ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of negation in the German grammar. There are various ways of negating a sentence in German, the most common being the use of nicht and kein. Most sentences in German are made negative by the use of nicht. The position of nicht needs particular attention, as it very much depends on the nature of the other elements in the sentence. Kein is used, instead of nicht, to negate an indefinite noun (i.e. a noun which appears with an indefinite article or with no article at all) and takes the place of the indefinite article. When the noun is omitted but understood, kein - can stand in for the noun, in which case it takes the same endings as it would have done if the noun had been present. The chapter is designed for both classroom use and independent study, providing step-by-step approach to negation and multiple exercises for the students to rehearse and practice themselves.
