bigpumsky

[visual lintel]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[torn valley]

Ce n'est pas is formal/neutral and c'est pas is informal.
We drop "ne" all the time in casual conversations.

[ember flare]

Just to add, the only time I use ne in causal conversation is when I want to emphasis the negative.

mais, c'étais pas le cas -- but, it wasn't the case
mais, ce **n'**était pas le cas -- but, it was not the case

[shadow cliff]

thanks all! so would talking to a stranger or in a professional setting warrant the use of the ne?

[ember flare]

Yes, when you talk to a stranger, or someone with a higher social status that you -- your boss, for example -- you always want to talk formally. Formal French always uses ne.

[shadow cliff]

d