Although v. “Even if”This lesson describes “although” and “even if” as “similar” but states that “although” is “more elegant and subtle” than “even if.” This is not quite right. There is a significant difference in meaning. “Although” is usually followed by a concession/affirmation of fact, while “even if” is followed by a hypothetical assumption (without a concession/affirmation of fact).
For example:
“Although I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” — I am admitting I stole the hat.
“Even if I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” There is ambiguity here. I am not necessarily admitting I stole the hat. I am saying that, even assuming I stole the hat, I don’t deserve the death penalty.
It’s unclear to me if there is a similar distinction in meaning in French between bien que and meme si which explains why one form takes indicative and the other subjunctive. I would expect the version that is closer to although and which affirms a fact to take indicative, and the other subjunctive. At least that is how it works in Spanish - “aunque” with indicative is “although,” and “aunque” with subjunctive is “even if.”
This lesson describes “although” and “even if” as “similar” but states that “although” is “more elegant and subtle” than “even if.” This is not quite right. There is a significant difference in meaning. “Although” is usually followed by a concession/affirmation of fact, while “even if” is followed by a hypothetical assumption (without a concession/affirmation of fact).
For example:
“Although I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” — I am admitting I stole the hat.
“Even if I stole the hat, I did not deserve the death penalty.” There is ambiguity here. I am not necessarily admitting I stole the hat. I am saying that, even assuming I stole the hat, I don’t deserve the death penalty.
It’s unclear to me if there is a similar distinction in meaning in French between bien que and meme si which explains why one form takes indicative and the other subjunctive. I would expect the version that is closer to although and which affirms a fact to take indicative, and the other subjunctive. At least that is how it works in Spanish - “aunque” with indicative is “although,” and “aunque” with subjunctive is “even if.”
I'm a little confused because I was under the impression that when you talk about something in general (not a specific thing), then you use le / la / les
For example, "Les trains sont grands" = Trains are big.
Not any one particular train, just trains in general.
In my latest quiz I was asked to translate "Aurélie eats bread."
To me that is a general statement, we're talking about bread in general, not any particular loaf or piece of bread. In the same way you could say "I don't eat meat". So I put "Aurélie mange le pain", but this is apparently incorrect and instead should be "du pain".
I would have thought "Aurélie mange du pain" would translate to "Aurélie is eating some bread", no?
Thanks
Remplacez avec un pronom convenable.
Elle place une statue de bronze à l'entrée de la maison.
Les mots soulignés sont "Une statue de bronze".
1) Elle en place une à l'entrée de la maison
ou
2) Elle la place à l'entrée de la maison.
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