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Questions & Answers about Je ne veux pas partir encore.
What is the role of ne and pas in this sentence?
In French, negation is typically formed by surrounding the conjugated verb with ne (before the verb) and pas (after the verb). In this sentence, Je ne veux pas translates to "I don't want," clearly indicating the negation of the verb.
What does veux mean, and why is it used here?
Veux is the first-person singular (je) form of the irregular verb vouloir, which means to want. It directly tells us that the speaker does not want something—in this case, leaving—as expressed by the following infinitive verb.
Why is partir in its infinitive form after veux?
In French, when one verb (like vouloir) is directly followed by another verb describing the intended action, the second verb remains in the infinitive form. Therefore, partir, meaning to leave, is used in its infinitive form to complete the expression of desire.
How does encore function in this sentence, and why is it placed at the end?
Encore is an adverb meaning yet (or still) that conveys the idea that the action (leaving) is not desired at the present time but might occur later. Its placement at the end of the sentence emphasizes that timing—highlighting that the speaker doesn’t want to leave just yet.
If I wanted to form a similar negative sentence with a different verb, what structure should I follow?
You would follow the same basic structure: start with the subject, then ne + conjugated verb + pas, followed by the secondary verb in its infinitive form and any additional adverbs. For example, to say "I don't want to eat yet," you could say Je ne veux pas manger encore. This construction consistently marks the negation while linking the two verbs properly.