Example "Nous étions restés bons amis..."

Kevin C.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Example "Nous étions restés bons amis..."

Regarding this example:

Nous étions restés bons amis, jusqu'à ce qu'il la rencontre.We'd remained good friends, until he met her.

...should it not be 

Nous étions restés bons amis, jusqu'à ce qu'il l'a rencontrée.

...?

Asked 5 years ago
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I think "la rencontre" is correct, because jusqu'à ce que must be followed by the subjunctive. The present subjunctive is used rather than the past ("l'ait rencontrée") because they stopped being good friends as soon as he met her. (In general the past subjunctive is used when the action in the subordinate clause precedes the main clause.)

See: Jusqu'à ce que + Le Subjonctif = Until [someone] does [something] in French

 

Example "Nous étions restés bons amis..."

Regarding this example:

Nous étions restés bons amis, jusqu'à ce qu'il la rencontre.We'd remained good friends, until he met her.

...should it not be 

Nous étions restés bons amis, jusqu'à ce qu'il l'a rencontrée.

...?

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
I'll be right with you...