French expression: On ne sait jamais

Comments

March 9, 2012 at 12:00 pm

(1) visitingreader says:

Amène un pull, on ne sait jamais.
Bring a sweater, you never know.

Why wouldn’t you use “apporter,” as a sweater is a thing, not a person?

March 9, 2012 at 12:49 pm

(2) LKL - French Guide says:

See “important note” at http://french.about.com/library/weekly/aa071500.htm

March 9, 2012 at 1:59 pm

(3) Andrew says:

So what is the difference between:

on ne sait jamais and tu ne sauras jamais ( based on the song)

Thanks

March 9, 2012 at 2:53 pm

(4) LKL - French Guide says:

It’s about the same as “you never know” (defeatist) and “you’ll never know” (prediction).

March 9, 2012 at 3:08 pm

(5) francisca says:

I know “sait on jamais ” ,and I hope to know if it’s the same that “on ne sais jamais”

March 9, 2012 at 10:43 pm

(6) Edward says:

I like the “lard or pork” expression. It reminds me of a Spanish expression about being served cat for rabbit. Wherever you go in this world you never know…

March 10, 2012 at 12:16 am

(7) John Roynesdal says:

You mention the use of “You” in English, when one speaks generally; speaking as an American, I find that the use of “You” is abused; actually it is more “proper” in English, as well as American english to use “one” in place of “you” – Example, “One must avoid using swear words, when in front of children.”

March 12, 2012 at 10:03 pm

(8) Geo says:

Would you allow the LA
Cajun variant: “On sait pas jamais”?

March 13, 2012 at 3:44 am

(9) LKL - French Guide says:

Geo – no, I wouldn’t, as that is grammatically incorrect – “You don’t never know.”