Are these are examples of ne explétif

Farid M.C1Kwiziq community member

Are these are examples of ne explétif

Hello, I have started reading L'etranger by Albert Camus recently. I see the following two sentences with the use of ne and no other negative words (like "pas" or "rien", etc). Are they examples of Ne Explétif", or is there another explanation? 1. "Puis il m’a serré la main qu’il a gardée si long- temps que je ne savais trop comment la retirer." 2. "Vous ne pouviez subvenir à ses besoins." Merci beaucoup en avance!
Asked 7 years ago
Janie C.C1Kwiziq community member
No
Janie C.C1Kwiziq community member
They re just spoken French - more casual style, not using the pas etc
Johannes S.C1Kwiziq community member
I think Farid is right. One finds such sentences in French. Sometimes, one can omit the "pas". I would however not be able to give a rule.

Are these are examples of ne explétif

Hello, I have started reading L'etranger by Albert Camus recently. I see the following two sentences with the use of ne and no other negative words (like "pas" or "rien", etc). Are they examples of Ne Explétif", or is there another explanation? 1. "Puis il m’a serré la main qu’il a gardée si long- temps que je ne savais trop comment la retirer." 2. "Vous ne pouviez subvenir à ses besoins." Merci beaucoup en avance!

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