What is the rule regarding the position of "magnifique", before and after?

Ronald P.A2Kwiziq community member

What is the rule regarding the position of "magnifique", before and after?

Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Ronald,

Here is an previous answer from one of our Kwiziq expert on this very topic: why-is-magnifiques-placed-differently-in-2-sentences

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Ronald,

Have a look here and in particular the comment by itka a French contributor.

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/fr-magnifique-place-de-ladjectif.769109/

I think this will answer your query.

Bonne continuation.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I think the discussion on Wordreference (see link posted by Jim) is interesting. There seems to be a larger point, though. If you put an adjective (that usually goes after the noun) before the noun it becomes very specific and intimately associated with the noun.

La Callas avait une voix magnifique. -- Callas had a magnificent voice.
La magnifique voix de La Callas... --  The magnificent voice of Calla....

Notice that the article precedes "magnifique voix" in the second example, suggesting that "magnifique voix" is treated almost like a compound noun. In the first sentence it is "la voix" that is then further specified by the adjective "magnifique". This suggests a looser connection. Note also, that the article in the more general version is the indefinite article, whereas in the latter example it is the definite article.

Ronald P. asked:

What is the rule regarding the position of "magnifique", before and after?

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