Negative sentences in Maori grammar typically utilize the word ‘kare’ or ‘kāore’ to signify negation. This is used much in the same way as ‘not’ is used in English. The word will normally appear before the verb in the sentence, creating a negative sentence structure. Understanding and using negatives in Maori is crucial for a well-rounded understanding of the language.
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct Maori negative form (kare or kāore)
1. *Kare* rātou i haere ki te wharekura i tēnei rā. (They)
2. E *Kāore* ana ahau e inu wai. (I)
3. *Kāore* koe e taea te pōkiro. (You)
4. *Kare* e whiwhi kōrero ahau. (Get)
5. E *Kāore* ana a Mere e ako i te reo. (Learning)
6. *Kare* e whakaae a Tama ki taua whakaaro. (Agree)
7. *Kāore* tōku pēpi e moe i tēnei pō. (Sleeping)
8. *Kare* au i kite i a Rangi i te ata. (saw)
9. *Kāore* i hiahia pupuri i tēnei. (Want)
10. *Kare* e whānau anō a Hemi. (Born)
11. *Kāore* i whawhai i te whawhai. (Fight)
12. *Kare* e whai whakaaro ahau ki tēnā. (Thinking)
13. *Kāore* tātou i whakaputa i te whare. (Leaving)
14. *Kare* e kai ahau i te kai. (Eating)
15. *Kāore* i pīrangi ahau ki te ako. (Wanted)
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the correct Maori negative form (kare or kāore)
1. *Kāore* e kori tōku ngaru. (Moving)
2. *Kare* e ū ki a ia. (Stay)
3. E *Kāore* tātou e haere ki te wharekura. (Go)
4. *Kare* e pai ki ahau te whakatōhi. (Like)
5. E *Kāore* ana ahau e moe. (Sleeping)
6. *Kare* rātou i pānui i te pukapuka. (Read)
7. *Kāore* e tū ahau i te rongopai. (Stand)
8. *Kare* e whakapau whara ahau . (Spend)
9. *Kāore* e ako ahau i te reo. (Learning)
10. *Kare* e whakaae ahau ki tērā. (Agree)
11. *Kāore* e whakairohia te wharepaku. (Decorate)
12. *Kare* e hopu ahau i te kēmu. (Catch)
13. *Kāore* tēnei e noho pai ki a koutou. (Sit)
14. *Kare* e mōhio ahau ki a ia. (Know)
15. *Kāore* e kōrero ahau mō tāna. (Talk)
