i don't understand why 'before they left' translates as 'qu'ils ne partent'....I thought 'ne' signifies a negative statement of some sort? negative?

Rebecca M.C1Kwiziq community member

i don't understand why 'before they left' translates as 'qu'ils ne partent'....I thought 'ne' signifies a negative statement of some sort? negative?

Asked 2 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Rebecca, 

You have truncated the important part of the sentence -

Tu avait pu leur dire au revoir avant qu'ils ne partent You had been able to say goodbye to them before they left

The reason for the 'ne explétif' is because of avant que.

Here is the Kwiziq lesson explaining how to use it :

Avant que + ne explétif + Le Subjonctif = Before I do

Come back to us if you have further questions on this matter.

James H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Avant que plus the ne explétif is in level C1. This exercise is level B2.

i don't understand why 'before they left' translates as 'qu'ils ne partent'....I thought 'ne' signifies a negative statement of some sort? negative?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...