Questions related to “Impressionner”

Question

Why is “the best answer” given as “Mes parents seront trop impressionnées”? Doesn’t the “ées” imply that both parents are female?

Also, could “impressionnant” be used instead of “impressionnés”? What would be the difference in meaning?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Jim !
First of all, the difference between impressionné and impressionnant is the same as impressed  vs impressive :) My own "memory trick" in the case of such adjectives is as follows : 
- é = -ed-ant = -ing-> interest-ed/-ing, amus-ed/-ing, etc...
Secondly, regarding impressionnées, indeed we made the agreement here thinking of the option of two female parents, however forgetting that the term "parent" is French is masculine in itself. So thanks to your feedback, we've now removed the feminine option.
And finally, as Brian's instinct correctly assessed, "seront impressionnés" is indeed the passive voice, as you could add the complement "par mes progrès" for example. The past participle following être behave exactly as an adjective here.
I hope that's helpful!
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi Brian,I must admit to being somewhat confused by the piece that I have read in the exercise.As I understand it  --If the verb impressionner is being used in the active voice so takes avoir and should have a past participle impressionné in the future antérieur. (My parents will be impressed)Only in the future passive voice would the grammar come up with "seront impressionnés. (The parents will be impressed by your girlfriend)Impressionnant is an adjective.Looking forward to what others may comment?Jim

Answer

Ah, ok, thanks.

In “Mes parents seront trop impressionnées” I had interpreted “...seront...impressionnées” as indicative future passive voice.

Both “impressionnant” and “ impressionné” (i.e. the past participle of impressionner) are adjectives (I think I’m right in saying). I wonder what the difference is in meaning/usage between them.

Answer

Hi Brian,I remain in agreement with you about the past participle. Only Elles subject pronoun would justify PP as impressionnées.I don't think that you can replace impressionnant with the past particle. Impressionnant should be modifying a noun. Jim

Answer

Ahhh, that’s a useful way of thinking about the distinction. I’m always looking for ways to tease out these differences, and to ‘clear the fog’ from my understanding :)Thanks Jim