Question 1

Why do we use “n’” instead of “ne” in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Because ne changes to n’ before a verb that starts with a vowel or a silent “h.” In n’achetons, the “a” in achetons triggers this elision.

Question 2

Why is there no “pas” after “n’achetons” for the negative form?

Accepted Answer

In French, jamais (“never”) can replace pas to form a negative. So when you use jamais, you drop pas, and the sentence still remains negative: Nous n’achetons jamais…

Question 3

Why do we write “de viande” instead of “de la viande” here?

Accepted Answer

After a negative phrase in French (like n’achetons jamais), any indefinite or partitive article (un, une, des, du, de la, de l’) turns into de (or d’ if followed by a vowel). That’s why it becomes de viande instead of de la viande.

Question 4

What is the function of “jamais” and where should it be placed in the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Jamais is placed right after the conjugated verb, replacing pas to indicate “never.” The structure remains ne + verb + jamais, so jamais follows achetons.

Question 5

Why is it “au marché” rather than “à le marché”?

Accepted Answer

In French, à + le automatically contracts to au. So à le marché becomes au marché (meaning “at the market” or “to the market”).

Nous n'achetons jamais de viande au marché.

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