Negation and the Imperative in French
The impératif négatif(negative imperative) is often used to forbid or prohibit an action.
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Unlike the affirmative imperative, object pronouns in the negative imperative precede the verb:
In this article, you'll learn how and when to use the negative imperative in French. You'll also learn where to put object pronouns in the negative imperative. N’attendez pas pour la suite !(Don’t wait to read more!)
Questions This Article Answers
What is the negative imperative in French?
How do you negate the imperative in French?
How do you use object pronouns in the negative imperative in French?
How do you make negative commands in French?
When do you use negative commands in French?
The Negative Imperative in French
The impératif(imperative) is a mode(mood) used to give commands or express desires. When the imperative is negated, it's called the impératif négatif(negative imperative) and is often used to forbid or prohibit an action. Here are some examples of the negative imperative in French:
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Forming the Negative Imperative in French
Making the imperative negative in French is pretty straightforward! If there is no object pronoun, all you do is place neand pas(not) around the imperative verb!
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Of course, other negative words–such as rien(nothing), jamais(never), and personne(no one)–can be used instead of pas. They go exactly where they would in any other mood in French!
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Ne Is Often Dropped in Spoken French
As is the case for negation in French in general, the ne is often dropped in the negative imperative in spoken French. You might hear the examples above said in the following way:
Object Pronouns in the Negative Imperative in French
You may have learned that object pronouns in the affirmative imperative are attached to the right of the verb with a trait d'union(hyphen). The affirmative imperative is the only time object pronouns follow the verb in French! In the negative imperative, object pronouns precede the verb, with ne leading the way. This means their order resembles any other tense or mood in French.
Compare the affirmative imperative with its negative counterpart:
The Affirmative Imperative vs. the Negative Imperative
Notice how the object pronouns in green above come between ne and the verb in the negative imperative! This rule also applies to pronominal verbs. In the last example above, the reflexive pronoun vous of the pronominal verb s'asseoir(to sit down) precedes the verb in the negative imperative, as expected.
Object Pronouns Precede the Verb in the Negative Imperative
Be careful! You may feel inclined to keep the same word order for the affirmative and negative imperative! However, if there is an object pronoun, you cannot simply negate the verb. You must also move the object pronouns in front of the verb!
Review how to use object pronouns in the affirmative imperative here!
Let's take a look at a conversation between Catherine, Sylvie, and Paula.
Paula responds with the negative imperative. The object pronoun y(about it) precedes the verb but follows ne.
Catherine continues:
Sylvie responds with two object pronouns, le(it) and lui(to her), both of which precede the verb!
If there are multiple object pronouns, they follow the same order they do any other time they precede the verb!
Catherine responds using the verb phrase en vouloir à(to be mad at) in the negative imperative.
Just as we've seen before, both object pronouns precede the verb!
The Verb Vouloir
Although the verb vouloir(to want) is hardly used in the affirmative imperative, the vous form (veuillez) is commonly used to form polite, formal commands, which may translate to please in English.
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This conjugation is considered exceptional because it does not match the present indicative. In the negative imperative, the conjugations of vouloir have a tendency to match the present indicative. This can be seen in Catherine's response above with the verb phrase en vouloir à.
Need Some Practice?
Try conjugating verbs in the impératif négatif with our Conjugation Drill! With a little practice, the impératif négatif will become a natural part of your conversations in French.
Learn more about the imperative in French!
