non plus

The French phrase “non plus” serves as a negative equivalent to “aussi” (also/too), functioning similarly to the English “neither” or “not… either”. It is exclusively used in negative constructions to indicate that a statement applies equally to someone else.

Basic structure

“Non plus” typically appears at the end of a negative sentence, following this pattern:
Subject + ne + verb + pas/plus/rien/etc. + [additional information] + non plus

Usage examples

1. Simple statements

  • “Je n’aime pas les épinards.” “Moi non plus.”
    (“I don’t like spinach.” “Me neither.”)
  • “Il ne vient pas ce soir, et elle non plus.”
    (“He’s not coming tonight, and neither is she.”)
  • “Nous n’avons pas reçu l’invitation, et eux non plus.”
    (“We didn’t receive the invitation, and neither did they.”)

2. With different verbs

  • “Je ne parle pas italien, et mon frère non plus.”
    (“I don’t speak Italian, and neither does my brother.”)
  • “Elle ne travaille plus ici, et son assistante non plus.”
    (“She doesn’t work here anymore, and neither does her assistant.”)
  • “Vous n’avez pas compris la question ? Nous non plus.”
    (“You didn’t understand the question? Neither did we.”)

3. In formal contexts

  • “Cette méthode ne fonctionne pas, et l’alternative non plus.”
    (“This method doesn’t work, and neither does the alternative.”)
  • “Le président n’était pas présent, et le vice-président non plus.”
    (“The president wasn’t present, and neither was the vice-president.”)

4. Everyday conversation

  • “Tu ne vas pas au cinéma ? Moi non plus.”
    (“You’re not going to the movies? Me neither.”)
  • “Il ne fait pas beau aujourd’hui. Hier non plus.”
    (“The weather isn’t nice today. It wasn’t yesterday either.”)

Important notes

  • “Non plus” is only used in negative sentences.
  • It cannot replace “aussi” (which is used in affirmative sentences).
  • Unlike English “neither”, “non plus” doesn’t require subject-verb inversion.

Common errors

  • Incorrect: “Je ne veux pas aller aussi.”
  • Correct: “Je ne veux pas aller non plus.” (“I don’t want to go either.”)

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