N’eussent (en. Had not)

/nœsɑ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Conjugated form of the verb to have in the past subjunctive, mainly used in conditional or hypothetical constructions.

If only they had not forgotten to come.

Si seulement ils n’eussent pas oublié de venir.

Indicates an action that could have taken place in the past but did not happen.

He would have been disappointed if we had not been present.

Il aurait été déçu si nous n’eussent pas été présents.

Used in formal or literary contexts.

It is strange that they did not understand the situation.

Il est étrange qu'ils n’eussent pas compris la situation.

Form of the verb 'to have' deriving from the Latin 'habere', conjugated here in the past subjunctive.

If only they had not

Expresses regret or an unrealized condition.

Si seulement ils n’eussent pas

I fear they did not understand

Indicates concern about others' understanding.

Je crains qu'ils n’eussent pas compris

It would have been better if they had not acted this way

Expresses a wish or recommendation regarding a past action.

Il aurait été préférable qu'ils n’eussent pas agi ainsi

eussent

Conjugated form in the past subjunctive of the verb to have.

eussent

avoir

Verb that expresses possession or the action of having.

avoir

subjunctive

Verbal mode expressing doubt, wish, or emotion.

subjonctif

Used ironically to express regret.

Oh man, if only they hadn't done that!

Ah punaise, si seulement ils n’eussent pas fait ça !

Used in more academic conversations to impress.

While speaking, he said 'n’eussent' to sound more scholarly.

En parlant, il a dit 'n’eussent' pour paraître plus érudit.