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ませんでした (Polite Past Negative)

[Verb Stem]ませんでした

Explanation

Polite negative past tense.

Formation

Verb stem + ませんでした

Examples

昨日行きませんでした。
Kinou ikimasen deshita.
I didn't go yesterday.
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何も食べませんでした。
Nani mo tabemasen deshita.
I didn't eat anything.
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宿題をしませんでした。
Shukudai o shimasen deshita.
I didn't do homework.
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Usage Notes

  • Completed non-action in the past
  • Regular formation for all verbs
  • Often used with time markers
  • More polite than なかった

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 何も requires negative verb (not positive)
  • Don't forget を with transitive verbs
  • Past negative still requires past time context

Related Grammar from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"

ます-form (Polite Present/Future)

[Verb Stem]ます

Polite form for present habitual actions or future intentions.

ました (Polite Past)

[Verb Stem]ました

Polite past tense form indicating completed actions.

ません (Polite Negative)

[Verb Stem]ません

Polite negative form for present/future.

More from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"