La Grand-Place

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill)C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

La Grand-Place

Here is the phrase: "Enfin, j'arrive sur la Grand-Place et je retrouve mon frere a cote de la fontaine." 

Note: "La Grand-Place" was given as the hint for this sentence, otherwise I might have written, "la Grande-Place", (even though the pronunciation is "grand" and not "grande").

Does anyone know why " la Grand-Place", rather than "la Grande-Place" since "la place" is feminine ?

Merci beaucoup !

Asked 1 year ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

La Grand-Place - a compound adjective-noun, retains grammatical gender of the noun. ‘Grand’ is an invariable adjective in compound nouns - as in ‘ma grand-mère’.

  https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/compound-noun-gender/

N. Hilary (Shamrockhill)C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci Maarten,

I guess I never really thought about "ma grand-mere" but it's a great example of "grand" being an invariable adjective in a compound noun. The lesson you suggest is very helpful, too. There is a reference in that lesson:

 "Note that the adjectives demi and grand are invariable in compound nouns – more about this in a future lesson."

I have searched the site, but can't seem to find the lesson. It would be very useful, I am sure. 

Help, please ?

Et, comme toujours, Merci beaucoup !

MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I assume the lesson on compound plurals is what Laura referred to - I know of no other lesson in Laura’s site on the topic.  For interest, ‘grand-mères’ seems to still be the officially (Académie) endorsed plural (note though that ‘grands-pères’ is official). 

In practice, and according to Robert and a number of other references, “grands-mères” is also used and correct, despite the “official” view (many French people have little time or regard for the Académie) ! 

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/compound-noun-plurals/

La Grand-Place

Here is the phrase: "Enfin, j'arrive sur la Grand-Place et je retrouve mon frere a cote de la fontaine." 

Note: "La Grand-Place" was given as the hint for this sentence, otherwise I might have written, "la Grande-Place", (even though the pronunciation is "grand" and not "grande").

Does anyone know why " la Grand-Place", rather than "la Grande-Place" since "la place" is feminine ?

Merci beaucoup !

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