“inspira” possible typo?

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

“inspira” possible typo?

Could you explain the word “inspira” in “du naufrage qui inspira ce tableau”, which you translate as “of the shipwreck which inspired this painting“. 


Should this instead be the adjective “inspiré” in the passive voice, as this is the past participle of “inspirer”?

Asked 3 years ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

No, it's correct - it's the passé simple which is a past tense used mainly in literature. 

If you click on the text in the exercise, you'll see a list of related grammar lessons as well as the translation. In this case there's a link to this:

 Conjugate all French -er verbs - including "aller" - in the historic past (Le Passé simple)

From that lesson you can get a link that describes the passé simple in general.

Conjugate all French -er verbs - including "aller" - in the historic past (Le Passé simple)

(These are actually different links, but for some reason Kwiziq is showing the same text for both of them here. It looks correct when I edit this post.)

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Ahhhh, I see! Perfect, thanks Alan. 

Brian E. asked:

“inspira” possible typo?

Could you explain the word “inspira” in “du naufrage qui inspira ce tableau”, which you translate as “of the shipwreck which inspired this painting“. 


Should this instead be the adjective “inspiré” in the passive voice, as this is the past participle of “inspirer”?

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
Let me take a look at that...