Editing French grammar (section)

=== Expletive ''ne'' ===
In certain cases in formal French, the word {{lang|fr|ne}} can be used without signifying negation; the {{lang|fr|ne}} in such instances is known as expletive {{lang|fr|ne}} (French: {{lang|fr|ne explétif}}):

:{{lang|fr|J'ai peur que cela '''ne''' se reproduise.}} — "I am afraid that it might happen again."
:{{lang|fr|Il est arrivé avant que nous '''n{{'}}'''ayons commencé.}} — "He arrived before we started."
:{{lang|fr|Ils sont plus nombreux que tu '''ne''' le crois.}} — "There are more of them than you think."

Expletive {{lang|fr|ne}} is found in finite subordinate clauses (never before an infinitive). It is characteristic of literary rather than colloquial style.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/ne-expletif/ | title = Ne explétif – French Negation | publisher = Lawless French | first = Laura K | last = Lawless | access-date = 2007-02-25 }}</ref> In other registers French tends to not use any negation at all in such clauses, e.g., {{lang|fr|J'ai peur que cela se reproduise}}.

The following contexts allow expletive {{lang|fr|ne}}
* the complement clause of verbs expressing fear or avoidance: {{lang|fr|craindre}} (to fear), {{lang|fr|avoir peur}} (to be afraid), {{lang|fr|empêcher}} (to prevent), {{lang|fr|éviter}} (to avoid)
* the complement clause of verbs expressing doubt or denial: {{lang|fr|douter}} (to doubt), {{lang|fr|nier}} (to deny)
* [[adverbial clause]]s introduced by the following expressions: {{lang|fr|avant que}} (before), {{lang|fr|à moins que}} (unless), {{lang|fr|de peur/crainte que}} (for fear that)
* comparative constructions expressing inequality: {{lang|fr|autre}} (other), {{lang|fr|meilleur}} (better), {{lang|fr|plus fort}} (stronger), {{lang|fr|moins intelligent}} (less intelligent), etc.