L’imparfait ou plus-que-parfait for this Level C1 question

Dorothy M.C1Kwiziq community member

L’imparfait ou plus-que-parfait for this Level C1 question

For the question, “Je ne voulais pas écouter ________ . I didn't want to listen for fear that you'd be lying”. “De peur que tu ne mentes” is given as the correct answer. Why not de peur que tu n’aies menti?
Asked 7 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer
"...de peur que tu ne mentes" -- ...for fear that you'd be lying.
"...de peur que tu n'aies menti" -- ...for fear that you had been lying.

-- Chris (not a native speaker).
Dorothy M.C1Kwiziq community member
Sorry - question concerns the present or past subjective
Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir Dorothy, If the clause is «for fear that you would have been lying» then the subjonctif passé would be appropriate. However, because the dependent clause is «for fear that you would be lying» it requires the use of the subjonctif present.

L’imparfait ou plus-que-parfait for this Level C1 question

For the question, “Je ne voulais pas écouter ________ . I didn't want to listen for fear that you'd be lying”. “De peur que tu ne mentes” is given as the correct answer. Why not de peur que tu n’aies menti?

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