conduite vs conduire

Question

In this sentence: Vous comparaissez devant le tribunal pour conduite en état d'ivresse
why is it not "pour conduire"
Thank you.

Chris Wirt · Answer

"Conduite" is a noun : the conduct. It is not the participle of conduire even if they look the same.

Alan Graham · Answer

It's a noun, but in this context it means "driving" rather than "conduct".

Aurélie Drouard · Answer

Bonjour Alan !
Yes here it's the colloquial judicial expression : "la conduite en état d'ivresse" = driving under the influence.
Don't forget that in English the -ing form of a verb can often be used as a noun (his driving is quite chaotic).
Bonne journée !

Alan Graham · Answer

In French there seems to be a similar pattern - the feminine past participle can often be used as a noun, as in this case.

Dr Michael Elinski · Answer

Bonjour Carole, the noun in French for driving is « la conduite ». The sentence says ....for driving under the influence of alcohol.

If you wanted to say the similar idea using the verb conduire, it would use the past participle: .... pour avoir conduit en état d’ivresse; meaning for having driven under the influence of alcohol.

Tu comprends ces explications? Sinon, écris-moi et j’essayerai de le mieux expliquer. Bonne journée.