Question #5587   Submitted by Answiki on 12/23/2021 at 09:42:48 AM UTC

In French, should we write « tu n'as qu'à » or « tu n'as cas » ?

Answer   Submitted by Answiki on 12/23/2021 at 09:48:27 AM UTC

Tu n'as qu'à ... <=> All you have to do is ...


There is only one spelling of the expression " tu n'as qu'à " (Tu n'as cas is not correct).


Examples :

Je n'ai qu'à lui faire les yeux doux. <=> I only have to make eyes at him.

Tu n'as qu'à te taire. <=> You just have to shut up.

Il n'a qu'à y retourner. <=> He only has to go back.

Vous n'avez qu'à demander. <=> You only have to ask.

Nous n'avons qu'à le refaire. <=> We only have to do it again.

Ils n'ont qu'à manger de la brioche. <=> They only have to eat the bun.


Note: although frequently used in speech, the expression "tu n'as qu'à" is not the most elegant. It is more appropriate to use :

  • Tu ferais bien de... <=> You'd better...
  • Tu devrais plutôt... <=> You should rather...
  • Il serait mieux de... <=> It would be better to...
  • Il te suffit de ... <=> You just have to...


2 events in history
Answer by Answiki on 12/23/2021 at 09:48:27 AM

Tu n'as qu'à ... <=> All you have to do is ...


There is only one spelling of the expression " tu n'as qu'à " (Tu n'as cas is not correct).


Examples :

Je n'ai qu'à lui faire les yeux doux. <=> I only have to make eyes at him.

Tu n'as qu'à te taire. <=> You just have to shut up.

Il n'a qu'à y retourner. <=> He only has to go back.

Vous n'avez qu'à demander. <=> You only have to ask.

Nous n'avons qu'à le refaire. <=> We only have to do it again.

Ils n'ont qu'à manger de la brioche. <=> They only have to eat the bun.


Note: although frequently used in speech, the expression "tu n'as qu'à" is not the most elegant. It is more appropriate to use :

  • Tu ferais bien de... <=> You'd better...
  • Tu devrais plutôt... <=> You should rather...
  • Il serait mieux de... <=> It would be better to...
  • Il te suffit de ... <=> You just have to...


Question by Answiki 12/23/2021 at 09:42:48 AM
In French, should we write « tu n'as qu'à » or « tu n'as cas » ?
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