Learn Hardcore French: Ce soir, je ne veux plus travailler sur mon ordinateur portable. - Tonight, I no longer want to work on my laptop.

Ce soir means tonight. Placing it at the beginning of the sentence establishes the time frame for when the action (or the change in desire) is taking effect, much like starting a sentence with “Tonight…” in English.

How is the negation formed in this sentence with ne … plus, and what does it signify?

The negation here is built with ne before the verb veux and plus immediately after it. Combined, ne … plus means no longer or not anymore. In this sentence, it indicates that the speaker no longer wants to work on their laptop.

What does ordinateur portable refer to, and how does it compare to the English term laptop?

Ordinateur portable literally translates to portable computer, which is the French equivalent of laptop. It specifically describes a computer designed to be easily moved around.

Why is the preposition sur used before mon ordinateur portable?

The preposition sur means on in English, indicating the device through which the action is performed. Here, travailler sur mon ordinateur portable translates to work on my laptop, specifying that the laptop is the medium used for working.

What is the role of veux in this sentence and what does it tell us about the speaker’s intention?

Veux is the first-person singular present form of the verb vouloir (to want). In this sentence, it expresses the speaker’s desire—or in this negative construction, the absence of that desire—to work on their laptop tonight.

Would the meaning change if Ce soir were moved to a different position in the sentence?

Not significantly. Although starting with Ce soir emphasizes the timing right away, you could say, for example, Je ne veux plus travailler sur mon ordinateur portable ce soir. The overall meaning remains the same, though the emphasis on the timing might shift slightly.