My old computer = Mon ordinateur ancien or Mon ancien ordinateur ?

Ateesh H.B1Kwiziq community member

My old computer = Mon ordinateur ancien or Mon ancien ordinateur ?

Why does the quiz mark my answer wrong when i choose: j'ai donné mon ordinateur ancien à la associe....it says correct option is '...mon ancien ordinateur...' but wouldn't that mean 'the last/previous computer that i owned' as per the rule described ?

Is this an exception as in French there are so many exceptions to a rule :( ? 

Or is it a mistake in the quiz ? Please clarify . Thanks

Asked 4 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

My "old" computer can, in English, also mean my "previous computer": this is my new computer and that's my old one. But it could also mean my "old computer": this is my current computer, it is a very old model. In French you distinguish between the two by placing ancien either before (former) or after (old) the noun.

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

That was a poor reply.  How can we tell whether it is an old model computer or a former computer?  We can't!  Since it uses the word "old", one must guess it is an old model.  Or, since there is no way to tell from the statement, both answers should be correct.

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

That was a poor reply.  How can we tell whether it is an old model computer or a former computer?  We can't!  Since it uses the word "old", one must guess it is an old model.  Or, since there is no way to tell from the statement, both answers should be correct.

Tim T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In English, the adjective 'old' (as used in the question) can mean 'former' as well as 'ancient'.  Hence the ambiguity.

Tim T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In English, the adjective 'old' (as used in the question) can mean 'former' as well as 'ancient'.  Hence the ambiguity.

Tim T.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In English, the adjective 'old' (as used in the question) can mean 'former' as well as 'ancient'.  Hence the ambiguity.

My old computer = Mon ordinateur ancien or Mon ancien ordinateur ?

Why does the quiz mark my answer wrong when i choose: j'ai donné mon ordinateur ancien à la associe....it says correct option is '...mon ancien ordinateur...' but wouldn't that mean 'the last/previous computer that i owned' as per the rule described ?

Is this an exception as in French there are so many exceptions to a rule :( ? 

Or is it a mistake in the quiz ? Please clarify . Thanks

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