Question 1

Why do we use où here instead of que or qui?

Accepted Answer

In this lesson, où acts as a relative pronoun meaning 'where'. It connects the two halves of the sentence by referring back to a place (la rue). You use où because the musicians are parading inside a location, rather than the street being the direct object (que) or the subject doing the parading (qui).

Question 2

Since la rue is feminine, why do we start the sentence with C'est instead of Elle est?

Accepted Answer

When you introduce or point something out using a noun accompanied by an article (like la), you must use c'est. You only use il est or elle est when describing a specific thing with just an adjective, or telling someone's profession without an article.

Question 3

Is the -ent ending on défilent pronounced?

Accepted Answer

No, it is completely silent! The verb défilent comes from the regular verb défiler (to parade or march). Because the subject is les musiciens (they), we use the plural -ent ending, but it is pronounced exactly the same as the singular form défile.

Question 4

Why does où have an accent mark on the u?

Accepted Answer

The grave accent on où (where) is there purely to distinguish it in writing from ou (or). Both words are pronounced exactly the same way, but the accent prevents confusion when you are reading.

C'est la rue où les musiciens défilent.

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