DELF A1 grammar: present tense, negatives and questions
Turn one simple statement into a negative and a question.
In short
6 words and phrases with examples, and a 3-question quiz.
On this page
Make a statement
regular -er verbs
Remove -er, then add the ending for the person.
More examples
For parler: je parle, tu parles, il/elle/on parle, nous parlons, vous parlez, ils/elles parlent. Aller is not regular.
aller / faire
Two everyday irregular verbs: go and do/make.
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Aller: vais, vas, va, allons, allez, vont. Faire: fais, fais, fait, faisons, faites, font.
Make it negative
ne … pas
Put ne before the verb and pas after it.
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Use n’ before a vowel or mute h. Keep ne/n’ and pas in standard written French.
pas de / pas d’
Un, une and des usually become de after a negative verb.
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Before a vowel use d’. This change does not apply after être: ce n’est pas un problème.
Ask a question
est-ce que / est-ce qu’
A clear way to ask a yes/no question.
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Keep normal subject–verb order after the question starter.
où / quand / comment
Where, when and how.
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In everyday speech, the question word can come last. Use one question pattern at a time.
Quick practice
Try it yourself
Choose an answer, then check it.
Choose the correct form with nous.
Now make it yours
Make three versions of one idea.
- Write a present-tense statement.
- Make it negative.
- Ask whether it is true.
See one possible answer
When is your exam?
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Use this in a lesson
- Read the examplesRead together, then hide the English for recall.
- Work in pairsLearner A gives a statement. Learner B makes it negative, then asks a question about it. Switch the subject from je to nous for a second round.
- Check togetherCompare answers and discuss why they fit.