Kilo Lingo

Ch 32 · Lesson 10

Le seul, le premier, il n'y a que toi qui saches

, and take the subjunctive too ( me ), agrees with , and keeps the indicative.

The short version

, , : subjunctive too

.

That is the only person who understands me.
Why?

, , and claim that nothing else , the same oversized claim as a superlative, so they take the same mood: me . is different: means when there, and the verb stays indicative.

'y a : takes toi's person

.

You are the only one who knows how to do it.
Why?

After 'y a , the verb agrees with the word before , not with : 'y a , 'y a . after is simply wrong, whatever mood you choose.

Le seul, le premier, le dernier

subjunctiveWhat do the colours mean?

A second family makes the same oversized claim: nothing else . , , and take the same mood as a superlative.

ExclusiveExampleEnglish
the only person who understands me
the first student to have understood
the last thing I want to hear
the only possible solution

Il n'y a que toi qui saches

the ending that agreesWhat do the colours mean?

... (only) belongs to the same family, and it hides a second trap: the verb after takes the person of the word before it, never a default third person.

WhoFrenchEnglish
only I know
only you know
only he knows
only we know
only you (plural) know

The subjunctive is the careful choice here, but the indicative is common too ( ). The person is never optional: after is simply wrong.

Two that skip the subjunctive

indicativeWhat do the colours mean?

and look like exclusives, but there means "when". There is no claim to weigh, so the verb is indicative:

  • . - This is the last time I'm telling you.
  • . - It is the first time I have come here.

And there is a way round the whole question: plus an infinitive. No relative clause, no mood to choose, and it is good French:

  • . - He is the only one who understands.
  • . - She is the first to leave.

Going further: Superlatives: a judgement, not a fact and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

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Lesson 10 of 29 in this chapter

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What do the colours mean?