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?
Avoir vs. être used in phases of late or early
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Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Avoir vs. être used in phases of late or early
This question relates to:French lesson "Expressing timeliness in French - late/early - precise"
Asked 3 years ago
Je suis en retard de 10 minutes.
J'ai dix minutes de retard.
The two versions are interchangeable in French as well.
Jim J. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi D,
Do we want to express the situation as a "measure" or as a "state" ahead of or behind the scheduled time?
To express the "measure" we use "avoir" or to express the "state" we use "être"
This is how I understand the two methods -- hope it helps.
Jim
D. T. asked:
Avoir vs. être used in phases of late or early
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?
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