How to Negate Indefinite Articles (un/une become de/d’)

how to negate indefinite articles

Share This Post

In this French grammar lesson, you will learn how to negate indefinite articles.

In this lesson you will learn about:

  • how to negate indefinite articles in French
  • exceptions to the rule
  • how negations of indefinite articles are used sentences
  • how you can quiz yourself on how to negate indefinite articles
  • how to practice with flashcards on how to negate indefinite articles
  • how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn French

Please refer to the French A1 Curriculum to get a better overview of French grammar, if you are curious about this fits in French A1.

By the end of the lesson, you will know all about how to negate indefinite articles!

Table of Contents

How to Negate Indefinite Articles

In this section I am going to explain how to negate indefinite articles (un and une) in French.

  • In a negation, indefinite articles (un and une) become de or d’ (in front of a vowel or mute h)

J’ai un vélo, mais je n’ai pas de voiture.

I have a bicycle, but I don’t have a car.

Il a un bureau, mais il n’a pas de chaise.

He has a desk, but he doesn’t have a chair.

Nous avons un bateau, mais ils n’ont pas de bateau.

We have a boat, but they don’t have a boat.

Vous avez un chat ? Je n’ai pas de chat.

Do you have a cat? I don’t have a cat.

Vous n’avez pas de guitare ?

You don’t have a guitar?

Please note that in French, the number 1 (un/une) is the same as a/an (un/une).

  • So, if you use the number 1 in a negation, then you don’t have to change un/une into de/d’

Je n’ai pas un frère, mais deux.

I don’t have one brother, but two.

Je n’ai pas une montre, mais deux.

I don’t have one watch, but two.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are only two expections to this rule.

  1. You don’t change du/de la/de l’/des to de or d’ in negations with the following verbs 
  • avoir l’air
  • devenir
  • demeurer
  • être
  • paraître
  • rester
  • sembler

These are called verbs of state.

There’s no need to memorise them all.

The most important ones are être (to be) and devenir (to become), as they are the verbs most often used in French.

être

Il n’est pas patient.

He is not patient.

être

Ils ne sont pas gentils.

They are not kind.

devenir

Elle ne va pas devenir amie avec vous.

She’s not going to become friends with you.

  1. Definite articles (le, la, l’, and les) do not change in negations.

J’ai les billets. Je n’ai pas les billets.

I have the tickets. I don’t have the tickets.

Definite articles are not partitive articles, but I wanted to have this in here to make sure you don’t make any mistakes with them.

Examples Sentences on How to Negate Indefinite Articles

The final section of this lesson on how to negate indefinite articles is about seeing the negations in action.

This is valuable because you can improve your understanding on how to negate indefinite articles through examples.

J’ai un vélo, mais je n’ai pas de voiture.

I have a bicycle, but I don’t have a car.

Je n’ai pas un frère, mais deux.

I don’t have one brother, but two.

Je n’ai pas une montre, mais deux.

I don’t have one watch, but two.

Tu n’as pas de manteau.

You don’t have a coat.

Il a un bureau, mais il n’a pas de chaise.

He has a desk, but he doesn’t have a chair.

être

Il n’est pas patient.

He is not patient.

devenir

Elle ne va pas devenir amie avec vous.

She’s not going to become friends with you.

Nous avons un bateau, mais ils n’ont pas de bateau.

We have a boat, but they don’t have a boat.

Vous avez un chat ? Je n’ai pas de chat.

Do you have a cat? I don’t have a cat.

Vous n’avez pas de guitare ?

You don’t have a guitar?

être

Ils ne sont pas gentils.

They are not kind.

Quiz Yourself on How to Negate Indefinite Articles

At the end of every lesson you can do a small quiz.

You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.

You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.

Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.

You can redo the quiz as many times as you want.

Fill in the Blank!

J’ai un vélo, mais je n’ai pas voiture.

I have a bicycle, but I don’t have a car.

Fill in the Blank!

Vous n’avez pas guitare ?

You don’t have a guitar?

Fill in the Blank!

Ils gentils.

They are not kind.

How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson

Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!

It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.

Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.

There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.

  1. Anki
  2. The Flashcards in our Courses

Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.

After you have downloaded Anki for free, you can get our French A1 Anki Deck.

This Anki Deck contains 3,764 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for French A1.

All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.

You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!

However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?

The Courses of Language Atlas

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?

I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.

It never really seemed to work for me.

I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.

So I thought, “why not make something myself?“.

Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.

I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be a easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.

However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.

These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.

The courses of Language Atlas have:

  • 800+ Lessons with audio
  • 800+ Quizzes
  • 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
  • A gamified way of learning a new language
  • A vibrant community (including support from me)

You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!

This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).

All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!

Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Don't miss out on any new French Lessons! You will also get a free copy of our graphical overview of all French Verb Tenses, and the French A0/A1 Anki Deck!

More To Explore

Spanish B2 Vocabulary Anki

Do you want to learn the Spanish B2 vocabulary in the most effective and efficient way possible? If so, the Spanish B2 Vocabulary Anki Deck

Spanish B1 Vocabulary Anki

Do you want to learn the Spanish B1 vocabulary in the most effective and efficient way possible? If so, the Spanish B1 Vocabulary Anki Deck

Do You have any feedback? let me know!

I would love to know how I can make learning Languages easier for you