Where không goes with đã, đang, sẽ

negation with time words

Pattern: ([time word]) + [person] + (cũng) + (đã / sẽ) + không + [verb]

A1 · estimate

Không goes after sẽ and đã, right before the verb: Tôi sẽ không đi. I won't go. It's the same order as English "will not".

Sẽ không is the everyday "won't", and it often sounds like a decision or a promise: Em sẽ không quên. I won't forget. With a future time word, plain không is just as common: Mai tôi không đi làm. I'm not going to work tomorrow.

Đã không means "didn't", but it's used less than English speakers expect. With a past time word, plain không is enough: Hôm qua em không đi học. Đã không adds weight, often for something that should have happened and didn't: Anh đã không gọi. You didn't call. For "haven't yet", use chưa instead: Tôi chưa ăn.

Cũng (also, either) goes in front of them all: Tôi cũng sẽ không đi. I won't go either.

With đang, the order is less settled. For a state right now, đang không is heard: Em đang không vui. I'm not happy right now. For an action, people usually leave đang out: Tôi không làm gì. I'm not doing anything.

Examples

  • Mai tôi sẽ không đi làm.

    I won't go to work tomorrow.

  • Em sẽ không quên đâu.

    I won't forget, I promise.

  • Hôm qua em không đi học.

    I didn't go to class yesterday.

  • Anh đã không gọi cho em.

    You didn't call me.

  • Tôi cũng sẽ không đi.

    I won't go either.

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