Ne ... nulle part = Nowhere (French Negations)

In French, to express nowhere, you use a specific negative structure: ne ..nulle part.

Negative sentences with "ne ... nulle part" in French

Look at these examples:

J'ai cherché partout, mais je ne l'ai trouvé nulle part.I looked everywhere, but I didn't find it anywhere.

Il n'y a nulle part où je préférerais être.There is nowhere that I'd rather be.

Comme il pleuvait, Lise n'est allée nulle part.As it was raining, Lise didn't go anywhere

Je n'ai vu Mathieu nulle part.I didn't see Mathieu anywhere.

Il n'est jamais allé nulle part.He never went anywhere.
 

Ne/n' ... nulle part means nowhere/ not anywhere.

While the negation ne/n' is placed before the conjugated verb as with other negations, it is worth noticing that nulle part is placed at the end of the clause, after the object of the verb (when there is one), and NOT right after the conjugated verb like other negations:

ne/n' + conjugated verb + [object] + [adverb] + nulle part

 

Note that when used on its own, you don't put ne/n'.

Où vas-tu ? - Nulle part, pourquoi ?Where are you going? - Nowhere, why?

 

 

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Je n'ai vu Mathieu nulle part.I didn't see Mathieu anywhere.
Où vas-tu ? - Nulle part, pourquoi ?Where are you going? - Nowhere, why?
Il n'y a nulle part où je préférerais être.There is nowhere that I'd rather be.
J'ai cherché partout, mais je ne l'ai trouvé nulle part.I looked everywhere, but I didn't find it anywhere.
Comme il pleuvait, Lise n'est allée nulle part.As it was raining, Lise didn't go anywhere
Il n'est jamais allé nulle part.He never went anywhere.
Clever stuff happening!