Ch 32 · Lesson 19French · Chapter 32 · Lesson 19 · Grammar primer
Si difficile que ce soit; qu'il vienne ou non
However + adjective is or + adjective + + subjunctive, and whether or not is a bare : , .
The short version
However difficult:
, .
Why?Hide
However plus an adjective is or , the adjective, and the subjunctive: , . This has nothing to do with if. In everyday speech, says much the same with the indicative.
Whether or not:
, .
Why?Hide
A bare at the start gives whether ... or, with the subjunctive: , . When a full second clause follows, comes back: . and need nothing after them.
However + adjective: si difficile que
For "however" + an adjective, French uses or , then the adjective, then and the subjunctive:
| Opener | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| , . | However hard it is, we must. |
| , . | However rich he is, he is unhappy. |
| , . | However clever he is, he is wrong. |
| , . | Rich as he is, he is unhappy. |
This is not the of "if", and the si clause rules do not touch it. ... traditionally takes the indicative, because grants the quality as a fact; the subjunctive is increasingly found there too.
In everyday speech, + indicative does the same job: , . - Even if it is difficult, we have to do it.
Whether or not: qu'il vienne ou non
A bare at the start of the sentence gives "whether ... or ...", with the subjunctive:
, .- Whether he comes or not, we will leave at eight., .- Whether you agree or not, it is decided., .- Rain or shine, the match will go ahead.
When a whole second clause follows, comes back ( ). and need nothing after them.
Mistakes English speakers make
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| | concession: subjunctive |
| | concession: subjunctive |
| | two words before a verb |
| | both agree with the plural noun |
| | there is no |
... | | ... : subjunctive |
Going further: Quoi que: whatever and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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