Negating Past Events with ما
To state that an action did not happen, place ما directly before a past tense verb. The verb does not change form.
| not (negating a past verb or a sentence) | ماmâ |
| I did not steal the wallet. | ما سرقت المحفظة.mâ saraqtu al-mahfazata |
| I did not lie to the police. | ما كذبت على الشرطة.mâ kadhabtu 'alâ ash-shurtati |
Emphasizing with أبدا
To strongly deny an accusation, add أبدا (at all) to the end of the sentence.
| never / (not) at all | أبداabadan |
| I did not take the money at all. | ما أخذت المال أبدا.mâ akhadhtu al-mâla abadan |
| He did not steal my wallet at all. | هو ما سرق محفظتي أبدا.huwa mâ saraqa mahfazatî abadan |
Setting the Record Straight
You can use ما to contrast false assumptions with the truth, or use it multiple times to list things that did not occur.
| I knew the truth, I did not lie. | عرفت الحقيقة، ما كذبت.'araftu l-haqîqata, mâ kadhabtu. |
| The boy did not break the window, and he did not escape. | ما كسر الولد النافذة، وما هرب.mâ kasara alwaladu annâfidhata, wa mâ haraba. |
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