Why is this wrong?

Sagar J.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why is this wrong?

On the quiz, I missed this question:

Tu aimes le violet ? Oui, ________ est très joli!

I answered with 'il', because it fits the criteria that we are not talking about something general, but something specifically referred to previously: the color violet. The answer was actually "c'".

Can you explain why?

Asked 5 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Sagar,

Have a look here: tu-aimes-le-violet-oui-c-est-tres-jolie

Bonne journée !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I guess if the context were about a specific violet, like the third one from the left in a bunch of them, then you would il. The question, as I understand it, is asking about violets in general. Sometimes in French you use the singular in this case, where in English you would use plural.

Sagar J.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Chris.

Thanks for your reply. I thought violet in this context meant "purple". Or does it, in fact, refer to the flower ?

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

You are probably right. Could refer to the color, too. In that case it is the same kind of reasoning. The general color asks for ce instead of il.

Sagar J. asked:

Why is this wrong?

On the quiz, I missed this question:

Tu aimes le violet ? Oui, ________ est très joli!

I answered with 'il', because it fits the criteria that we are not talking about something general, but something specifically referred to previously: the color violet. The answer was actually "c'".

Can you explain why?

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