Complimentaient versus complimentait?

Nancy P.C1Kwiziq community member

Complimentaient versus complimentait?

"complimentaient" - I would have thought that "compliment..." would agree with "sa peau", singular, and not "des lèvres" and "de magnifiques cheveux", plural. Is it because "complimentaient" is in a que clause with lèvres and cheveux? 

Asked 3 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Nancy, 

This an inversion of verb and subject often used in literary text like this tale -

complimentaient agrees with everything that comes after - les lèvres et les cheveux.

Bonne Continuation !

Dave S.C1Kwiziq community member

I had a similar question about why "que" was used instead of "qui" since what follows is a verb, not a noun, but now I see why!

Nancy P. asked:

Complimentaient versus complimentait?

"complimentaient" - I would have thought that "compliment..." would agree with "sa peau", singular, and not "des lèvres" and "de magnifiques cheveux", plural. Is it because "complimentaient" is in a que clause with lèvres and cheveux? 

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...