diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/additive_expression.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/additive_expression.rs
index 856933c..6e2773c 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/ast/additive_expression.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/additive_expression.rs
@@ -21,6 +21,14 @@ impl AdditiveExpression {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn lhs(&self) -> &Expression {
+        &self.lhs
+    }
+
+    pub fn rhs(&self) -> &Expression {
+        &self.rhs
+    }
+
     pub fn gather_declared_names(
         &mut self,
         symbol_table: &mut SymbolTable,
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/expression.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/expression.rs
index 3ad63da..c8ee0ff 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/ast/expression.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/expression.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,9 @@ use crate::ast::call::Call;
 use crate::ast::identifier::Identifier;
 use crate::ast::integer_literal::IntegerLiteral;
 use crate::ast::ir_builder::IrBuilder;
+use crate::ast::negative_expression::NegativeExpression;
 use crate::ast::string_literal::StringLiteral;
+use crate::ast::subtract_expression::SubtractExpression;
 use crate::diagnostic::Diagnostic;
 use crate::ir::ir_assign::IrAssign;
 use crate::ir::ir_expression::IrExpression;
@@ -22,6 +24,8 @@ pub enum Expression {
     String(StringLiteral),
     Identifier(Identifier),
     Additive(AdditiveExpression),
+    Subtract(SubtractExpression),
+    Negative(NegativeExpression),
 }
 
 impl Expression {
@@ -79,6 +83,8 @@ impl Expression {
             Expression::String(_) => TypeInfo::String,
             Expression::Identifier(identifier) => identifier.type_info(),
             Expression::Additive(additive_expression) => additive_expression.type_info(),
+            Expression::Subtract(subtract_expression) => todo!(),
+            Expression::Negative(_) => todo!(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -89,6 +95,8 @@ impl Expression {
             Expression::String(string_literal) => string_literal.source_range(),
             Expression::Identifier(identifier) => identifier.source_range(),
             Expression::Additive(additive_expression) => additive_expression.source_range(),
+            Expression::Subtract(subtract_expression) => subtract_expression.source_range(),
+            Expression::Negative(negative_expression) => negative_expression.source_range(),
         }
     }
 
@@ -143,6 +151,8 @@ impl Expression {
                     .add_statement(IrStatement::Assign(assign));
                 Some(IrExpression::Variable(as_rc))
             }
+            Expression::Subtract(subtract_expression) => todo!(),
+            Expression::Negative(_) => todo!(),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/let_statement.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/let_statement.rs
index b326e02..9e79af9 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/ast/let_statement.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/let_statement.rs
@@ -101,6 +101,8 @@ impl LetStatement {
             Expression::Additive(additive_expression) => {
                 IrOperation::Add(additive_expression.to_ir(builder, symbol_table))
             }
+            Expression::Subtract(subtract_expression) => todo!(),
+            Expression::Negative(_) => todo!(),
         };
 
         let destination_symbol =
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/mod.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/mod.rs
index 09bb6d8..0f0d6c3 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/ast/mod.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/mod.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ pub mod integer_literal;
 pub mod ir_builder;
 pub mod let_statement;
 pub mod module_level_declaration;
+pub mod negative_expression;
 pub mod parameter;
 pub mod statement;
 pub mod string_literal;
+pub mod subtract_expression;
 pub mod type_use;
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/negative_expression.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/negative_expression.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bc96396
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/negative_expression.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+use crate::ast::expression::Expression;
+use crate::source_range::SourceRange;
+
+pub struct NegativeExpression {
+    operand: Box<Expression>,
+    source_range: SourceRange,
+}
+
+impl NegativeExpression {
+    pub fn new(operand: Expression, source_range: SourceRange) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            operand: operand.into(),
+            source_range,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn source_range(&self) -> &SourceRange {
+        &self.source_range
+    }
+
+    pub fn operand(&self) -> &Expression {
+        &self.operand
+    }
+
+    pub fn operand_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Expression {
+        &mut self.operand
+    }
+}
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/ast/subtract_expression.rs b/dmc-lib/src/ast/subtract_expression.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06a06c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/ast/subtract_expression.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+use crate::ast::expression::Expression;
+use crate::source_range::SourceRange;
+
+pub struct SubtractExpression {
+    lhs: Box<Expression>,
+    rhs: Box<Expression>,
+    source_range: SourceRange,
+}
+
+impl SubtractExpression {
+    pub fn new(lhs: Expression, rhs: Expression, source_range: SourceRange) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            lhs: lhs.into(),
+            rhs: rhs.into(),
+            source_range,
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn lhs(&self) -> &Expression {
+        &self.lhs
+    }
+
+    pub fn rhs(&self) -> &Expression {
+        &self.rhs
+    }
+
+    pub fn source_range(&self) -> &SourceRange {
+        &self.source_range
+    }
+}
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/lexer.rs b/dmc-lib/src/lexer.rs
index 7acaa43..53df915 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/lexer.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/lexer.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ impl<'a> Lexer<'a> {
 
         let token = if chunk.starts_with("->") {
             Token::new(self.position, self.position + 2, TokenKind::RightArrow)
+        } else if chunk.starts_with("-") {
+            Token::new(self.position, self.position + 1, TokenKind::Minus)
         } else if chunk.starts_with("(") {
             Token::new(self.position, self.position + 1, TokenKind::LeftParentheses)
         } else if chunk.starts_with(")") {
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/parser.rs b/dmc-lib/src/parser.rs
index 42108fd..cb6cedd 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/parser.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/parser.rs
@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ use crate::ast::identifier::Identifier;
 use crate::ast::integer_literal::IntegerLiteral;
 use crate::ast::let_statement::LetStatement;
 use crate::ast::module_level_declaration::ModuleLevelDeclaration;
+use crate::ast::negative_expression::NegativeExpression;
 use crate::ast::parameter::Parameter;
 use crate::ast::statement::Statement;
 use crate::ast::string_literal::StringLiteral;
+use crate::ast::subtract_expression::SubtractExpression;
 use crate::ast::type_use::TypeUse;
 use crate::diagnostic::Diagnostic;
 use crate::lexer::Lexer;
@@ -24,6 +26,12 @@ pub fn parse_compilation_unit(input: &str) -> Result<CompilationUnit, Vec<Diagno
     parser.compilation_unit()
 }
 
+pub fn parse_expression(input: &str) -> Result<Expression, Vec<Diagnostic>> {
+    let mut parser = Parser::new(input);
+    parser.advance(); // get started
+    parser.expression()
+}
+
 struct Parser<'a> {
     input: &'a str,
     lexer: Lexer<'a>,
@@ -391,24 +399,63 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
     }
 
     fn additive_expression(&mut self) -> Result<Expression, Vec<Diagnostic>> {
-        let mut result = self.suffix_expression()?;
+        let mut result = self.prefix_expression()?;
         while self.current.is_some() {
             let current = self.get_current();
             match current.kind() {
                 TokenKind::Plus => {
                     self.advance(); // plus
-                    let rhs = self.suffix_expression()?;
+                    let rhs = self.prefix_expression()?;
                     let source_range =
                         SourceRange::new(result.source_range().start(), rhs.source_range().end());
                     result =
                         Expression::Additive(AdditiveExpression::new(result, rhs, source_range));
                 }
+                TokenKind::Minus => {
+                    self.advance(); // minus
+                    let rhs = self.prefix_expression()?;
+                    let source_range =
+                        SourceRange::new(result.source_range().start(), rhs.source_range().end());
+                    result =
+                        Expression::Subtract(SubtractExpression::new(result, rhs, source_range));
+                }
                 _ => break,
             }
         }
         Ok(result)
     }
 
+    fn prefix_expression(&mut self) -> Result<Expression, Vec<Diagnostic>> {
+        // first, collect all consecutive operators
+        let mut operator_tokens = vec![];
+        while self.current.is_some() {
+            let current = self.get_current();
+            match current.kind() {
+                TokenKind::Minus => {
+                    operator_tokens.push(current.clone()); // unfortunately necessary
+                    self.advance();
+                }
+                _ => break,
+            }
+        }
+
+        // now go in reverse and build up expressions
+        // the parser is currently just after the prefix operators, so we need a suffix expression
+        // as a base
+        let mut result = self.suffix_expression()?;
+        while let Some(operator_token) = operator_tokens.pop() {
+            let source_range =
+                SourceRange::new(operator_token.start(), result.source_range().end());
+            match operator_token.kind() {
+                TokenKind::Minus => {
+                    result = Expression::Negative(NegativeExpression::new(result, source_range));
+                }
+                _ => unreachable!(),
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(result)
+    }
+
     fn suffix_expression(&mut self) -> Result<Expression, Vec<Diagnostic>> {
         let mut result = self.expression_base()?;
         while self.current.is_some() {
@@ -453,7 +500,7 @@ impl<'a> Parser<'a> {
                     source_range,
                 )))
             }
-            _ => unreachable!(),
+            _ => unreachable!("Unreachable token type found: {:?}", current.kind()),
         }
     }
 
@@ -539,24 +586,90 @@ mod smoke_tests {
     fn add_two_numbers() {
         smoke_test("fn main() 1 + 2 end");
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn negative_return() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int -1 end");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn negative_left_add() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int -1 + 1 end");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn negative_right_add() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int 1 + -1 end");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn two_negatives() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int -1 + -1 end");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn minus_positive_number() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int 1 - 1 end");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn minus_negative_number() {
+        smoke_test("fn main() -> Int 1 - -1 end");
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod concrete_tests {
     use super::*;
 
-    #[test]
-    fn parses_extern_fn() {
-        let parse_result = parse_compilation_unit("extern fn println() -> Void");
-        let compilation_unit = match parse_result {
+    fn report_diagnostics(diagnostics: &[Diagnostic]) -> ! {
+        for diagnostic in diagnostics {
+            eprintln!("{:?}", diagnostic);
+        }
+        panic!();
+    }
+
+    fn assert_compilation_unit(input: &str) -> CompilationUnit {
+        let parse_result = parse_compilation_unit(input);
+        match parse_result {
             Ok(compilation_unit) => compilation_unit,
             Err(diagnostics) => {
-                for diagnostic in diagnostics {
-                    eprintln!("{:?}", diagnostic);
-                }
-                panic!();
+                report_diagnostics(&diagnostics);
             }
-        };
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn assert_expression(input: &str) -> Expression {
+        let parse_result = parse_expression(input);
+        match parse_result {
+            Ok(expression) => expression,
+            Err(diagnostics) => {
+                report_diagnostics(&diagnostics);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn assert_function_in<'a>(
+        compilation_unit: &'a CompilationUnit,
+        function_name: &str,
+    ) -> &'a Function {
+        let declarations = compilation_unit.declarations();
+        for declaration in declarations {
+            match declaration {
+                ModuleLevelDeclaration::Function(function) => {
+                    if function.declared_name() == function_name {
+                        return function;
+                    }
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+        panic!("Function {} not found", function_name)
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parses_extern_fn() {
+        let compilation_unit = assert_compilation_unit("extern fn println() -> Void");
         let declarations = compilation_unit.declarations();
         assert_eq!(declarations.len(), 1);
         let extern_function = match &declarations[0] {
@@ -568,23 +681,8 @@ mod concrete_tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn hello_world() {
-        let parse_result = parse_compilation_unit("fn main() println(\"Hello, World!\") end");
-        let compilation_unit = match parse_result {
-            Ok(compilation_unit) => compilation_unit,
-            Err(diagnostics) => {
-                for diagnostic in &diagnostics {
-                    eprintln!("{:?}", diagnostic)
-                }
-                panic!()
-            }
-        };
-        let declarations = compilation_unit.declarations();
-        assert_eq!(declarations.len(), 1);
-        let function = match &declarations[0] {
-            ModuleLevelDeclaration::Function(function) => function,
-            _ => panic!(),
-        };
-        assert_eq!(function.declared_name(), "main");
+        let compilation_unit = assert_compilation_unit("fn main() println(\"Hello, World!\") end");
+        let function = assert_function_in(&compilation_unit, "main");
         let statements = function.statements();
         assert_eq!(statements.len(), 1);
         if let Statement::Expression(expression_statement) = statements[0] {
@@ -612,6 +710,69 @@ mod concrete_tests {
             panic!("Expected expression");
         }
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn negative_expression() {
+        let expression = assert_expression("-1");
+        match expression {
+            Expression::Negative(negative_expression) => match negative_expression.operand() {
+                Expression::IntegerLiteral(integer_literal) => {
+                    assert_eq!(integer_literal.value(), 1);
+                }
+                _ => panic!("Expected integer literal"),
+            },
+            _ => panic!("Expected negative expression"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn add_negative() {
+        let expression = assert_expression("1 + -1");
+        match expression {
+            Expression::Additive(add_expression) => {
+                match add_expression.lhs() {
+                    Expression::IntegerLiteral(integer_literal) => {
+                        assert_eq!(integer_literal.value(), 1);
+                    }
+                    _ => panic!("Expected integer literal"),
+                }
+                match add_expression.rhs() {
+                    Expression::Negative(negative_expression) => {
+                        match negative_expression.operand() {
+                            Expression::IntegerLiteral(integer_literal) => {
+                                assert_eq!(integer_literal.value(), 1);
+                            }
+                            _ => panic!("Expected integer literal"),
+                        }
+                    }
+                    _ => panic!("Expected negative expression"),
+                }
+            }
+            _ => panic!("Expected additive expression"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn simple_subtract() {
+        let expression = assert_expression("1 - 1");
+        match expression {
+            Expression::Subtract(subtract_expression) => {
+                match subtract_expression.lhs() {
+                    Expression::IntegerLiteral(integer_literal) => {
+                        assert_eq!(integer_literal.value(), 1);
+                    }
+                    _ => panic!("Expected integer literal"),
+                }
+                match subtract_expression.rhs() {
+                    Expression::IntegerLiteral(integer_literal) => {
+                        assert_eq!(integer_literal.value(), 1);
+                    }
+                    _ => panic!("Expected integer literal"),
+                }
+            }
+            _ => panic!("Expected subtract expression"),
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[cfg(test)]
diff --git a/dmc-lib/src/token.rs b/dmc-lib/src/token.rs
index 531585e..b96f3f7 100644
--- a/dmc-lib/src/token.rs
+++ b/dmc-lib/src/token.rs
@@ -40,4 +40,5 @@ pub enum TokenKind {
     Colon,
     RightArrow,
     Plus,
+    Minus,
 }