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Steven F.C1Kwiziq community member

Vieux vs Vieil

Asked 7 years ago

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Beverley R.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Using "moins" for minutes to

I thought that between noon and midnight (including midnight), one never used "moins", but always used minutes past. Or, is midnight perhaps regarded as a.m.?

I can't find it in any lessons which explain this, other than one example in the A1 lesson. There is no explanation, however. Can you please explain to me the rule about when you can and cannot use "moins"for minutes to the hour.

Thank you

Asked 6 years ago

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Paul B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Plus tard

"Adverbs of place and certain adverbs of time usually FOLLOW the past participle:

e.g. tard, tôt,... and some adverbs ending in -ment

Il est parti tard."

But the "correct"micro-quiz answer for the placement of "plus tard" is at the beginning or end of the sentence. Does adding "plus" modify the normal placement of "tard"?

Asked 6 years ago

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Louise G.A2Kwiziq community member

Vous vous couchez tard?

Asked 8 years ago

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Mags M.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I wasn't sure whether to use singular or plural form of lapreau. In English it's plural, but I had an idea it woukd be singular in French. Why?

Asked 8 years ago

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Adrian C.B1Kwiziq community member

L'année dernière, j'ai été vraiment malade vs L'année dernière, j'étais vraiment malade(re-posting as as new question) Bonjour Aurélie ! Thank you very much for taking the time to respond, That's very helpful. May I please clarify to ensure I understand? So the use of Le Passé Composé draws attention to a specific instance or time when the speaker was sick last year - for example, if during the month of February s/he had been very ill and was referring to this, it would be correct to say L'année dernière, j'ai été vraiment malade. However, if the speaker is referring more generally to having been ill, perhaps even on several different occasions throughout the year and not drawing attention to a specific occasion of being ill, it would be correct to use L'année dernière, j'étais vraiment malade. Can it be said that Le Passé Composé is more likely to be used to draw attention to the sickness, whereas the use of L'Imparfait might be used if one were drawing attention to the nature of last year rather than particularly drawing attention to the sickness? I know it's a different question, but could you also please let me know if it is acceptable to say: j'ai été mangé (I have been eating) - and whether it is a common construction in French. Many thanks again!