Note that l'un/l'une agrees in gender with the object it refers to.

James H.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Note that l'un/l'une agrees in gender with the object it refers to.

Tu veux fraise ou vanille? - Ni l'un ni l'autre. I note that both `fraise` and `vanilla` are feminine, therefore should the reply not be Ni l`une ni l`autre?
Asked 7 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi,

The actual question is " Quel parfum tu veux ? vanille ou fraise? "

Answer: " Ni l'un, ni l'autre",  as it agrees with parfum which is masculine.

Hope you all read this...

Ron T.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour James, I think that you are correct because «fraise» is definitely a feminin noun. This is one that Aurélie needs to reply to as there could be a grammaire rule that I am unaware of. Note that l'un/l'une agrees in gender with the object it refers to. Tu veux fraise ou vanille? - Ni l'un ni l'autre. Do you want strawberry or vanilla? - Neither. Bonne chance !
Andy N.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Really interesting. I can't say for sure but I do know that "ni l'un ni l'autre" is often a fixed expression in French. I also notice that in the examples given, that agreement is shown in relation to an aforementioned masculine or feminine person, and is perhaps not required (or maybe it just gets forgotten) when relating to the gender of an object. I suspect it would apply to animals but perhaps not with asexual nouns (which still technically have a grammatical gender of course).
Susan M.C1Kwiziq community member
Bonjour Ron, Did Aurélie ever respond to this question? The lesson hasn't been changed to "Ni l'une ni l'autre" to respond to the "fraise ou vanille" question.

Note that l'un/l'une agrees in gender with the object it refers to.

Tu veux fraise ou vanille? - Ni l'un ni l'autre. I note that both `fraise` and `vanilla` are feminine, therefore should the reply not be Ni l`une ni l`autre?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...