I keep messing up on the possession concept. The lesson covers possession using proper names, but does not mention rule for non-proper noun, example, the girl's pen (unless I missed something). The correct way is apparently the pen of the girl, le stylo de la fille, and not le stylo de fille. Can you add a note to the lesson to accentuate this, such as found on Lawless site, https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/possessive-de/

Asked 7 years ago

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Frank C.C1KwizIQ Q&A regular contributor

Coach seating

What is the term for seats in coach?

Asked 5 years ago

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Betsy D.B2KwizIQ community member

Des autres vs d’autres

Regarding this test question and my wrong answer and correct answer: “How would you say "One has to earn others' respect." in French?

Il faut gagner le respect des autres. (Correct)

Il faut gagner le respect d’autres. (My wrong answer)

I’ve read the lesson numerous times as well as the discussion below and nothing explains why I was marked wrong on this question. Is there something about “il faut” that is like “se server de” in the lesson’s example that would require “DES autres” instead of “d’autre”? The translation is not “of THE others”, just the more general “others”.

Asked 3 years ago

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Frank C.C1KwizIQ Q&A regular contributor

Translation of English present participle

I am a bit confused about how to translate certain uses of the present participle of an English verb. Sometimes the French use the construction, en + present participle, and and at other times they use à + infinitive. This story has two examples. The first: "...was dragging on the ground while making a horrible rattling noise." 'While making' is translated as 'en faisant', i.e. en + present participle. The second example: "Michel and his dad had spent whole weekends fixing..." This translation of the present participle 'fixing' (one could also think of while fixing to align with the first example) is 'à réparer', i.e. à + infinitive. Are these two constructions simply options, i.e. one could use either, or is there some guidance as to when to use one or the other? I hope my question is clear. Thanks in advance. BTW, I loved the theme for the workout as it has practical application since most of us drive. Also, I was impressed that a native French person would know Americain slang like 'beater'.

Asked 4 years ago

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Diane d.C1KwizIQ community member

je voudrais v j'aimerais. Aren't these interchangeable?

In a recent test, the answer required was "mes parent aimeraient ce qu'on se marie" and the response "'voudraient'' was not accepted. Aren't either regularly used to mean "'would like?" I think technically the former is would like and the latter is would want, but that seems pretty subtle. For example, in ordering food "'Je voudrais avoir . . . .''

Asked 6 years ago

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Mariano M.C1KwizIQ community member

Shouldn't "avant qu'ils aient mangé" be "avant qu'ils n'aient mangé" ?

I thought you always used the "ne + subjonctif" construction after "avant que"

Asked 6 years ago

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