Imparfait subjunctive?

Paul F.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

"Il avait même fallu que les autorités démentissent le canular". According to a conjugation guide I use, this sentence appears to use "démentir" in the subjunctif imparfait, which I think is rarely used today in French. Would it be better as "que les autorités démentent" (present subjunctive)? Or maybe "aient démenti" if a subjunctive in the past tense is needed here?

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "April Fool's Day in France."

Dictation exercise B2

Asked 2 years ago

Like2Answer1

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Thank you for pointing this out Paul, it has now been corrected!

Bonne Continuation !

Like12 years ago

Paul F. asked:

imparfait subjunctive?

"Il avait même fallu que les autorités démentissent le canular". According to a conjugation guide I use, this sentence appears to use "démentir" in the subjunctif imparfait, which I think is rarely used today in French. Would it be better as "que les autorités démentent" (present subjunctive)? Or maybe "aient démenti" if a subjunctive in the past tense is needed here?

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