Il s’agit de vs il s’agit à

Eugene M.C1Kwiziq community member

Il s’agit de vs il s’agit à

Hello, please explain why s’agit à construction was used in the phrase « Il s'agissait à l'origine d'une cérémonie honorant l'explorateur René Robert Cavelier«

Thank you

This question relates to:French dictation exercise "Mardi Gras in New Orleans"

Dictation exercise C1

Asked 4 days ago

Like0Answer2

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The construction is still "il s'agit de", but with the addition of the adverbial phrase "à l'origine" (originally). Without this, you would have "Il s'agissait d'une cérémonie honorant l'explorateur René Robert Cavelier".

Like04 days ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Agree with Alan. Just think of the phrase "à l'origine" as being interspersed between agissait and de.

Like03 days ago

Eugene M. asked: