Question 1

Why is certains masculine plural here, and is it a pronoun or an adjective?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, certains is an indefinite adjective because it is placed directly before the noun participants. Since participants is masculine plural, certains takes the masculine plural form. If it were a pronoun, it would stand completely on its own, like: Certains sont en retard (Some are late).

Question 2

Wait, doesn't certain mean sure? Why does it mean some here?

Accepted Answer

It can mean both, depending on where you put it! When placed before the noun, as in certains participants, it means some or a certain group of. If you place it after a noun or use it as a standard adjective describing a state, it means sure or positive (for example, un fait certain means a sure fact).

Question 3

Could I use quelques instead of certains in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could say quelques participants (a few participants) and the grammar would be perfectly fine. However, certains often carries a slight implication of contrast, meaning some participants (but not all of them). Quelques simply points out a small quantity without emphasizing that contrast.

Question 4

Why do we use en retard instead of just tard for late?

Accepted Answer

In French, en retard specifically means delayed or behind schedule, which applies to people, transport, or events. Tard refers strictly to the time of day being late. You say Il est tard (It is late in the day), but for people arriving past the agreed time, they are always en retard.

Certains participants sont en retard aujourd'hui.

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