A question about negating the first verb of double verbs in a French sentence.

ANDREW G.A2Kwiziq community member

A question about negating the first verb of double verbs in a French sentence.

Duolingo gives a sentence: 

"You will have to not make a lot of errors during the exams."

The sentence is awkward and the given answer is:

"Il ne faudra pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs pendant les examens"

but It also accepts:

"Il faudra ne pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs pendant les examens"

as you suggest it should be above.  Are both forms acceptable when negating the first of double verbs, is this a unique situation, or is there another explanation?

Asked 3 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Frankly, in that case I would say "You have to avoid making many errors" in English. The sentence as given above is more than awkward. But now to your questions:

Il ne faudra pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs. -- You won't have to make many mistakes.
Il faudra ne pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs. -- You will have to not make many mistakes. You will have to avoid making many mistakes.

 

 

A question about negating the first verb of double verbs in a French sentence.

Duolingo gives a sentence: 

"You will have to not make a lot of errors during the exams."

The sentence is awkward and the given answer is:

"Il ne faudra pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs pendant les examens"

but It also accepts:

"Il faudra ne pas faire beaucoup d'erreurs pendant les examens"

as you suggest it should be above.  Are both forms acceptable when negating the first of double verbs, is this a unique situation, or is there another explanation?

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