Etre en retard versus Avoir de retard

ClaudeB2Kwiziq community member

Etre en retard versus Avoir de retard

I was asked to write "I am 10 minutes late" and I wrote "Je suis dix minutes en retard". I was told that this is incorrect, and the correct answer is "J'ai dix minutes de retard". Don't they both mean the same thing? Was I wrong?

Asked 2 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Check the lesson. It is either one of the two options:

"Je suis en retard de dix minutes" or "j'ai dix minutes de retard".

JimC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Claude,

I think that you may find it helpful to consider what être means and that is, a "state of being".

So "Je suis en retard (a state of being late) de (by) dix minutes."

With "avoir" you have (J'ai) a measurable degree (dix minutes) of lateness (de retard).

This works for me, it might help you?

Jim

AlisaB1Kwiziq community member

Commented in the wrong place

AlisaB1Kwiziq community member

Just had the same thing happen to me! I believe both are correct. 


Etre en retard versus Avoir de retard

I was asked to write "I am 10 minutes late" and I wrote "Je suis dix minutes en retard". I was told that this is incorrect, and the correct answer is "J'ai dix minutes de retard". Don't they both mean the same thing? Was I wrong?

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