ne...pas
/nə...pa/A negative construction used to form negative sentences in French. 'Ne' is the negative particle, and 'pas' is the most common negative word that follows it.
Il ne mange pas de viande.
He doesn't eat meat.
Nous ne sommes pas prêts.
We are not ready.
In informal spoken French, 'ne' is often omitted, but it is required in formal writing and formal speech.
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💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In formal contexts, always include 'ne' in negative constructions. In informal speech, 'ne' is often omitted, but the meaning remains clear with 'pas' or other negative words.
⚡Gold Rule
Negative Construction
The 'ne...pas' construction is the most common way to form negatives in French. 'Ne' is the negative particle, and 'pas' is the most common negative word that follows it.
📖Word Origin
The construction 'ne...pas' comes from Old French, where 'ne' was the negative particle and 'pas' (from 'pas' meaning 'step') was used to reinforce the negation.
📝Usage Notes
The 'ne' in 'ne...pas' is often dropped in informal speech, but it is essential in formal writing and formal speech. Other negative words can replace 'pas' depending on the context, such as 'jamais' (never), 'rien' (nothing), or 'personne' (nobody).