Why is this incorrect?

Sanchita S.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why is this incorrect?

I did a quiz and got this question: "Which of the following adjectives are correctly placed?"

un extrêmement vieux parchemin


 I selected the answer above but it said it was incorrect. I thought if the adverb was 2+ syllables, then vieux would follow after. Can someone explain?

Asked 2 years ago
CélineKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Sanchita,

As per Chris's answer, when an adjective is linked to an long adverb (2 or more syllables), the adverb is placed after the noun as in the 2 examples from Chris's answer:

Long adverbs  /  Short adverbs:

Un vieux parchemin -> Un parchemin extrêmement vieux

Un bon vin -> Un vin extrêmement bon

Un vieux manteau -> Un très vieux manteau

Une jolie photo -> Une très jolie photo

 

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Good question. Actually, it should be behind the noun as in un parchemin extrêment vieux. And rule #5 of the lesson you link to specifically states that. Also, in another lesson (Position of French Adjectives - Short and common adjectives that go BEFORE nouns), this specific example is given to illustrate this point:

un bon vin -- un vin extrêmement bon

As this example shows, the group of adverb+adjective as a whole moves behind the noun.

Sanchita S.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you SO much, I couldn't figure out the logic behind this for the life of me and was getting very frustrated getting the answers wrong continuously. Thank you again!

Angelocheck L.A2Kwiziq community member

The main word is a noun. So you must decide where to place the adjective or the modifier + adjective - BEFORE or AFTER that noun you speak about. That is the question! Where do you put modifier + adjective? Think about rules, choose and decide. 

Why is this incorrect?

I did a quiz and got this question: "Which of the following adjectives are correctly placed?"

un extrêmement vieux parchemin


 I selected the answer above but it said it was incorrect. I thought if the adverb was 2+ syllables, then vieux would follow after. Can someone explain?

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