I had no idea ...

JenniferC1Kwiziq community member

I had no idea ...

I understand that aucun is more emphatic than pas de, but does "Je n'avait pas d'idée ..." not work for this sentence as well?  Thank you.

Asked 5 months ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I don't know the context but the two negations are different in their meaning:

Je n'avais pas d'idée -- I didn't have an idea.
Je n'avais aucune idée -- I had no idea.

CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Jennifer,

Chris is correct! 

Remember:

Je n'avais pas d'idée ! = I didn't have any ideas!

-> meaning "any original thoughts"

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jennifer asked:View original

I had no idea ...

I understand that aucun is more emphatic than pas de, but does "Je n'avait pas d'idée ..." not work for this sentence as well?  Thank you.

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
Clever stuff happening!