Ne explétif

Tim T.C1Kwiziq 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 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 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.

Tim T. asked:

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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