Using negations with infinitive verbs in French indirect speech (French Negations)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2024-01-15
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In French, negations behave a specific way when an infinitive verb is used in Indirect Speech.

Negations with infinitive verbs in Indirect Speech in French

Look at the sentences:

Le professeur dit de ne pas courirThe teacher says not to run

Il est important de ne pas bouger.It is important not to move.

Il m'a appris à ne pas avoir peur.He taught me not to be scared.

J'espère ne pas faire d'erreurs.I hope not to make a mistake.

Note that if a sentence has two verbs but it's the infinitive verb (a verb that's not conjugated) that requires negation, ne pas goes before the infinitive rather than around it.

Note: If there is a pronoun before the infinitive, ne pas precedes it.

Ma mère m'a dit de ne pas le faireMy mother told me not to do it

Je t'ai demandé de ne pas lui dire.I asked you not to tell him.

 

See also Position of French Negations - with conjugated verb + infinitive 

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Examples and resources

Je t'ai demandé de ne pas lui dire.I asked you not to tell him.
Le professeur dit de ne pas courirThe teacher says not to run
Il est important de ne pas bouger.It is important not to move.
Il m'a appris à ne pas avoir peur.He taught me not to be scared.
J'espère ne pas faire d'erreurs.I hope not to make a mistake.

when there is a pronoun before the infinitive

Ma mère m'a dit de ne pas le faireMy mother told me not to do it
Let me take a look at that...