Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Present Negative
Use ません to say that an action does not happen or will not happen. The exact meaning depends on context and time expressions such as 今日, 明日, いつも, or 今週.
Target signal
きょうは コーヒーを のみません。
I am not drinking coffee today.
ません is polite non-past negative; context decides present or future.
Vocabulary notes
- のみません
- do not drink; will not drink
- コーヒー
- coffee
- みません
- do not watch; will not see
Compare in context
あした 学校へ いきません。
I will not go to school tomorrow.
あした makes this a future negative.
Vocabulary notes
- いきません
- do not go; will not go
- あした
- tomorrow
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Compare in context
わたしは テレビを あまり みません。
I do not watch much TV.
あまり often appears with negative verbs.
Vocabulary notes
- みません
- do not watch; will not see
- あまり
- not very; not much
- テレビ
- TV; television
Section 2 of 3
Past Negative
Use ませんでした to say an action did not happen in the past. This form is especially common in diaries, simple reports, and conversation about yesterday or last week.
Target signal
きのうは べんきょうしませんでした。
I did not study yesterday.
ませんでした is the polite past negative.
Vocabulary notes
- べんきょうしませんでした
- did not study
- べんきょう
- study; studying
- きのう
- yesterday
Preview
日曜日に うちを でませんでした。
I did not leave home on Sunday.
The negative shows the action did not happen on that day.
Vocabulary notes
- でませんでした
- did not leave; did not go out
- でした
- was; were (polite)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Preview
先週は その 店へ いきませんでした。
I did not go to that store last week.
Time words like 先週 help signal the past meaning quickly.
Vocabulary notes
- いきませんでした
- did not go
- いきません
- do not go; will not go
- でした
- was; were (polite)
Section 3 of 3
Reading in Context
Negative verbs are often supported by time words. Look for the time expression first, then read the verb ending to decide whether the action does not happen now or did not happen before.
Target signal
A: きのう えいがを みましたか。 B: いいえ、みませんでした。
A: Did you watch a movie yesterday? B: No, I did not.
The short answer repeats the past negative form.
Vocabulary notes
- みませんでした
- did not watch; did not see
- みません
- do not watch; will not see
- いいえ
- no
Preview
わたしは あさごはんを たべませんが、コーヒーは のみます。
I do not eat breakfast, but I do drink coffee.
〜ませんが contrasts a negative habit with a positive one.
Vocabulary notes
- あさごはん
- breakfast
- たべません
- do not eat; will not eat
- コーヒー
- coffee