avoir un exam?
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avoir un exam?
Is "avoir un exam" an idiom for passing an exam? Just wondering about the translation for one of the example sentences. I was thinking to pass the exam might be more like "Je veux que vous reussissiez tous votre examen?" and that the sentence above using avoir is referring to all taking or having exams? Merci pour l'aide !
This question relates to:French lesson "Conjugate avoir in the subjunctive present in French (Le Subjonctif Présent)"
Asked 7 years ago
GruffNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq
Salut Lisa,
Yes, "avoir un examen" is more likely to be understood as meaning "to pass an exam" than "to take an exam". There's more about that in these lessons:
Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)
Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam
In the case of exams, I find it more intuitive to think of "avoir" meaning "to get" rather than "to have", and the exam as a credential or certificate.
Hope that helps!
Yes, "avoir un examen" is more likely to be understood as meaning "to pass an exam" than "to take an exam". There's more about that in these lessons:
Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)">Avoir un exam = To pass an exam (French Expressions with avoir)
Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam">Differences between French and English usages - Passer un exam vs To pass an exam
In the case of exams, I find it more intuitive to think of "avoir" meaning "to get" rather than "to have", and the exam as a credential or certificate.
Hope that helps!
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