quand + present?

Laura M.C1Kwiziq community member

quand + present?

Does this mean you can't use quand in the present?

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Laura, 

To answer your question precisely- no, you cannot say in French -

Quand je suis vieille 

but

Quand je serai vieille = When I am old

 talking about actions in the future.

Quand il m'apportera mes tomates ... = When he brings me my tomatoes ...

You use the future after quand.

Hope this helps!

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Laura,

The lesson explains the difference in meaning between English and French in this context.

What does "quand" suggest (in this context)? It suggests something is about to happen after the point in time that "quand" refers to. This is why the timeframe has to be the future period forward from "quand".

Does this help?

Jim

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Of course it is possible to use the present in other contexts, e.g.

Quand Monique arrive-t-elle ?

Quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansent. 

quand + present?

Does this mean you can't use quand in the present?

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