Question 1

Why is the adjective net and not nette here?

Accepted Answer

Because the noun it describes, message, is masculine. If we were describing a feminine noun, like une réponse (an answer), we would use the feminine form. As you are learning in this lesson, for adjectives ending in -et, you make them feminine by doubling the final consonant and adding an -e, turning net into nette.

Question 2

How do we know son message means "his message" and not "her message"?

Accepted Answer

By itself, we don't! The possessive adjective son is used here simply because the noun message is masculine. In French, possessives match the gender of the object being owned, not the owner. Therefore, son message can mean "his message", "her message", or "its message". You would just rely on the rest of the conversation to know who sent it.

Question 3

I thought the word for "clear" was clair. Can I use net to mean the exact same thing?

Accepted Answer

They are very close synonyms, but net carries the specific idea of something being "sharp", "distinct", or "unambiguous". For example, it is used for a sharp, high-definition image, or a blunt, direct message. Clair is a bit broader and can also mean "bright" or "light-colored".

Question 4

Do I pronounce the "t" at the end of the masculine word net?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Even though final consonants are usually silent in French, the "t" in net is pronounced. When you use the feminine form nette, you also pronounce the "t" sound, but it is articulated slightly more strongly because of the -e at the end of the word.

Son message est très net.

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