French language Q&A Forum

If an adjective in the masculine has a silent -e, does the pronunciation change in the feminine?

Is there a reason why I cannot use “ étonnée “ for surprised? The answer given uses “surprise”. Thanks 

How do I distinguish between a reflexive verb where the action is happening to the subject and not to each like in reciprocity as explained here.

What's the difference between:

n'importe qui/quand/quoi/ou/comment

and 

peu importe qui/quand/quoi/ou/comment

To me, this should be translated as “My exams took place last week,” while the test results show “My exams took place in the last week,” which sounds strange in English. I'm really confused! 

Can I say: "qui se trouve dans l'île des fruits et des légumes."

instead of "qui se trouve au rayon fruits et légumes."

Hi, I had written a question on the linked lesson but I think perhaps this is a better space. I believe I had written "à un hôpital" and this was marked incorrect in favour of "dans un hôpital."

Is this because the focus of the sentence is the work experience which takes place inside the hospital? Or what is the reason why dans can be used but not à?

Merci! 

Hi, 

I thought we had to use de after negative sentences -

Elle n'aime pas les bonbons - is given as an example

Would it not be: Elle n'aime pas de bonbons? 

Unsure why les has been used here 

I'm posting this as a new question as I previously posted it as a reply and I don't think it gets picked up and answered? (See the lesson page for original question and answer)

Many thanks Jim, that helps.  I got confused because the subject of the lesson is about adding même and then these two examples don't without any explanation as to why - or perhaps I need to re-visit the basics! So it's because he is talking of/about himself.  If he was talking to himself then it would be 'Il aime vraiment parler à lui-même' ?  Also, what if he was saying 'He really likes to talk of/about him' ie a third person - what would be the distinction?

Also, since I posted this I've looked at the lesson on stress pronouns and I'm even more confused. This lesson gives the example of 'Je parle de lui - I speak of him'. So would 'Il parle de lui' be 'He speaks of/about him' or 'He speaks of/about himself'? Help!!