Son/Sa/Ses or Notre/Nos with Il faut

Richard D.B1Kwiziq community member

Son/Sa/Ses or Notre/Nos with Il faut

Hello,

The lesson states the possessive adjectives son, sa or ses should be used with il faut, and notre/nos / votre/vos are never used. 

In the quiz, "Il faut faire nos valises immédiatement." was listed as a correct answer to the question "How could you say "We must pack immediately." ?".

Shouldn't it be "Il faut faire ses valises immédiatement"?

Asked 4 months ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Richard, 

Maybe it's me but I couldn't find this particular example in the quiz questions attached to the lesson you pinned, could it be from another one ?

Gilbert Charles J.C1Kwiziq community member

"il faut" is an impersonal verb phrase in French, often used to express necessity, obligation, or need. The phrase "il faut" translates to "it is necessary" or "one must" in English and does not change according to the subject. It remains "il faut" regardless of who the subject is or what the number or gender of the noun is. So I could also say: "Il faut faire vos valises..."

There is no rule in French grammar that mandates the use of only the possessive adjectives "son," "sa," or "ses" with the impersonal construction "il faut."

Richard D. asked:

Son/Sa/Ses or Notre/Nos with Il faut

Hello,

The lesson states the possessive adjectives son, sa or ses should be used with il faut, and notre/nos / votre/vos are never used. 

In the quiz, "Il faut faire nos valises immédiatement." was listed as a correct answer to the question "How could you say "We must pack immediately." ?".

Shouldn't it be "Il faut faire ses valises immédiatement"?

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...