ELONIO
Log inSign up

Cela ne fonctionne pas.

Cela ne fonctionne pas.
That does not work.
FromLesson 20inHardcore French

Breakdown of Cela ne fonctionne pas.

ne ... pas
not
fonctionner
to function
cela
that

Questions & Answers about Cela ne fonctionne pas.

Why is there ne before fonctionne and pas after it?
In French the standard way to negate a verb is with a two-part construction: ne + conjugated verb + pas. So ne marks the start of the negation and pas completes it. Literally, Cela ne fonctionne pas = That does not work. Both parts are generally required in written or formal French.
Can I drop ne and just say Cela fonctionne pas?
In everyday spoken French people often omit ne, especially in informal contexts: Ça fonctionne pas or Cela fonctionne pas. However, dropping ne is nonstandard in writing. In formal speech or writing, keep both ne and pas.
How do I pronounce ne and pas in normal conversation?
In rapid, casual speech, ne often reduces to just an n sound or disappears entirely, while pas is pronounced [pa]. You’ll typically hear Ça fonctionne pas [sa fɔ̃k sjɔn pa]. In very careful speech, you may pronounce ne as [nə], but that’s rarer in everyday use.
What is the difference between cela and ça?
Both mean “that” or “it.” Cela is more formal and common in writing. Ça is the spoken, colloquial form of cela, and you’ll hear it everywhere in conversation: Ça ne fonctionne pas.
What tense and person is fonctionne?
Fonctionne is the third-person singular form in the présent de l’indicatif of the regular -er verb fonctionner. You use it for il/elle/on or impersonal subjects like cela.
Why isn’t there an object after fonctionne?
The verb fonctionner is intransitive, which means it does not take a direct object. It simply describes the subject’s state: something operates or functions. You wouldn’t say “fonctionne quelque chose”; you just say that it functions.
What are some synonyms I could use instead of fonctionner?

Depending on context, you can replace fonctionner with:
• marcher (informal): Ça ne marche pas
• travailler (regional in some dialects): Ça ne travaille pas
• opérer (more formal/technical): Ça n’opère pas
Each has slightly different nuance, but marcher is the most common casual synonym.

How would I express this sentence in the past tense?
Use the passé composé of fonctionner with negation: Cela n’a pas fonctionné. Structure: ne + auxiliary (avoir, here a) + pas + past participle (fonctionné).
When is fonctionner preferred over marcher or travailler?

• Fonctionner is neutral and works in formal or technical contexts: Le système fonctionne.
• Marcher is casual and idiomatic: La machine marche.
• Travailler normally means “to work” in the sense of a person or job, but regionally you might hear ça ne travaille pas too.
Use fonctionner when you want to be clear and a bit more formal or precise.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“How does grammatical gender work in French?”
Every French noun is either masculine or feminine, and this affects the articles and adjectives used with it. "Le" is used with masculine nouns and "la" with feminine ones. Adjectives also change form to match — for example, "petit" (masc.) becomes "petite" (fem.).

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning French

Master French — from Cela ne fonctionne pas to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning French→