Avoir l'air (+ adj)

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Avoir l'air (+ adj)

The recommended translation for 'tiny hairy faces seemed worried' is 'de minuscules visages hirsutes avaient l'air inquiet' - inquiet agreeing with air rather than the subject visages.

Is it not also an option that it agree with visages?

I am looking in Larousse which says that the adjective following air agrees with the subject of the sentence if that subject is a thing and, often, with the subject if it is a person ('Elle a l'air sérieuse').

Asked 1 year ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

That's a very good question, Tom which got me thinking as I could think of several examples where it might vary but wasn't aware of a particular rule.

Maybe the following page from Le Robert sheds light on it -

https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/guide/accord-de-l-adjectif-qualificatif-avec-avoir-l-air

 

Hope it helps!

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci, Cecile, c'est très pertinent

CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour Tom,

We have now amended the scoring to accept the answers with inquiets and préoccupés.

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Avoir l'air (+ adj)

The recommended translation for 'tiny hairy faces seemed worried' is 'de minuscules visages hirsutes avaient l'air inquiet' - inquiet agreeing with air rather than the subject visages.

Is it not also an option that it agree with visages?

I am looking in Larousse which says that the adjective following air agrees with the subject of the sentence if that subject is a thing and, often, with the subject if it is a person ('Elle a l'air sérieuse').

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