French language Q&A Forum

For the term, change of scenery, the exercise used, "le dépaysement" with un changement de décor used as alternative. I was wondering just what the distinction or nuance in the 2 terms is. Please explain when you would use one over the other. Thanks.

In the sentence 'Il semblerait que, de nos jours, personne ne soit capable de se passer de son portable, et ce, même pendant la nuit' why is 'ce' used rather than 'ça' ?

It's spelt "notable".

Hi there, I was wondering if you could explain the present tense in the following sentence:

Mais c'était avant qu'ils ne reçoivent plus de 15 millions de paquets de la part des 26.000 buralistes de France...

Why is "reçoivent" in present (subjunctive)?

Thanks!

Hello,

I know that the reflexive verb introduction is in the A1 level but, when should one learn about the passive and subjective  pronominals?

Thanks

Nicole

Marie préparer un voyage

Depuis has gotten confusing in this forum likely due to one comment stating emphatically that Depuis is used for a duration that starts and ends in the past. The lesson says no such thing, yet the incorrect comments show no clarification, and we are left to wonder. If Depuis cannot be used for a duration that starts and ends in the past, then something should be mentioned in the lesson, or, better, corrections should be added in response to the incorrect forum comments. Otherwise, it is confusing. Thank you much.

Hi there,

I realize the rule is stated towards the beginning of the lesson, but I think an example would be very useful there, contrasting the use of aimer qqch meaning to love something with aimer qqch meaning to like something.

Elle aime sa nouvelle veste -- she loves her new jacket

Il aime son nouveau manteau -- he likes his new coat

As a side note, I really appreciate the distinction of change in meaning when the construction is interrogative :)

In some cases, I chose other words which were not accepted.  In particular, 'valide' instead of 'valable', 'choix' instead of 'options', and 'avoir l'intention de' instead of 'prévoir'.   In the context, were these incorrect, not the best choice, or just synonymes?   Thanks for all of your help.  The question and answer section is quite beneficial! 

Would there be a difference in meaning between using avoir vs. ètre when saying I’m late/early?  The English translations show the exact meaning. So is it ok if someone were to use ONLY avoir OR être?