French language Q&A Forum

Why is de soeurs correct instead of des soeurs?

Why is it wrong to use se tremper as well as avoir tort?

(I saw a related question below, but didn't see how to link this question to that one... so I'm starting a new question.)

My question is about how to think about the meaning of "ainsi que." It's translated as "as well as," but in some examples I run into a singular treatment when my brain seems to expect a plural. I think the lesson here for me is that this isn't a translation that works in some cases. I'm wondering if my feeling is true for American English but maybe not for other varieties?

Here's the sentence that tripped me up:

Les Etats-Unis, ________ l'Angleterre, sont un pays anglophone.The United States, as well as England, is an anglophone country.
In English, I actually wouldn't say a sentence like in the translation above - I would say "The United States, like England, is an anglophone country." OR "The United States and England are anglophone countries." I just wouldn't use "as well as" in that way. So my takeaway is that I shouldn't lean in to heavily on using this as a 1-for-1 translation. Does this work better in, say, British English? Thanks.

In an exercise I should fill in the following gap:

Mon fils ________ aller aux toilettes.

I choose "envie d'" but the solution seems to be "a besoin d'". But one example in the lesson about "Avoir envie de = To feel like, want to (Avoir envie de = To feel like, want to (French Expressions with avoir))" is:

So I would like to know, if both are correct. And if not, how do I choose the right one?

Best regards,
Martin

At the end of the exercise, I would find it helpful to view my full (botched) transcript of the exercise alongside Kwizbot's. It could be toggled on or off from viewing.  

Question on a test: “What are all the possible ways to say 3 o’clock”  Marked incorrect for NOT choosing the following highlighted answer. Why do I need “de l’après-midi” if I am using “quinze”? Isn’t it obvious that I am speaking of the afternoon?

this is frustrating. where does it say "jour" as in day? how are we supposed to know its St Julien Day and not a destination called St Julien?

Hi,can anyone please shine some light on the following: " mais n'en espérait pas moins trouver queque Poisson. I think I know that it means " nevertheless hoped to find some fish" but is this a standard expression ?. Myself I would have said au moins (il) espérait trouver queque Poisson. I don't understand the rôle of the n  and moins:  it seems backwards to me, and in a way " not hoped to at least find some fish.

I'm currently teaching my high school French students the different uses of "Bon" and "Bien". We've already studied Bien as an adverb and are now focusing on its use as an adjective. One website that I am using for example phrases gave me this sentence: "Il est bon de se reposer après une longue journée)." Another one was: "Il est bon de vérifier votre travail avant de le soumettre." Based on my understanding and recent study of this concept, it seems that both phrases should use Bien in the place of Bon.

Any thoughts or explanations are appreciated.