Breakdown of C'est la seule actrice capable qui soit convaincante sur scène.
être
to be
sur
on
ce
it / this (with être)
qui
who
Questions & Answers about C'est la seule actrice capable qui soit convaincante sur scène.
Why is soit in the subjunctive here instead of just using est?
The subjunctive soit is triggered by the phrase la seule (the only). In French, when you use a superlative or an absolute word like the only, the first, or the last, you often follow it with the subjunctive to show that this is a strong subjective opinion or that the person stands out from everyone else.
The translation says 'She is', so why does the French use C'est instead of Elle est?
In French, you must use C'est when describing a person with a modified noun phrase (a noun with an article and usually an adjective). Because we are saying la seule actrice capable (the only capable actress) rather than just the profession on its own, we use C'est. You would only use Elle est if the noun stood alone, as in Elle est actrice.
Why are the adjectives split up, with seule before actrice and capable after it?
Why is there no article before scène in sur scène?