Dictionary / Grammar / Negative て-form: Verb なくて

Negative て-form: Verb なくて JLPT N5

The negative counterpart of the て-form: joins clauses and gives reasons in the negative.

Formation

Verb (ない-stem) + なくて: 書く -> 書かなくて, 食べる -> 食べなくて; する -> しなくて, 来る -> 来なくて. It is the て-form of the negative ない.

Explanation

Because the plain negative ない conjugates like an い-adjective, its て-form is なくて (parallel to 高い -> 高くて). It connects clauses and states a negative reason ('食べなくて、お腹がすいた'). Do not confuse it with ないで, which means 'without doing' or forms a negative request.