The ne explétif in French is a little function word, ne, that is sometimes used after comparisons, certain verbs that express fear or doubt, and conjunctions like avant que meaning before. But first, let’s clarify what the ne explétif is not! Despite the fact it looks like a negative ne, the ne explétif is not a negation in French, so it is used without pas meaning not.
The ne explétif can be omitted when speaking, as it won’t alter the meaning of a sentence, but it is used in formal situations, especially when writing. Let’s say it adds panache to your French!
Because the ne explétif is often used with French comparison structures and the present subjunctive in French, I suggest you check our articles to refresh your memory. But if you’ve already mastered these points of grammar, you’re ready to dive in!
Where does the ‘ne explétif’ go in the sentence?
The ne explétif is used in subordinate clauses introduced by que, and appears right after the subject of this clause. Just like the negative particle ne, the ne explétif turns into n’ in front of a word starting with a vowel or a mute h.
These rules apply to all the uses explained in this article. Let’s have a couple of examples as an amuse-bouche and then go into details!
Also, when a verb accepting a French direct object is used alongside the ne explétif, the neuter pronoun le can be added before this verb.
Now you know where the ne explétif goes in a sentence, let’s see when to use it.
How to use the ‘ne explétif’ after comparisons in French?
The ne explétif s used after comparatives of inferiority or superiority, but not after comparatives of equality. Once again, the neuter pronoun le can accompany the ne explétif.
Comparative of Inferiority:
ne explétifC’est moins difficile qu’on ne pense.Translation: It is less difficult than we think.Comparative of Superiority:
ne explétif neuter pronounNe sois pas plus bruyant que tu ne l’es !Translation: Don’t be louder than you already are!Comparison of Equality:
❌ C’est aussi beau que je ne l’avais pensé.Translation: It is less difficult than we think.✅ C’est aussi beau que je l’avais pensé.Translation: It is as nice as I thought it would be.
Here are all of the comparative adjectives and comparative adverbs which will call for the ne explétif. They are all followed by que:
| With adjectives | With verbs | With nouns |
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How to use the ‘ne explétif’ after expressions of fear, avoidance, doubt
The ne explétif can be used after the subject after a clause using a verb or phrase expressing fear, warning, or uncertainty. First, let’s see how to use the ne explétif with verbs and phrases expressing fear.
Which verbs and phrases expressing fear trigger the ‘ne explétif’ in French?
The ne explétif is used after verbs like craindre meaning to dread or avoir peur meaning to fear only if they are affirmative. The ne explétif can’t be used when these verbs expressing fear are negated. Also note that the subjunctive is required after these verbs.
But, when the verb is negated…
What about when a subordinate clause which should normally have the ne explétif is negated? In this case, skip the ne explétif. You can’t have both a negative ne and the ne explétif!
✅ J’ai peur qu’elle ne soit pas au courant.
Here are more verbs and phrases expressing fear which call for the ne explétif when affirmative:
Which verbs expressing avoidance or warning trigger the ‘ne explétif’ in French?
The ne explétif is used after verbs expressing avoidance, like éviter meaning to avoid, or warning, such as prendre garde meaning to be careful, regardless of whether they are affirmative, negative, or interrogative (in questions). Note the subjunctive is required after these verbs, as well.
Here are more verbs and phrases expressing avoidance and warning which call for the ne explétif:
Which verbs expressing doubt and denial trigger the ‘ne explétif’ in French?
The ne explétif is used after verbs expressing doubt, like douter meaning to doubt, or denial, like nier meaning to deny, if they are in a negative or interrogative clause. Here again, the subjunctive is required after these verbs.
Negative:
negationne explétif✅ Elle ne doute pas qu’il ne puisse le faire.Translation: She does not doubt that he can do it.Interrogative:
ne explétif✅ Ont-ils nié que nous n’ayons gagné ?Translation: Have they denied we won?
But, when a verb like douter is in the affirmative…
Affirmative:
❌ Elle doute qu’il ne puisse le faire.Translation: She doubts that he can do it.
Here are more verbs and phrases expressing doubt and denial which call for the ne explétif if used in a negative or interrogative clause:
How to use the ‘ne explétif’ after conjunctions in French?
Use the ne explétif after the conjunctions avant que meaning before and à moins que meaning unless. Both are also followed by the subjunctive. Earlier, we have seen that some conjunctions expressing fear, like de peur que meaning for fear that, can also trigger the ne explétif. Here, we'll focus on avant que meaning before and à moins que meaning unless.
How to use the ‘ne explétif’ after ‘rarement’ (rarely)
The ne explétif is used after rarement meaning rarely when the adverb is at the beginning of a sentence, and expressing hindsight mixed with surprise. The word order after the adverb rarement can be as follows:
subject
ne
verb
OR:
ne
verb
subject
‘Bref:’ Things to remember about the ne explétif
When using the ne explétif in French, keep the following in mind:
The ne explétif does not express a negation, it is optional and formal.
It is used after verbs of doubt used in negative or interrogative sentences and after verbs of avoidance and fear most commonly in affirmative sentences.
It comes right after the subject of the subordinate clause.
It can be used after comparisons and certain conjunctive phrases like avant que meaning before and à moins que meaning unless.
And now that you’ve read about ne explétif it’s time to become a master! Try out our ne explétif exercises and see how it goes! Happy learning!
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