Question about some translations in this lesson
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Melody S.Kwiziq 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) in French"
Asked 7 years ago
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 the present tense (Le Présent) - and not the compound past (Le Passé Composé) - in sentences with "depuis" (since/for) in French (French Prepositions of Time)
I hope that's helpful !
Bonne Année !
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 the present tense (Le Présent) - and not the compound past (Le Passé Composé) - in sentences with "depuis" (since/for) in French (French Prepositions of Time)
I hope that's helpful !
Bonne Année !
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