Present and Past Verb Negatives

Use polite negative verb forms to say that something does not happen or did not happen.

Form polite present negatives with ません.Form polite past negatives with ませんでした.Use negative verbs naturally with time words and daily activities.

Guided study

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.

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.

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.

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.

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