6

In a textbook I just read the question

Quel est le sentiment qui les unis?

I don’t understand this. If it’s the sentiment that’s doing the uniting, why is it “unis” rather than “unit”?

I thought perhaps that a compound tense is being used, but wouldn’t it then be

Quel est le sentiment qui les a unis?

Please can somebody explain the tense and grammar rules being used here? Thanks

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    Your understanding is right; either emendation would correct the textbook's error.
    – Luke Sawczak ♦
    Commented May 13, 2018 at 17:02
  • Ok thank you. I hoped it was a mistake.
    – cpp beginner
    Commented May 13, 2018 at 17:06
  • 1
    Answering to the why part. This is a relatively common mistake often due to a loss off attention which causes lazy writing so the pronoun les is confused with the article les and then the instinct leads the writer to put what follows "at the plural" just like if it was a noun. The fact unis and unit are pronounced exactly the same way might also play a role here.
    – jlliagre
    Commented May 13, 2018 at 19:48

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

I don’t understand this

Which is perfectly understandable, because the textbook contains an error. The tense is simply présent de l'indicatif, and as you correctly mentioned, it should be written: "Quel est le sentiment qui les unit ?".

Edit: And as Luke Sawczak wrote in a comment, "Quel est le sentiment qui les a unis ?" is indeed also correct. Tense here is passé composé.

Improve this answer
3

Quel est le sentiment qui les unis ?

is incorrect (probably a typo).

Correct forms are:

Quel est le sentiment qui les unit ? (présent de l'indicatif)

Quel est le sentiment qui les a uni(e)s ? (passé composé)

Quel est le sentiment qui les unit ? (passé simple)

The respective forms in the plural would be:

Quels sont les sentiments qui les unissent ? (présent de l'indicatif)

Quels sont les sentiments qui les ont uni(e)s ? (passé composé)

Quels sont les sentiments qui les unirent ? (passé simple)

Improve this answer
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.