the usage of l'indicatif after "que" for "comment ça se fait que"

Umi O.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

the usage of l'indicatif after "que" for "comment ça se fait que"

Bonjour,

Recently, I saw a video by a French prof saying that we use l'indicatif after the pronom relatif "que" in "comment ça se fait que" for an informal conversation.

Is it correct?

Thank you very much for your response!!!

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Umi,

In my opinion you would use:

the indicative after ‘Comment ça se fait que ...’ 

which is a lower register to the more elegant

‘ Comment se fait-il que ...‘ which will be followed by the subjunctive.

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Umi,

Yes, you have to use ‘que’ after ‘comment ça se fait’ or ‘comment se fait-il’ -

Comment ça se fait que vous arrivez en retard ?= How come (that) you are arriving late?

In English it has disappeared but very much essential in French...

Umi O.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Bonjour Cécile,

Thank you very much for your response.

Sorry!! I think I didn't explain well for the question I had.

My question was le subjonctif vs l'indicatif after the pronom relatif "que" for "Comment ça se fait que..."

It seems that we must use le subjonctif, however, I saw a video by a French professeur saying that l'indicatif is used in an informal conversation.

For example, "Comment ça se fait que t'es encore en retard ?"

Instead of, "Comment ça se fait que tu sois encore en retard ?"

Thanks very much!!!

umi

Umi O. asked:

the usage of l'indicatif after "que" for "comment ça se fait que"

Bonjour,

Recently, I saw a video by a French prof saying that we use l'indicatif after the pronom relatif "que" in "comment ça se fait que" for an informal conversation.

Is it correct?

Thank you very much for your response!!!

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