Ch 23 · Lesson 17French · Chapter 23 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer
Il me semble or il semble, and de sorte que
me and take the indicative, usually the subjunctive; takes the subjunctive for an aim, the indicative for a result.
The short version
takes the indicative
.
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reports an impression nobody vouches for, and usually takes the subjunctive: . Add me and it becomes your own view, close to , so the indicative: me a . , apparently, takes the indicative too.
Il semble or il me semble?
Two letters change the mood:
.- It seems to me he is right. (my view, close to.- It seems he is right. (an impression nobody vouches for)
usually takes the subjunctive; you will also meet it with the indicative when the writer is sure. With me, , or it is a personal view and takes the indicative.
(apparently) passes on a report as fact, so it takes the indicative:
.- Apparently she has left.
De sorte que: aim or result
One conjunction, two meanings, and the mood tells the reader which:
| Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| aim | . | Speak up so people can hear you. |
| result | , . | He spoke up, so people heard him. |
An aim is not real yet, so the subjunctive; a result happened, so the indicative. and work the same way.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| . | : indicative |
| . | : subjunctive |
| . | possible: subjunctive |
| | : indicative |
| . | a report: indicative |
Going further: Assert or not: the one question and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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