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Ne Explétif

Updated: Sep 26



This grammatical aspect is for advanced learners. If you want to learn about negation, use this article instead.


Here are the main aspects you need to understand about the NE explétif:


  • The NE explétif is an adverb which is found by itself.

  • It is different from the NE found in ne...pas, ne ...plus, ne...jamais.

  • The NE explétif is not a negation.

  • The NE explétif carries no meaning. It is therefore optional.

  • It is used for the purpose of eloquence.

  • It makes a sentence sound more formal.

  • It is still used in written French, but becomes rarer in spoken French.

  • It is placed before the main verb.


Examples:

1. Je crains qu'elle ne parte.

I'm afraid she will leave.


2. Je crains qu'elle ne parte pas.

I'm afraid she won't leave.



How to use the NE explétif


1. In subordinate of comparison


In subordinate of comparison, the NE explétif can be used when the comparison expresses inequality (superiority or inferiority).


Example:

Je suis arrivée plus tard que je ne le pensais.

I arrived later than I thought.


Note that you could also write: je suis arrivée plus tard que je le pensais.


You can therefore use the NE explétif if the main clause contains one of the following terms:

-autre

-autrement

-davantage

-meilleur

-mieux

-moindre

-moins

-pire

-plus

-plutôt



2. in subordinate clauses introduced by avant que (before), à moins que (unless), de peur que (for fear that).



Examples:

Je l'achète avant qu'il ne soit trop tard.

I'm buying it before it is too late.


Il ne le fera pas à moins qu'on ne lui demande.

He won't do it unless we ask him to.


Also note that avant que, à moins que, de peur que are subjunctive triggers.



3. in some subordinate clauses


The Ne explétif can be triggered when the main clause is not negative and contains verbs or expressions of fear, doubt or prevention.


Here is a list of the most common triggers:

- appréhender que - to dread that

- avoir peur que - to be afraid that

- craindre que - to fear that

- douter que - to doubt that

- empêcher que - to prevent that

- éviter que - to avoid that

- redouter que - to dread that

- risquer que - to risk that


Examples:

1. Tu as peur qu'il ne morde?

Are you scared he will bite?


2. Nous évitons qu'ils ne nous voient.

We avoid them seeing us.



Note that all these expressions are subjunctive triggers

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Continue reading if you want to know more about the Ne explétif...

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The Ne explétif can also carry a subtle nuance that reflects the speaker's sentiment, particularly in sentences involving fear or apprehension.


In these cases, while the Ne explétif does not function as a negation, it can suggest an underlying emotion of hope - as if the speaker were implicitly expressing a desire for the opposite outcome.


Let's compare 2 sentences:

Sentence 1: Je crains qu'il ne vienne.

  • Translation: "I fear that he will come"

  • Implicit sentiment: "I fear he is coming, and I hope he won't come."


Sentence 2: Je crains qu'il vienne.

I fear that he will come.

While the meaning remains the same, this second version is more neutral. It simply expresses the fear without the subtle hope for the contrary.


Therefore, the Ne explétif can reflect an emotional layer, suggesting that the speaker not only fears the event but also wishes for it not to happen. It adds a nuance of apprehension or reluctance, as if the speaker were mentally opposing the feared outcome.





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