"l'a défini" and "la définit"

boticelli [.C1Kwiziq community member

"l'a défini" and "la définit"

How do I distinguish between "l'a défini" and "la définit" from speech? Are there any clues to point at the tense used?

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Boticelli, 

Good question! Normally, I would say context but it doesn't really work here.

The difference is between 

La constitution qui la définit = The constitution which defines it 

and 

La constitution qui l'a définie = The constitution which has defined it 

Having said this, as the text is in the present tense it is correct to say 'qui la définit' in the present tense.

I have always wondered why we are still in the Cinquième  République , I have never known (consciously)  any other as it dates back from 1958 but I asked a French lawyer this very question and she answered me that it needs a change in the constitution which hasn't happened since De Gaulle made some important changes at that time.

You might be interested in finding out about those on the following page -

https://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/la-constitution/que-change-le-regime-de-la-veme-republique-institue-par-la-constitution-du-4-octobre-1958-par

Bonne Continuation!

 

"l'a défini" and "la définit"

How do I distinguish between "l'a défini" and "la définit" from speech? Are there any clues to point at the tense used?

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