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Other Negations (ne…plus, ne…jamais, etc.)

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French has several negative constructions beyond the most common ne…pas. These include expressions like ne…plus (no longer), ne…jamais (never), ne…rien (nothing), ne…personne (no one), ne…que (only), and others. Each has a specific meaning and usage.
These negations always use ne before the verb. The second part of the negation comes after the verb (or after the first auxiliary in compound tenses).

ne…plus — no longer, no more

  • Indicates that something has stopped or is no longer true.
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne fume plus.I no longer smoke. / I don’t smoke anymore.
Il ne travaille plus ici.He no longer works here.

ne…jamais — never

  • Used to express that something never happens.
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne suis jamais allé en Suède.I have never been to Sweden.
Elle ne mange jamais de viande.She never eats meat.

ne…rien — nothing / not anything

  • Used to negate nouns, meaning “nothing” or “not anything.”
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne vois rien.I don’t see anything.
Il ne fait rien aujourd’hui.He is doing nothing today.
Note: When rien is the subject, it goes before the verb (e.g., Rien ne va plus — “No more bets”).

ne…personne — no one / nobody

  • Used to negate nouns referring to people, meaning “no one” or “nobody.”
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne connais personne ici.I don’t know anyone here.
Personne ne peut venir.No one can come.
Note: When personne is the subject, it goes before the verb.

ne…que — only / nothing but (restrictive negation)

  • Not a true negation but uses ne to mean “only” or “nothing but.”
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne mange que des légumes.I only eat vegetables.
Il ne parle que français.He speaks only French.

Reflexive Verbs and Compound Tenses

  • In compound tenses, the negative words surround the auxiliary verb.
  • The past participle remains unchanged (no agreement with rien or personne following the verb).
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Je ne me suis jamais levé(e) tôt.I have never gotten up early.
Nous ne nous sommes plus vus.We no longer see each other.

Word Order Notes

  • Usually: ne + verb + second negative word
  • When personne or rien is the subject, they come before the verb, and ne follows:
    • Personne ne …
    • Rien ne …
Examples:
French ExampleEnglish Example
Personne n’est venu.No one came.
Rien n’est perdu.Nothing is lost.

What is the word order when personne or rien is the subject?


Personne or rien comes before the verb, and ne follows the subject.

When personne or rien is the subject, it comes before the verb, and ne immediately follows it. For example, Personne ne vient and Rien ne va plus.

Rien n’est perdu.


Nothing is lost.

When rien is the subject, it precedes the verb, and ne follows immediately. Rien n’est perdu means 'Nothing is lost.' The n’ is a contracted form of ne.

Summary Table

NegationMeaningExampleEnglish Example
ne…plusno longer, no moreJe ne travaille plus.I don’t work anymore.
ne…jamaisneverIl ne sort jamais.He never goes out.
ne…riennothing, not anythingJe ne dis rien.I say nothing.
ne…personneno one, nobodyJe ne vois personne.I see no one.
ne…queonlyElle ne mange que du pain.She only eats bread.
These negations allow for precise and varied expression of negation in French beyond the simple “not.”

Which negation means 'no longer' or 'not anymore'?


ne…plus

Ne…plus means 'no longer' or 'not anymore.' For example, Je ne travaille plus means 'I don’t work anymore.'

Flashcards (1 of 19)

    • English Example: I no longer smoke. / I don’t smoke anymore.

    Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

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