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  • If I wanted to say "I don't need" would I say je n'ai pas besoin or je n'ai besoin pas? I'm not sure I'm finding this phrase difficult!

If I wanted to say "I don't need" would I say je n'ai pas besoin or je n'ai besoin pas? I'm not sure I'm finding this phrase difficult!

Catherine D.A1Kwiziq community member

If I wanted to say "I don't need" would I say je n'ai pas besoin or je n'ai besoin pas? I'm not sure I'm finding this phrase difficult!

This question relates to:French lesson "Ne ... pas = Not - with simple tenses (French Negations)"
Asked 6 years ago
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Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Catherine,

ne..pas always brackets the first conjugated verb. Any potential object to the verb comes after it. Therefore it is:

Je n'ai pas besoin de cela. -- I don't need that.

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Like16 years ago
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Sukhpreet Arora B.A2Kwiziq community member

It should be je n'ai pas besoin de.... We only wrap/sandwich the verb for a negative sentence. Hope this helps Catherine.. 

Like04 years ago
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Catherine D. asked:View original

If I wanted to say "I don't need" would I say je n'ai pas besoin or je n'ai besoin pas? I'm not sure I'm finding this phrase difficult!

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