synonymous or separate?

Matthew T.A1Kwiziq community member

synonymous or separate?

The lesson states that using the pronoun "on" is equivalent to using the pronoun "nous" to indicate "we", but when appearing in a quiz it says that using "nous" is incorrect and "on" is correct. If there is a significant difference in usage, then it should be explained in the lesson, as it fails to do so. If it states that they are synonymous and exchangeable in use, then correction needs to be to that effect. I can't learn how to use them for what they mean when in dictation they are one thing but are another thing entirely when put into practice.
Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
In meaning, they are interchangeable, however they are not followed by the same verb conjugations:
we are = "nous sommes" = "on est" (same form as "il/elle")
LauraNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq
Bonjour Matthew, Can you please post an example of a case where "on" was marked incorrect? It may have been a simple matter of verb conjugation - if the question was something like "___ habitons ici depuis 10 ans," the answer can only be "nous" due to the conjugation habitons.

synonymous or separate?

The lesson states that using the pronoun "on" is equivalent to using the pronoun "nous" to indicate "we", but when appearing in a quiz it says that using "nous" is incorrect and "on" is correct. If there is a significant difference in usage, then it should be explained in the lesson, as it fails to do so. If it states that they are synonymous and exchangeable in use, then correction needs to be to that effect. I can't learn how to use them for what they mean when in dictation they are one thing but are another thing entirely when put into practice.

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
Let me take a look at that...