Questions & Answers about Η γυναίκα δεν ξεχνάει ποτέ το σχέδιο.
Why is the negative particle δεν used here and not μην?
Use δεν for ordinary (indicative) statements: facts and descriptions. Use μη(ν) with the subjunctive/imperative: after να, ας, in prohibitions or wishes.
- Indicative: Δεν ξεχνάει. (She doesn’t forget.)
- Subjunctive/imperative: Να μην ξεχάσεις. / Μην ξεχνάς! (Don’t forget.)
Where does ποτέ go? Is Δεν … ποτέ the only option?
The default is after the verb: Δεν ξεχνάει ποτέ … You can front it for emphasis: Ποτέ δεν ξεχνάει … Both are standard. You can also place it near the end for focus: Δεν ξεχνάει το σχέδιο ποτέ. Fronted Ποτέ is more emphatic.
Does ποτέ always need negation? And what’s the difference between ποτέ and πότε?
- In statements, ποτέ typically goes with negation (δεν) and means “never”: Δεν πίνει ποτέ καφέ.
- In questions/conditionals, without negation, it means “ever/at any time”: Έχεις ποτέ ξεχάσει…; / Αν ποτέ ξεχάσεις…
- πότε (stress on the first syllable) means “when?”: Πότε έρχεσαι;
- ποτέ (stress on the last) means “ever/never.”