Q&A Forum

Really useful rules & exceptions lists to help structure my thinking. Thanks. 

À 5 ans, j'avais les cheveux courts.
When I was 5, I had short hair.

En 2004, j'avais de l'argent.
In 2004, I had money.

If I'm asked to translate 'I had', I instinctively reach for Le Passé Composé ('j'ai eu').

If I'm asked to translate « j'avais », I will say 'I used to have' rather than 'I had'.

I think I understand why L'Imparfait is more appropriate in these examples:  they are both prefixed with a clause that limits the statement to a specific time in the past.  It just never seems obvious until I've given the wrong answer.  

The correct answer for the question: Il ________ repassé chez toi hier soir. 

In this sentence, "période pendant laquelle apparaissaient les fortes chaleurs," is "apparaissaient" the correct tense? 

Shouldn't it agree with the noun "période?" 

Hence "période pendant laquelle apparaissait les fortes chaleurs?" 

I've answered the quiz question: "J'ai peur qu'ils _________ la vérité." with "ne sachent."  This was marked incorrect and the correct answer was "sachent."  I submitted that as an error, but the response there was to come here and ask why it's incorrect.  

I've reviewed the 'ne explétif' lesson over and over and am sure I've lost my mind.  In that lesson, "avoir peur que" is NOT marked as depending on whether the phrase is negative and says that it always takes the 'ne'.  Can anyone help me understand why my answer is incorrect? Many, many thanks.

Lesson: Nous trouvons que vous ....... trop de bruit. We think you make too much noise. I used the subjonctif of fassiez and you say it’s faites which doesn’t seem to be subjonctif. This notebook lesson doesn’t help with my issue. What do I have wrong? Thanks for your help. 

What is the exact difference between il est and c'est?

Suggestions please, for the best way to find the vocabulary given at the start of each writing exercise and dictée. I use the WordReference app and the unabridged Collins Robert dictionary, but frequently find that phrases in particular are difficult or impossible to find, which makes the vocab list unhelpful. Thanks.