A wish or desire...

helen w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

A wish or desire...

Does this lesson apply in this example:

I want to say, I would really like to see you when I come to Paris.""  Which is correct?

J'aimerais bien te rencontrer quand je serai venue à Paris!  ou J'amerais bien te rencontrer quand je viens à Paris.

If the latter is incorrect, should I just think of this as saying... "when I will have come to Paris." 

Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I think it would be unusual in French to say “ quand je viendrai à Paris “ in this context. I don’t think the English use of ‘when I come (there)’ translates directly in this situation. 

More likely “ quand je serai à Paris “, when you are currently elsewhere, or if you are in Paris talking about something to happen on a return visit, probably “ quand je reviendrai à Paris “. 

 

 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The futur antérieur isn't appropriate in this context. The present tense is OK but sounds very immediate. Probably, you'd use the ordinary future tense: J'aimerais bien te rencontrer quand je serai à Paris. (Note: read the comment by Maarten).

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

And I think you would only use the futur antérieur if you wanted to place the action of the quand clause obviously before that of the conditional: 'J'aimerais bien te rencontrer quand je me serai installée à Paris'.

helen w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Given that the correct answer, which has been marked, states that we'd use the future tense and not the future antérieur -- can someone explain why this is the case? The action of the quand phrase comes before the conditional.  Or, is it that it can be either way?

And thank you for your answers.

Anne D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Sorry to go off on a tangent - I have a lot of bother with translating "meet", and wonder why you use "rencontrer" here for a planned meeting?

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Anne, no context to confirm the case here, but the use of ‘ rencontrer ‘ indicates they will be meeting for the first time. 

‘Rencontrer’ has 2 uses - the chance running into someone, or meeting (planned or otherwise) someone for the first time. 

The attached link is good for background and  developing a feel for the use of the many verbs and expressions in French related to coming/going and meeting people. 

When you get the hang of it, the specificity of the various terms actually aids understanding - hard to believe when it is seems so hard to grasp initially, but true !   

https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-verb-conjugation/to-meet-up/

A wish or desire...

Does this lesson apply in this example:

I want to say, I would really like to see you when I come to Paris.""  Which is correct?

J'aimerais bien te rencontrer quand je serai venue à Paris!  ou J'amerais bien te rencontrer quand je viens à Paris.

If the latter is incorrect, should I just think of this as saying... "when I will have come to Paris." 

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