MelodyB2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Question about some translations in this lesson

I am confused as to when to use the present tense vs. the passe compose. For example: Rien n'est arrivé. Nothing has arrived.Nothing has happened. It is to do with the use of "has". For Rien n'est arrivé. Nothing has arrived.Nothing has happened. Why not Nothing arrived.Nothing happened. Or, why not say Rien n' arrive

This question relates to:French lesson "Personne ne ..., rien ne ... = No one, nothing (negation)"

Asked 4 years ago

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AurélieKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Bonjour Melody !

Actually in this case, I agree that "Nothing happened/arrived" would be a more common translation. However, you could also use "Nothing has happened", as Le Passé Composé overlaps both Present Perfect and Simple Past.
If you said "Rien n'arrive", it would mean either "Nothing happens/arrives" or "Nothing is happening/arriving".

You can also have a look at this lesson:
Using 'depuis' (since / for) with Le Présent and NOT Le Passé Composé (prepositions of time)

I hope that's helpful !
Bonne Année !

Like04 years ago

Melody asked:View original

Question about some translations in this lesson

I am confused as to when to use the present tense vs. the passe compose. For example: Rien n'est arrivé. Nothing has arrived.Nothing has happened. It is to do with the use of "has". For Rien n'est arrivé. Nothing has arrived.Nothing has happened. Why not Nothing arrived.Nothing happened. Or, why not say Rien n' arrive

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