On an test I received for this lesson. Kwiziq says "it is extraordinary that something happened" translates in French to "il est extraordinaire que quelque chose se soit passé"
My thoughts: "it is extraordinary that something happened" seems to refer to a certain factual event , already in the past, which is not a suggestion, wish, etc. , so why use subjonctif ? This clearly is not the same as "It is important for something to happen..."
Merci,
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
The subjunctive follows many impersonal expressions like 'il faut' or 'il est nécessaire que ' or in this case 'il est extraordinaire que ' but many more conveying a mixture of emotions -
Il est temps que vous arriviez = It's time that you arrive
Il est bon qu'elle soit au courant = It's good for her to be in the know
Il est triste qu'elles aient perdu tout leur argent= It is sad that they lost all their money
Il est prudent /urgent que vous lui disiez la vérité = It is prudent/urgent for you to tell her /him the truth
etc...
Hope this helps!
In French one uses the subjunctive with superlative statements. And this one qualifies as one.
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