Question 1

Why do we use de payer here instead of a complex phrase with que?

Accepted Answer

Since the person who has no means (he) is the same person who would be paying (he), French prefers the simpler infinitive form. We use the preposition de to link the noun moyen (way/means) directly to the infinitive payer, avoiding a clunky que clause.

Question 2

Why isn't there a pas in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The phrase ne ... aucun is a complete negative structure meaning "no" or "not a single". Just like with ne ... jamais (never) or ne ... plus (no longer), the word aucun replaces pas. Saying n'a pas aucun would be a double negative.

Question 3

The English translation says "paying". Why does French use the infinitive payer instead of a word ending in -ant?

Accepted Answer

In French, any verb that immediately follows a preposition (like de, à, or sans) must be in the infinitive form. While English uses the "-ing" gerund ("of paying"), French uses the infinitive (de payer). The only exception is the preposition en, which takes the -ant form.

Question 4

Why is moyen singular? Could we say aucuns moyens?

Accepted Answer

Aucun literally means "not one" or "not a single", so it is almost always singular, and the noun it attaches to (moyen) must also stay singular. You will only see aucun in the plural if it modifies a noun that doesn't have a singular form, like frais (fees).

Il n'a aucun moyen de payer.

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