EN: cela ne veut [pas] dire que

[nadinita15]

Salut,

just wondering if it is acceptable in OFFICIAL not colloquial French to omit "pas" in

in "ça/cela ne veut dire que"

I have seen in it before in expressions such as "ne cesse de + INF".

Is there a rule when you can omit just the "pas" ?

Merci d'avance!

 

[Michelvar]

Hello,

It depends on the context. If "que" means "that", no, you can't. If "que" means "only", then there are contexts in which you will see this expression without "pas".

"ça ne veut dire que cela, rien de plus" is correct, for instance. Meaning "it only means this, nothing more".
But in "ça ne veut pas dire que tu as raison", ("it doesn't mean that you're right"), then, "pas" is compulsory.

 

[Hildy1]

I have seen in it before in expressions such as "ne cesse de + INF".

Pas is sometimes omitted after cesser, savoir, oser and pouvoir. Some people use COPS as a mnemonic.

Here are some threads on the subject, listed by Maître Capello in 2011.
"ne" sans "pas" - avoir, savoir, pouvoir, oser, cesser
ne explétif - "ne" sans "pas"
FR: "ne" without "pas" - "ne" explétif et "ne" littéraire
FR: savoir, pouvoir, oser, cesser - "ne" without "pas" in negative

 

[nadinita15]

Merci pour toutes vos réponses!