Question 1

Since this lesson is about en attendant que and the subjunctive, why does this sentence use pendant que and the indicative verb gonfle?

Accepted Answer

This sentence is here to show a contrast. While both conjunctions relate to time passing, pendant que (while) simply states a factual simultaneous action, so it takes the indicative. In contrast, en attendant que (while waiting for / until) expresses anticipation of an outcome that hasn't happened yet, which is why it triggers the subjunctive.

Question 2

Why use ne ... aucun instead of the standard ne ... pas de for the negative?

Accepted Answer

Using ne fait aucun bruit is stronger than ne fait pas de bruit. It emphasizes that the timer makes absolutely zero noise, not even a single sound. Remember that when using aucun, you drop the pas, and the noun that follows is almost always singular.

Question 3

Is gonfler the usual verb for dough rising? I thought it meant to inflate.

Accepted Answer

Yes, gonfler literally means to swell or inflate, and it is very commonly used in baking to describe dough expanding. You can also use the verb lever (to rise), which is equally common. Gonfler just puts a bit more focus on the physical swelling of the dough.

Question 4

In spoken French, could I just drop the ne and say fait aucun bruit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in casual spoken French, the ne is very often dropped, so you will frequently hear la minuterie fait aucun bruit. However, in written or more formal French, the full two-part negation ne ... aucun is required.

La minuterie ne fait aucun bruit pendant que la pâte gonfle.

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