Question 1

Why do we use the past conditional aurait fini here instead of the future perfect aura fini?

Accepted Answer

Because the main verb pensait is in a past tense. In French reported speech, a thought or statement about a future completed action (what she originally thought: I will have finished) must backshift. The future perfect shifts to the past conditional to keep the timeline consistent.

Question 2

Since both subjects are elle, could we simplify this by using the infinitive avoir fini instead of a que clause?

Accepted Answer

Not without changing the meaning. Elle pensait avoir fini translates to She thought she had finished. To keep the specific would have meaning, showing an expected future outcome from a past perspective, you need the que clause with the past conditional aurait fini.

Question 3

What exactly is a mise à jour and how do I make it plural?

Accepted Answer

It is the standard French term for an update, literally translating to a putting to day. Because the core noun is la mise, the phrase is feminine. To make it plural, only that first noun takes an s, becoming les mises à jour.

Question 4

Is l'échéance the only word for deadline in French?

Accepted Answer

No, you will also frequently hear la date limite. Both are great choices at a B2 level. L'échéance often implies the expiration of an allotted time period or a due date, while date limite is a general cut-off date.

Elle pensait qu'elle aurait fini la mise à jour avant l'échéance.

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