I do not understand why " ne " is used in the phrase: avant qu'ils ne partent. Meaning before they left

Judy R.A2Kwiziq community member

I do not understand why " ne " is used in the phrase: avant qu'ils ne partent. Meaning before they left

This question relates to:French lesson "Conjugate pouvoir in the pluperfect tense in French (Le Plus-que-Parfait)"

Asked 5 years ago

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Judy,

Just to add to Chris’ excellent answer, this is the Kwiziq lesson referring to the use of the ‘ne explétif’ used with the expression ‘avant que’ -

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/how-to-use-avant-que-ne-expletif-subjonctif-before-i-do

Hope this helps!

Like25 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The "ne" is not a negation, it is a stylistic element called the "ne explétif". There are certain verbs and phrases with which it needs to be used, some it may be used and others it shouldn't be used at all. There are lessons for this on kwiziq at a later stage.

Like15 years ago

Judy R. asked:

I do not understand why " ne " is used in the phrase: avant qu'ils ne partent. Meaning before they left

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