An introduction to Japanese - Syntax, Grammar & Language

3.1. REVISITS AND SIMPLE INFLECTIONS 97

affirmative negative

present plain x

polite x

past plain x

polite x

(while theoretically can have negative forms, they need preĴy

specific context before they make any sense)

Then the verbs. While the polite forms are the same for the two
verb classes (as well as the irregular verbs), all forms are listed here for
completeness.
First, verbs, except for :

affirmative negative

present plain +

polite + +

past plain + (c) +

polite + +

(In this scheme, (c) indicates that a contraction occurs, depending on

whether it’s a , , , , , , or verb.

It should also be noted that the verb

has an irregular past tense:

instead of .)

For , the scheme is subtly different:

affirmative negative

present plain

polite + +

past plain + (c)

polite + +

Second, verbs including

affirmative negative

present plain +

polite + +

past plain + +

polite + +