An old castle is still an old castle. If it was an old castle, that implies it is something else now but formerly it was an old castle. It was an old castle that we just saw OR what we are looking at not was an old castle but no longer is'
Serious ambiguity in the question. Either answer could be correct depending on context
Hi Ian,
I have had a look at the Kwiz question.
"How would you say : It was an ancient castle "
ancient meaning old -
the only correct answer ( using 'ancien' meaning 'vieux' before the noun) is
C'était un château ancien
If you said, 'Cétait un ancien château' it would mean that the building had been a château and was now used for a different purpose, it would still be old but the emphasis is on what it had been previously.
Hope this helps!
This old castle was an old castle but is now a museum, so it was formally a castle but is no longer a castle. This question is not specific enough ! Although WAS a castle, infers it is no longer a castle ! Clear as mud !!!
This old castle was an old castle but is now a museum, so it was formally a castle but is no longer a castle. This question is not specific enough ! Although WAS a castle, infers it is no longer a castle ! Clear as mud !!!
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level