Question 1

Why do we use the subjunctive soit in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The main clause Nous ne pensons pas que expresses a negative opinion. While affirmative opinions like Nous pensons que state a perceived fact and take the indicative, making them negative introduces doubt or subjectivity, which requires the subjunctive mood.

Question 2

Could we use ce instead of il before soit?

Accepted Answer

In standard French, you need il because il soit pertinent de is an impersonal expression. When an impersonal adjective is followed by de plus an infinitive, you must use the pronoun il. You might hear ce used this way in casual spoken French, but il is the correct written form.

Question 3

Why is there a d' before adopter?

Accepted Answer

The grammatical structure for this type of phrase is il est (or soit in the subjunctive) + adjective + de + infinitive. The impersonal construction requires the preposition de to link the adjective pertinent to the action being described, which is the infinitive adopter.

Question 4

Does the French word pertinent have the exact same meaning as the English word 'relevant'?

Accepted Answer

It is very close and works perfectly here to mean appropriate or well-suited to the situation. However, English speakers often use 'relevant' simply to mean that something is on topic. In French, pertinent carries a stronger implication that a point is insightful, smart, or highly appropriate.

Nous ne pensons pas qu'il soit pertinent d'adopter cette approche.

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