Question 1

Why do we use "celle" here instead of "celui"?

Accepted Answer

Celle means "the one". It is feminine singular because it refers back to the noun la mousse (the moss), which is feminine. If we were referring to a masculine noun instead, we would use the masculine form celui.

Question 2

Why is it "celle qui" and not "celle que"?

Accepted Answer

We use qui because "the one" is doing the action: it is the subject of the verb pousse (grows). If "the one" were the object of the action, we would use que. For example, you would say celle que je vois (the one that I see).

Question 3

In English we say "the same moss AS the one". Why is the French word "que"?

Accepted Answer

In French, comparisons of equality using même (same) are followed by que. The structure is always le/la même [noun] que (the same [noun] as). You cannot use the direct translation of "as" (comme) in this structure.

Question 4

Doesn't the verb "pousse" normally mean "pushes"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the verb pousser usually means "to push". However, when you are talking about plants, hair, or teeth, pousser translates to "to grow". To talk about a person or an animal growing up, you would use a different verb, grandir.

C'est la même mousse que celle qui pousse sous le chêne.

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