Question 1

Why is there an -ils added after the verb when we already have the subject Les consommateurs?

Accepted Answer

This is a rule called complex inversion. In formal questions, if the subject is a noun (like Les consommateurs) instead of a pronoun, it must stay at the very beginning of the sentence. To form the question, you then add the matching pronoun (ils) and invert it with the verb.

Question 2

The English translation says 'Have... been evaluating', so why is the French verb évaluent in the present tense?

Accepted Answer

In French, when an action started in the past and is still happening right now, you use the present tense with depuis (since). English uses the past-focused 'have been doing', which often trips up learners. Because the consumers are still evaluating it today, French treats it as a present action.

Question 3

Why isn't there an extra -t- added between the verb and the pronoun, like we see in a-t-il?

Accepted Answer

You only add an extra -t- for pronunciation when the verb ends in a vowel and the pronoun starts with a vowel. Here, évaluent already ends in a consonant (t), so a simple hyphen is all you need. Note that you will still distinctly pronounce that t when saying évaluent-ils!

Question 4

Where does the word l'emballage come from?

Accepted Answer

It comes from the verb emballer, which means to pack, wrap, or package something. Adding the suffix -age turns the action into a noun, giving us un emballage (packaging or wrapper).

Les consommateurs évaluent-ils l'emballage depuis hier ?

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