What Exactly Is Denied

Level 6

Negation can apply to a whole predicate or to one contrasted phrase. In coordination, ni… ni, a repeated negative predicate or an explicit correction can make its scope clear.

How It Works

An unqualified negative predicate with an i-coordination can leave the intended alternatives unclear. If you mean neither item, say ni kavu ni čaj with a negative predicate. If only one purchase failed, state the positive and negative parts separately.

A correction can deny a constituent while retaining the event: Nije došla Ana, nego Petra. Someone did arrive; the denied part is Ana’s identity as that person. Do not interpret every initial nije as a denial of the entire scenario.

Negative coordination is not arithmetic: Ni Ana ni Marko nisu došli is one ordinary negative statement. Also distinguish ne samo A nego i B, which adds B and includes A. Read the connector and the scope of the negative expression together.

Examples (3)

  1. Nisam kupio ni kavu ni čaj.

    I bought neither coffee nor tea.

  2. Kupio sam kavu, ali nisam kupio čaj.

    I bought coffee, but I did not buy tea.

  3. Ni Ana ni Marko nisu došli.

    Neither Ana nor Marko came.

How It Connects

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

What Exactly Is DeniedLevel 6

Learn This First

Negation scope over coordinated phrases depends on the structure and the contrasted constituent.

Words in This Pattern

ni