'Parle ne pas' — Correct: Say 'Ne parle pas' — ne comes first, pas comes last
Using infinitive: 'Ne parler pas' — Correct: Use the imperative verb form: 'Ne parle pas'
Forgetting ne: 'Parle pas' — Correct: Always use both ne and pas: 'Ne parle pas'
Changing the verb in negative — Correct: The verb form stays the same; ne and pas just wrap around it
FAQ
What is the negative imperative?
A command that tells someone NOT to do something: ne + verb (imperative form) + pas.
Does the verb form change in negative imperative?
No — the verb stays in the imperative form; ne...pas just frames it.
Is negative imperative the same as negative statement?
Structurally yes: both use ne...pas. But imperative is a command.
Negative imperative of 'aller' (to go)?
N'allez pas! (Don't go!) — 'n' shortens before vowel.