Optional 'pas'
When the following verbs are accompanied by an infinitive, 'pas' is optional.
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savoir: |
Il ne sait (pas) conduire. He doesn't know how to drive.
Il ne le sait pas. (pas is necessary)
He doesn't know it.
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oser: |
Je n'ose (pas) parler. I don't dare speak.
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pouvoir: |
Nous ne pouvons (pas) aller. We can't go. Je ne peux pas.(pas
is necessary)
I can't.
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cesser: |
Il ne cesse (pas) de parler. He doesn't stop talking. |