Elle m'a répondu- I take that the past participle here is not feminine because the me (which refers to the female narrator) is an indirect object?
Kind regards,
Kevin
gender of indirect object
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Kevin C.Kwiziq community member
gender of indirect object
This question relates to:French writing exercise "Taking Grandma phone shopping"
Asked 2 years ago
Bonjour Kevin,
Elle m'a répondu = she replied [to me] -> répondre à qqn / to reply to [sb]
m' = indirect object + refers to a woman -> the past participle only agrees with a direct object when the direct object is placed before 'avoir + past participle' - this is not the case here
See link here about when the past participle agrees: special cases when the past participle agrees in number and gender (see 'Attention')
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !
Jim J. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Kevin,
"Marielle took her grandmother to buy a mobile phone."
répondre à (qqn) so although the speaker is feminine (Marielle) I agree with you that this is an indirect object.
Jim
Chris W. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
No, the past participle (répondu) is in the gender neutral (male) form because the auxiliary verb is "avoir". It would be matched to a direct object only, never an indirect object, and only if the direct object precedes the verb.
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