nous ne pensions

we didn't think

→ nous

phrase Rare #43,624

we didn't think Imperfect tense of penser. It is usually followed by pas for negation. In expressions such as « plus vite que nous ne pensions », ne is an optional expletive and does not make the meaning negative: “faster than we thought.”

FR: Nous ne pensions pas que le voyage serait si agréable.

EN: We didn't think the trip would be so enjoyable.

Nous ne pensions pas à mal.

We didn't mean any harm.

Nous ne pensions pas qu'il serait possible de le faire.

We didn’t think it would be possible to do it.

C'est allé plus vite que nous ne pensions.

It went faster than we thought.

Nous ne pensions pas que Tom se serait levé ce matin.

We didn't think Tom would get up this morning.