Breakdown of C'est la modernisation du réseau électrique qui est très importante.
être
to be
ce
it / this (with être)
très
very
qui
who
important
important
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
électrique
electric
le réseau
the network
la modernisation
the modernization
Questions & Answers about C'est la modernisation du réseau électrique qui est très importante.
How does nominalization work in this sentence compared to using a verb?
Instead of using a verbal clause like qu'on modernise le réseau (that we modernize the network), the sentence uses the noun la modernisation. When an action verb with a direct object is transformed into a noun, that object is usually connected to the new noun with de. Here, le réseau connects via de, which contracts with le to become du réseau.
Why is importante feminine when le réseau électrique is masculine?
The adjective importante must agree with the subject it describes. In the C'est ... qui structure, the relative pronoun qui acts as the subject for est très importante. The antecedent of qui is the core noun of the emphasized phrase, which is la modernisation (feminine singular), so the adjective must match it.
What is the effect of using C'est ... qui instead of just starting with La modernisation?
This is a cleft sentence structure (mise en relief) used for emphasis. While La modernisation du réseau est très importante is grammatically correct, framing it with C'est ... qui actively singles out the modernization as the specific thing that matters most, implying a contrast with other less important issues.
Would it be correct to say la modernisation de réseau électrique instead of du réseau?
No, because we are talking about a specific network, meaning the definite article le is required. The preposition de combined with le always contracts into du. Using just de without the article would incorrectly imply a generic category rather than an actual, specific grid.
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