French language Q&A Forum

When you write: 

In this case, tous is always pronounced [toos], to differentiate it from tout (everything)!

--do you mean in both of the following cases?

1. as pronouns to replace a pre-mentioned noun

2. as compliments to an existing plural subject

?

Merci!

When expressing the idea of passing by or popping into someone’s place is par always needed as well as chez? Examples in this lesson and the other on different uses of passer differ. 

Elle est passée chez Laurent hier. She passed by Laurent’s place yesterday.

Yann passera par chez Laura après le travail. Yann will pass by Laura’s place after work.

I was surprised to see on one of my tests that "à ma famille" could be replaced by "y," since I thought you could not use "y" as a pronoun for people. Could you use "y" in place of "à mes amis" as well, for example -- as in "Je pense à mes amis." --> "J'y pense"? Can you please clarify this rule? Thanks!

Is there only one correct choice for each sitaution or might different speakers view the situation differently and make different choices?

I find that I often get this sort of exercises wrong (for example in the "Un ville magique" test where I got 13/15 on my first attempt) but on looking again at the text and rereading the lessons I cannot convince myself that the alternative choice was better.

For example:

1. "L'endroit qui m'a enchanté au-dessus de tout, c'était le chateau de l'imperatrice Sissi". I had wrongly answered "m'enchantait" since Magalie being enchanted seems to me to be an ongoing state, not having a beginning and end.

2. "Je ne voulait pas plus repartir". I had wrongly answered "n'ai plus voulu" since the state of not wanting to leave would have ended when she actually did leave.

This is from the lesson- c’est is used when making statements or giving opinions about something in general or nonspecific. The adjective that follows is always masculine. (Sorry, it’s in my notes so not sure if direct quote but probably is.)

Question: Is it not only always masculine but singular as well?

Eg. Tu aimes les montagnes? = You like mountains? (In general)

Would it be - Oui, c’est magnifique!

This question is not specifically in the above lessons: 

My understanding is you use il/elle est or ils/elles sont with unmodified religions, nationalities or professions. Is this correct?

Il est professeur. Elles sont catholiques.

BUT if the noun is modified, then use c’est or ce sont plus an article/determiner. Is this correct?

C’est un professeur d’histoire. Ce sont mes amies françaises.

Thank you for your help!