Why is it "N'ayons" yet "ne sois pas" - i.e. one has the "pas" but the other doesn't?
Negative command
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Rob L.Kwiziq community member
Negative command
This question relates to:French lesson "Conjugate irregular être/avoir/savoir in the imperative mood in French (L'Impératif)"
Asked 5 years ago
Tom K. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Rob,
Having looked at the lesson I cannot see the case you are refering to.
Just to confirm : Normally, ALL negative commands enclose the positive command form with "ne...pas"
e.g. "N'ayons pas peur de mourir" - "Let's not be afraid to die"
There are exceptions in some proverbes and fixed expressions, usually hangovers from medieval French where 'ne' was frequently used on its own.
e.g." N'ayez crainte!" - "Never fear!"
but normal speech requires the "ne...pas" construction.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Rob L. asked:
Negative command
Why is it "N'ayons" yet "ne sois pas" - i.e. one has the "pas" but the other doesn't?
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