Ne explétif

TimC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ne explétif

 Why does the verb 'détester' not require the ne explétif in this sentence:  Les filles détestent que vous les embêtiez. 

Asked 9 months ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The ‘ne explétif’ is formal and optional, with restricted usage. Even if indicated, it would not be obligatory to use - and is rarely used in everyday French.

 It doesn’t appear on this list from Laura Lawless, and does not seem to express “fear, doubt or prevention’ - so I assume it is not indicated either, but open to correction on that if the list is incomplete.

Ne explétif

 Why does the verb 'détester' not require the ne explétif in this sentence:  Les filles détestent que vous les embêtiez. 

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