Back to the present tense

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Back to the present tense

There are a lot of interesting tense changes to consider in this exercise! But why do we hop back into the present tense here:


“until she gave birth to her daughter Claude”


“jusqu'à ce qu'elle accouche de sa fille Claude”


“jusqu'à ce qu'elle donne naissance à sa fille Claude”

Asked 1 year ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

It's actually the present subjunctive, because of "jusqu'à ce que".

Jusqu'à ce que + Le Subjonctif = Until [someone] does [something] in French

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I haven't read the exercise, but French often uses the present tense (historic present) to relate a story. This is a stylistic element to more intimately involve the reader in the action, to draw him into the story.

Brian E. asked:

Back to the present tense

There are a lot of interesting tense changes to consider in this exercise! But why do we hop back into the present tense here:


“until she gave birth to her daughter Claude”


“jusqu'à ce qu'elle accouche de sa fille Claude”


“jusqu'à ce qu'elle donne naissance à sa fille Claude”

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
Getting that for you now...