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Impératif négatif
Telling someone not to do something is called, logically enough, a negative command.
Par exemple…
| N’avancez pas ! | Do not advance! | |
| Ne parle pas si fort. | Don’t speak so loudly. | |
| Ne soyons pas en retard. | Let’s not be late. |
Imperative conjugations
Word order
Word order with negative commands follows the same rules as virtually* all other verb tenses and moods:
- Ne precedes the verb and pas or another negative adverb follows it.
- Any object, reflexive, and adverbial pronouns go between ne and the verb.
Par exemple…
| Ne le regarde pas. | Don’t look at him. | |
| Ne nous en parlez jamais. | Don’t ever talk to us about that. |
What about when there are two pronouns, as in the second example? See Double pronoun order
* Affirmative commands are the only French verb form that requires a different word order.
Imperative Quizzes
Think you’ve got it? Test yourself on the French imperative with these fill-in-the-blanks exercises:
Conseils de prévention contre le coronavirus Recette de gel hydro-alcoolique Le règlement de la piscine
Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to take these tests. If you don’t have one, sign up – it’s free!
Related lessons
- Affirmative imperative
- Imperative conjugations
- Imperative lessons – PwLF super list
- Giving orders
- Negative adverbs
- Object pronouns
- Verb mood
French lesson plans
- Simon dit ! (Simon says!) (Lesson, 5th-8th grade)
En español
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The mountain of French verb conjugations you have to learn can be overwhelming – even just in the classroom where you have plenty of time to think about the correct response. Once you start talking to people in the real world, trying to figure out the appropriate verb conjugation can leave you speechless – literally. So what’s the solution? Learn, then practice, practice, practice!
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