Christopher asked: "Why "J. a descendu le géant." can't mean "J. climbed down on the giant" ?"
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
25/10/16
Bonjour Christopher !
The form "avoir descendu" can only mean "to go/come/climb down" SOMETHING: this meaning doesn't apply to people or animated beings.
With animated beings, "avoir descendu" means "to take down -> to shoot them down, to kill them"
If you wanted to say "He climbed down ON the giant", you would use "être descendu" as it would be followed by a preposition such as "de" (off/from) or "le long de" (along):
"Il est descendu du géant. / Il est descendu le long de la jambe du géant. (along the giant's leg)"
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
The form "avoir descendu" can only mean "to go/come/climb down" SOMETHING: this meaning doesn't apply to people or animated beings.
With animated beings, "avoir descendu" means "to take
If you wanted to say "He climbed down ON the giant", you would use "être descendu" as it would be followed by a preposition such as "de" (off/from) or "le long de" (along):
"Il est descendu du géant. / Il est descendu le long de la jambe du géant. (along the giant's leg)"
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
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Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
25 October 2016
1 reply
Christopher asked: "Why "J. a descendu le géant." can't mean "J. climbed down on the giant" ?"
This relates to:
Descendre can be used with avoir or être in Le Passé Composé... and changes meaning -