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Plain negative
Definition
The plain negative grammar pattern 〜ない is used to express negation in informal speech, subordinate clauses, and compound expressions. It is formed by changing the verb's final vowel to あ-row + ない for ichidan verbs and dropping る and adding ない for godan verbs. This pattern is commonly used in casual conversations and is often confused with the past negative pattern なかった. The plain negative pattern is used to express a general negation, whereas なかった is used to express a negation that occurred in the past.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ichidan verbs | Change final vowel to あ-row + ない | 食べる → 食べない |
| Godan verbs | Drop る and add ない | 食べる → 食べない |
| U-verbs | Change final vowel to あ-row + ない | 見る → 見ない |
Examples
友だち：「明日、来る？」あなた：「ごめん、来ない。"
Tomo-dachi: "Ashita, kuru?" Anata: "Gomen, konai."
Friend: "Will you come tomorrow?" Me: "Sorry, I won't come."
友だち: "明日、来る?" (Friend: "Will you come tomorrow?") あなた: "ごめん、来ない。" (Me: "Sorry, I won't come.")
この本は全然読めない。
Kono hon wa zenzen yomenai.
I can't read this book at all.
この本は (This book is) 全然 (not at all) 読めない (can't read)
朝ごはんを食べないで学校に行った。
Asa gohan o tabenai de gakkō ni itta.
I went to school without eating breakfast.
朝ごはんを (without eating breakfast) 食べないで (not eating) 学校に行った (went to school)
Context
The plain negative pattern 〜ない is used in informal speech, subordinate clauses, and compound expressions. It is not used in polite contexts, where ません is expected. This pattern is often confused with the past negative pattern なかった, but they have different meanings and uses.
Watch out
〜ない is used in informal speech, whereas ません is used in polite contexts.
〜ない is used for general negation, whereas なかった is used for past negation.
U-verbs require a different formation rule than ichidan and godan verbs.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and the formation rule used. Make sure to use the correct pattern for the given situation.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜ない used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
友だち：「明日、来る？」あなた：「ごめん、行かない。」
Pattern used: 行かない
The friend uses casual speech (来る？). The response should match with casual negative 〜ない, not polite ません.
この本は全然おもしろくない。
Pattern used: おもしろくない
い-adjective negative: drop い and add くない. おもしろい → おもしろくない. This is a present-tense casual negative.
朝ごはんを食べないで学校に行った。
Pattern used: 食べない
〜ないで means 'without doing'. The speaker went to school without eating breakfast. This is a compound form using ない.
Interactive
友だち：「明日、来る？」あなた：「ごめん、______。」
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.