attendre que vs attendre kusqu'à ce que

Ned D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

attendre que vs attendre kusqu'à ce que

Is there a difference between "attendre à ce que" and "attendre que"? "J'attendrai que tu t'endormes" = "I'll wait for you to fall asleep" = "I'll wait until you fall asleep". I see no difference in meaning and the simple "que" is more elegant.


Asked 3 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

 

I am unsure whether you meant to ask about 's'attendre que and s'attendre à ce que', or 'attendre jusqu'à ce que', 

1. 'jusqu'à ce que' - until, with the lesson covering 'just (up) until' - subjunctive present, and 'until after' - subjunctive passé. Jusqu'a ce que is used with a time 'limited' situation.

The phrase '(attendre) [jusqu'a ce que] ...' is ‘(to wait) [until]...'

 

2. S'attendre que and s'attendre à ce que - ‘to expect that' - according to Larousse, either is correct, with the latter in more common use currently, and the former considered more formal/elegant/

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/attendre/6227

 

3. Attendre que - ‘to wait for' - but there is no 'attendre à ce que' 

 

 

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Ned,

I think that the nuance is between "expectation of the upcoming event"  --> "attendre à ce que"

and "waiting for"  an event --> "attendre que"

So it is down to what is in the mind of the speaker or writer when expressing their attitude towards (timescale of) an event.

This is my understanding  --  hope it helps.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The difference is stylistic mostly. Attendre à ce que stresses the event you are waiting for. 

Ned D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Sorry all, I made a typo. I meant the difference between "attendre jusqu'à ce que" and "attendre que." I'd translate "I'll wait until you get here" as "J'attendrai que tu sois là." Not sure why to add "jusqu'à ce" in most situations. (I can't think of any off the bat, but I'm sure there are some.)

attendre que vs attendre kusqu'à ce que

Is there a difference between "attendre à ce que" and "attendre que"? "J'attendrai que tu t'endormes" = "I'll wait for you to fall asleep" = "I'll wait until you fall asleep". I see no difference in meaning and the simple "que" is more elegant.


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
I'll be right with you...