I am giving you the keys so that you can come in versus I am calling you so that you can come?

Jennifer C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I am giving you the keys so that you can come in versus I am calling you so that you can come?

In the first sentence puisses entrer is used, in the second viennes with the can understood. Is it a general rule that can is as it were rolled into the subjunctive unless a physical possibility is being discussed?
Asked 7 years ago
Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Jennifer, I am unable to locate the phrase in the lesson for your comparative example: I am calling you so that you can come For your second example, this is how I would/could state it: Je vous appelle pour que vous pouvez venir. (this is technically incorrect) For the first part of the example, the use of le subjonctif présent is correct. One thing to keep in mind is this: I think that the examples given are for demonstration of the grammar point. Here is another translation for the first example: «Je vous remets les clés de sorte que vous pussiez entrer» As one can readily see, this phrase also uses le subjonctif. Having said that, there are phrase constructs that allow for not using le subjonctif, here is one link: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/tas8.html There are some schools of thought that teach this method. For myself, I prefer to learn le subjonctif usage correctly. Bonne chance dans vos études en français. Ron
Jennifer C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
The full sentences given were as follows:- Je t'appelle pour que tu viennes - I'm calling you so you can come (in one of the quizes) and Je te donne mes clés pour que tu puisses entrer - I'm giving you my keys so that you may come in - from the pour que lesson. I just wondered why the first example did not use puisses venir which would have followed what the second example did.
Jennifer C. asked:

I am giving you the keys so that you can come in versus I am calling you so that you can come?

In the first sentence puisses entrer is used, in the second viennes with the can understood. Is it a general rule that can is as it were rolled into the subjunctive unless a physical possibility is being discussed?

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
I'll be right with you...