Placing nicht (not) in simple sentences is straightforward, but what happens when you add modal verbs, the perfect tense, or subordinate clauses?
Luckily, German follows a consistent pattern: nicht prefers to sit near the end of the clause, right before the main action or the specific word it is negating.
With modal verbs
When you use a modal verb, the modal takes the second position and pushes the main infinitive verb to the end of the sentence. Place nicht immediately before that infinitive.
In the perfect tense
The perfect tense works the same way. The helping verb takes the second position, and the past participle goes to the end. Place nicht right before the past participle.
If there is a direct object in the sentence, nicht waits until after the object, sitting right before the past participle.
In subordinate clauses
Subordinating conjunctions like dass (that), weil (because), and damit (so that) kick the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause.
In these clauses, nicht is placed directly before this final verb.
If the subordinate clause uses a predicate adjective (like allergisch or laktosefrei), nicht goes right before the adjective.
