Dictionary / Grammar / Negative て-form: い-Adjective くなくて

Negative て-form: い-Adjective くなくて JLPT N5

The negative て-form of an い-adjective, for joining and giving reasons.

Formation

Drop the final い and add くなくて: 高い -> 高くなくて. Irregular: いい -> よくなくて.

Explanation

The negative くない conjugates like an い-adjective, so its て-form is くなくて (安くなくて、買わなかった, 'it wasn't cheap, so I didn't buy it').