Question 1

Why do we use soit instead of est in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Because the verb penser is in the negative form (ne pense pas). Affirmative opinion verbs take the indicative (est), but making them negative introduces doubt, which triggers the subjunctive (soit).

Question 2

Would I still use the subjunctive if the sentence was affirmative?

Accepted Answer

No. If your associate actually thought it was relevant, you would state it as a fact using the indicative: Mon associé pense que la proposition est pertinente. We only use the subjunctive here because the negation removes that certainty.

Question 3

How does this rule apply if I want to ask a question, like 'Does he think the proposal is relevant?'

Accepted Answer

When you ask a question using formal inversion, you are questioning a certainty, which also triggers the subjunctive. You would say: Pense-t-il que la proposition soit pertinente ? However, if you use casual spoken questions with est-ce que, the indicative is often kept.

Question 4

Can associé be used for any type of partner?

Accepted Answer

No, un associé specifically refers to a business partner, associate, or a shareholder in a company. For a romantic partner, you would typically use words like mon conjoint, mon compagnon, or ma compagne.

Question 5

Is the adjective pertinente a false friend?

Accepted Answer

No, it is a very reliable cognate. In French, pertinent (or pertinente in the feminine form used here to agree with la proposition) means relevant, appropriate, or making sense in a given context, just like 'pertinent' in English.

Mon associé ne pense pas que la proposition soit pertinente.

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