Agreement between noun and adjective

Luciana A.A2Kwiziq community member

Agreement between noun and adjective

 "et leurs moules à la provençale ont l'air délicieuses"


Why is it that "délicieuses" is plural, in agreement with "moules", and not with "l'air"?

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Luciana, 

The expression 'avoir l'air' means to seem / to look and the adjective will agree with the noun it refers to, unless you use the general -

ça a l'air bon = that looks good 

but

ces prunes ont l'air bonnes = these plums look good

elle a l'air fatiguée = she looks tired

etc.

 

Camilla M.B2Kwiziq community member

If in this expression the adjective agrees with the subject and not with "air", why in the sentence "leur carte n'a pas l'air mal", the adjective is masculine and not feminine "male"?

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Good question Camilla,

It is because 'mal' (like 'bien') here, is an invariable adverb.

Nothing to do with the adjective/noun male , the opposite of femelle.

Bonne Continuation !

Luciana A. asked:

Agreement between noun and adjective

 "et leurs moules à la provençale ont l'air délicieuses"


Why is it that "délicieuses" is plural, in agreement with "moules", and not with "l'air"?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...