What is the ne explétif and when to use it in French

The ne explétif is an example of those words in the French language that don't carry any meaning on their own but are used for syntax or pronunciation reasons.

Ne explétif in French

You usually find the ne explétif in subjunctive subordinate clauses following verbs with negative connotation (e.g. to fear, to avoid, to doubt). Here, the ne explétif is used to emphasise the negative aspect of what came before it.

Look at these examples of usage:

Even though it looks like a negation, the expletive ne carries NO NEGATIVE meaning.

ATTENTION: Note that the ne alone does not make the sentence negative. You always need the pas to make it a negation, for example:

See also these lessons about expressions using the ne explétif:

Sans que (+ ne explétif) + the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) = Without doing in French

À moins que + ne explétif + the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) = Unless you do in French

Avant que + ne explétif + the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) = Before I do in French

De peur que + ne explétif + the subjunctive mood (Le Subjonctif) = for fear that in French