The part of speech, which combines words that only indicate objects, their signs and quantitative characteristics, but do not name them, is the pronoun. It has eight digits, one of which is negative.
Definition of negative pronouns
According to the classification, negative pronouns include words that indicate the absence of an object or its attribute. They are formed from interrogative words using the prefixes “not” or “neither”. Moreover, “not” is always a shock, and the stress “never” never falls.
Negative Pronouns: Examples of Grammar Separation
All pronouns are divided into categories according to semantic criteria. Do they ask about something, do they call someone, do they deny something ... The discharge depends on it. But there are also grammatical signs by which they can be divided into pronouns-nouns, pronouns-numerals, pronouns-adjectives and pronouns-adverbs.
For example, “nobody” and “nothing” are negative noun pronouns, because they answer the questions “who”, “what”, they are inclined to the case, and in the sentence they serve as a subject or an addition:
- Nobody remembers homework, did I understand correctly?
- On his way, nothing will become a stone wall?
And never, nowhere, etc. - these are adverbs. They do not change, and in the sentence they carry a mission of circumstances.
For instance:
- Nowhere to go to Vladimir - and he agreed.
There are no pronouns-numerals and adjectives among the representatives of the negative category.
Features of negative pronouns
Unlike most other parts of speech, words related to the category of negative pronouns do not have a unified system of change. Some “representatives” lack a nominative case, others have no gender and number, others can boast of a complete, so to speak, set of forms, and the fourth are solid, like steel, and have one single form.
Each of the negative category pronouns is inclined in exactly the same way as the interrogative word from which it is formed.
Change of the pronouns “nothing”, “nobody”, “nothing”, “nobody”
Negative pronouns “nothing”, “nobody”, “nothing” and “nobody” can change exclusively in cases, as well as interrogative pronouns that gave them life. They have neither kind nor number. Moreover, the words "nothing" and "nobody" are never in the form of a nominative case. Their "countdown" begins with the genitive. The words “something” and “someone” are not negative pronouns, but already belong to the category of indefinite ones.
Here are examples of sentences where these pronouns are used in different cases:
- It is strange that no one expressed this painfully simple thought.
- There is nothing to be surprised - his father was like that!
- Nothing beckoned Masha to visit her grandmother, like her bedtime stories.
- There was no one to care for Vasilisa.
Change of the pronouns “nobody” and “no”
The words “nobody” and “no” indicate that the attribute is absent. Like their “prototypes” of “whose” and “which,” these pronouns have a gender, a number, and cases. Here are some examples:
- No gingerbread can now lure him there.
- There can be no talk of any indulgence.
- No parents were voiced as much criticism as her mother Petya heard.
The role of negative pronouns in a sentence
Sentences with negative pronouns are very common in both oral and written language. And these small but very important words can play a variety of roles. They have the strength and the role of the subject, and additions, and definitions, and circumstances, and even sometimes the predicate.
Here are sentences with negative pronouns in different variants:
- Nobody loves you more than mother. (Subject).
- Your name is nobody! (Predicate).
- No one's words were heard from the freeway. (Definition).
- Please do not tell the coach anything - he will be nervous. (Addition).
- Never forget her that first everyday lesson. (Circumstance).
“Not” or “neither”?
Spelling of negative pronouns can cause difficulties not only among schoolchildren, but also sometimes in adult literate people. No one is safe from the mistake. By the way, why in this case the word "nobody" in the prefix "and"?
The spelling rule “not”, “neither” in negative pronouns is very simple and easy to remember. "E" is always shock, and "and" - on the contrary.
For instance:
- nothing - nothing;
- nobody - nobody;
- nowhere - nowhere;
- once - never and so on.
Here's what it looks like in the sentences:
- After such an angry attack, there was nothing to say in response.
- Ostanin had nothing to do, and he agreed.
- There was no one to ask, so the old woman herself began to drag water from the well.
- There was no one left in the large, bright room - everyone dispersed.
- In a vast area, the apple had nowhere to fall during a rally against tariff increases.
- Nowhere can I sleep so sweetly as at home - on my own bed.
- Olga had no time to play with the child - she was preparing for an important meeting.
- Never act in a way that conscience does not order.
Negative pronouns, examples of which are given above, as well as their other "comrades" may have a single spelling, or they may be separate. And although the rule is quite easy and understandable, many here manage to make gross mistakes. So, what negative pronouns need to be written with particles “not” or “neither” together, and which separately?
Together or separately?
The rule says: “Ne” and “neither” will be prefixes and will be written with the pronoun of a negative category together, if there is no excuse between them and the root of the word (question word). If there is a pretext, then “not” and “neither” will be particles, and all three words should be written only separately.
For instance:
- nothing - about nothing;
- by anyone - not about anyone;
- nobody - no one;
- no one - no one;
- none - none, etc.
Here are illustrations of these examples in the context of sentences:
- This conversation will not end in good, it’s better not to start it before going to bed.
- Ivan did not regret anything, he understood that everything was for the better.
- No one can replace parents who have gone into eternity!
- He left and burned all the bridges - he didn’t remember anyone!
- Do not ask anyone to do your work for you.
- No one had an extra notebook for a new one, and she was upset.
- Victor set off alone because there was absolutely nobody to be.
- Anna got lost, and there was no one to ask for directions.
- No metropolitan restaurant attracted him more than that small, modest cafe in the city of childhood.
- Vaska didn’t sit with a teacher as quietly as Petrovich’s.
As can be seen from the examples, separate pronouns can only be in those pronouns that are inclined in cases. Immutable words, such as “never”, “nowhere”, etc., can not be used with pretexts, and continuous writing does not interfere.
Special cases
The Russian language is powerful, rich and sometimes insidious. Especially in relation to foreigners who can break their heads about the phrase “yes, no, probably ...” and several others like that, which simultaneously contain affirmation and denial, we rephrase: “yes, probably no.” For reference: Russian is the only language in the world where similar contradictions are allowed.
Representatives of the "family" of pronouns fall into similar "intricacies". The phrase “as if nothing had happened” is one example of such situations. This phrase is pronounced easily, in one breath. And everyone understands its meaning. But even a native of Russia is not, no, and it will reflect: “How can I write this ?!” Where is the e? Where is the “and”? Together or separately? All six words in this case are written separately, and you just need to remember this!
For instance:
- He returned and sat down in his place as if nothing had happened.
Difficulties also arise with the combinations of the words “none other than” and “no one else”. Why in the first case the particle with the pronoun is written separately and through "e", and in the second - together and through "and"?
The ball is ruled by the “how to” particle. If it is present, we write “not” and separately, if not, it means “neither” and together.
For instance:
- None other than how you just yesterday swore not to take cigarettes in your mouth!
- None other than Alena can cope with such a difficult task.
Or:
- The book is nothing more than a source of knowledge.
- In addition to virtual games, the child is not fond of anything.
Negative pronouns are one of the integral rules of the Russian language. You should not neglect them. If there is the slightest doubt about the rules for writing them, then it is better to look in the directory and check yourself. In any case, we recommend that you get a good manual in order to write negative pronouns correctly. And you don’t have to face the foreigners in the dirt if they suddenly ask you questions regarding spelling and understanding of Russian speech.