Negative Past Statements

Level 2

A negative perfect uses the negative auxiliary biti and the normal agreeing past participle. Nisam čitao means I did not read or was not reading.

How It Works

The negative series is nisam, nisi, nije, nismo, niste, nisu. Combine the appropriate form with a participle: Nismo čekali. or Ana nije došla.

The participle still matches its subject. A male speaker says Nisam razumio.; a female speaker says Nisam razumjela. Negation does not make that agreement disappear.

Reflexive se remains when required: Nije se vratila. Unlike the omitted affirmative je in Ana se vratila, negative nije is retained. Place object pronouns according to normal clitic rules: Nisam ga vidio.

Examples (4)

  1. Nisam čitao jučer.

    I did not read yesterday.

    A male speaker uses nisam plus čitao.

  2. Ana nije došla.

    Ana did not come.

    Nije combines with feminine došla.

  3. Nismo ih vidjeli.

    We did not see them.

    Ih remains an object clitic.

  4. Nije se vratila.

    She did not return.

    Negative nije stays with reflexive se.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Negative Past StatementsLevel 2

Learn This First

Negative perfect sentences combine participle agreement with the negative biti paradigm.

Words in This Pattern

biti