"Fervent défenseur d'un fédéralisme"

Lorie R.C1Kwiziq community member

"Fervent défenseur d'un fédéralisme"

I'm curious about the adjective placement in "fervent défenseur." Would it be equally correct to say "un défenseur fervent" as a way to start this sentence?

Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Lorie,

'Fervent' is part of a category of adjectives which meaning changes depending on whether they are placed before or after the noun. 

C'est un amour fervent = it is a passionate love

C'est un fervent défenseur de la politique européenne he is a staunch defender of the European policy

 Such adjectives tend to have a more subjective / metaphorical meaning when placed before the noun, whilst they keep their first / objective meaning when placed after the noun.

Here is a link on this particualr topic: adjectives-that-change-meaning-according-to-position-certain-specific-sure

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Lorie,

I suspect the placement of the adjective will depend on what type of "defender" is being described?

Strong, staunch, enthusiastic, ardent, passionate?

That's what occurs to me  --  hope it helps.

Jim

"Fervent défenseur d'un fédéralisme"

I'm curious about the adjective placement in "fervent défenseur." Would it be equally correct to say "un défenseur fervent" as a way to start this sentence?

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