using "L" before On

Dragana E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

using "L" before On

Hi, I used "Je sais que l'on ne pourrait pas visiter tous les pays" - it was not correct BUT is it gramatically correct?

From Lawless page:

3) To avoid con

After lorsque, puisque, and que, using l’on avoids the contraction and thus pronouncing (even silently inside your head) what sounds like the offensive word con.

This question relates to:French writing exercise "Around the world by motorcycle"

Freeform Writing Exercise B1

Asked 4 years ago

Like1Answer2

CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Dragana,

It should be accepted as both 'qu'on' et 'que l'on' are given as possibilities so maybe you need to use the Report it button on your correction board.

Bonne Continuation!

Like14 years ago

Chris W.C1Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The "l" in "l'on" has no grammatical meaning at all. It is like the -t- interposed in questions and commands: purely for ease of pronunciation.

Like24 years ago

Dragana E. asked:

using "L" before On

Hi, I used "Je sais que l'on ne pourrait pas visiter tous les pays" - it was not correct BUT is it gramatically correct?

From Lawless page:

3) To avoid con

After lorsque, puisque, and que, using l’on avoids the contraction and thus pronouncing (even silently inside your head) what sounds like the offensive word con.

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« Just figured out that renne (reindeer) is masculine. Hence, tous les rennes sont beaux (not belles).Why use l' and not en? »

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