il nous a laissé partir.

Lina S.B2Kwiziq community member

il nous a laissé partir.

il nous a laissé partir.


Why in this case there isn't an agreement? Should it be

il nous a laissés partir.

Thank you.


Asked 3 years ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

When laissé is followed by an infinitive, it's not wrong to make the agreement, but the latest spelling reforms recommend against it. The logic is that the direct object is actually the verb "partir", not the word "nous".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforms_of_French_orthography#Past_participle_agreement

 

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Lina,

Nous can be an indirect or direct object pronoun.

As I understand it, the french means "He has let us go" so yes, nous should be the direct object and because it appears before the verb; should require concordance with the past participle laissé.

I agree with you and suggest you file a possible error report.

Jim

Lina S. asked:

il nous a laissé partir.

il nous a laissé partir.


Why in this case there isn't an agreement? Should it be

il nous a laissés partir.

Thank you.


Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!