Ne...Plus: Saying 'No Longer' or 'Not Anymore'
When something used to be true but isn't anymore
Category: Negation
The Rule
Replace pas with plus to express 'no longer / not anymore': ne + verb + plus.
Why This Matters
English uses 'no longer,' 'not anymore,' or 'no more.' French simply swaps pas for plus in the negation sandwich. Note that in this context, the final -s of plus is silent (sounds like 'plew'), unlike plus meaning 'more' where it can be pronounced. This is a common source of confusion for English speakers listening to spoken French.
Examples
• Je ne fume plus. — "I don't smoke anymore." [plus replaces pas — final s is silent] • Elle n'habite plus à Paris. — "She no longer lives in Paris." [Implies she used to live there] • Il n'y a plus de lait. — "There's no more milk." [plus de = no more of] • Nous ne nous voyons plus. — "We don't see each other anymore." [Works with reflexive verbs too]
Common Mistakes
❌ Je ne fume pas plus. ✅ Je ne fume plus. → Don't combine pas and plus. Replace pas entirely with plus. ❌ Je ne plus fume. ✅ Je ne fume plus. → Plus goes after the conjugated verb, same position as pas. ❌ Elle n'a plus pas de travail. ✅ Elle n'a plus de travail. → Never combine two negative words (pas + plus). Just use ne...plus.
Quick Tip
In spoken French, plus (negation) is pronounced 'plew' (silent s). Plus (more/addition) is pronounced 'plews' or 'ply.' Context and pronunciation distinguish them.
In spoken French, plus (negation) is pronounced 'plew' (silent s). Plus (more/addition) is pronounced 'plews' or 'ply.' Context and pronunciation distinguish them.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Je ne fume pas plus. → Correct: Je ne fume plus.. Don't combine pas and plus. Replace pas entirely with plus.
Incorrect: Je ne plus fume. → Correct: Je ne fume plus.. Plus goes after the conjugated verb, same position as pas.
Incorrect: Elle n'a plus pas de travail. → Correct: Elle n'a plus de travail.. Never combine two negative words (pas + plus). Just use ne...plus.
Quiz
How do you say 'He no longer works here'?