Would or would not?

AndreaB2Kwiziq community member

Would or would not?

In the short quiz, the sentence was  'Nous craignons qu'il  ne change d'avis". The correct answer given was : 'We fear that he would change his mind'. Because of the 'ne', should the answer be " We fear that he would NOT change his mind?  I also want to know whether 'change d'avis' is an expression?     Thanks.

Asked 4 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The "ne" in that sentence is purely stylistic and does not mean a negation. It is called "ne-explétif" and there are lessons on that topic on kwiziq at a higher level.

The expression is changer d'avis -- to change one's mind. Change is the subjunctive present of the verb changer.

JeanC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Bonjour Andrea,

 The clue that you are seeing the ne-expletif as Chris mentioned is that the "pas" is absent. For it to be a negative statement, there would have been a ne ... pas. 

Would or would not?

In the short quiz, the sentence was  'Nous craignons qu'il  ne change d'avis". The correct answer given was : 'We fear that he would change his mind'. Because of the 'ne', should the answer be " We fear that he would NOT change his mind?  I also want to know whether 'change d'avis' is an expression?     Thanks.

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
Thinking...