a little confusing?

jennifer A.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

a little confusing?

La ________ qu'il est venu, il n'a pas été sage.Last time he came, he didn't behave himself.How could we know if it was his final time, or just the last time he visited?dernière foisfois dernière
Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Jennifer,

I would say -

La dernière fois qu'il est venu, il n'a pas été sage.

but you could say -

Il n'a pas été sage, la fois dernière.

I think having seen several similar questions on dernier and prochain that theory and practice are sometimes at odds! 

CécileKwiziq team member

HI Jennifer,

You don’t unless you have the context...

jennifer A.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ah! Well then Cécile, without the context, we can't be marked incorrectly. 

thank you for your response...

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think that "Last time" can only mean the last time he visited. If it was the final time you would have to say "The last time he came". That would be ambiguous because it could also mean the most recent time, but I don't think "Last time" is ambiguous.

jennifer A.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

you are right, but it had indeed said 'La  - dernière fois/fois dernière?' - hence my confusion! 

Never mind, it's not that important - but I did wonder why I was incorrect...

Richard S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I agree. It’s an ambiguous question. However; let’s just grit our teeth and continue. 

Richard S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I agree. It’s an ambiguous question. However; let’s just grit our teeth and continue. 

a little confusing?

La ________ qu'il est venu, il n'a pas été sage.Last time he came, he didn't behave himself.How could we know if it was his final time, or just the last time he visited?dernière foisfois dernière

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...