Why not pas?

Liz H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why not pas?

Rien ici n’est cher. This lesson doesn’t say why we don’t add pas as in Rien ici n’est pas cher. Please explain why pas isn’t used. Thanks. 

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Liz,

You don't need a 'pas' as 'ne...rien' is a negative on its own like, 'ne...jamais', 'ne... personne' 'ne...plus' as indicated in the following Kwiziq lesson -

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/revision/grammar/how-to-express-nothing-ne-rien-negative-expressions

Hope this helps!

Jean d.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Cécile, I'm not seeing an explanation in the link you posted. Still wondering when are other situations when I will use just 'ne' without pas.

CécileKwiziq Native French Teacher

Sorry Jean, I don't understand what you mean.

Liz H. asked:

Why not pas?

Rien ici n’est cher. This lesson doesn’t say why we don’t add pas as in Rien ici n’est pas cher. Please explain why pas isn’t used. Thanks. 

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