Breakdown of Quelle que soit son intolérance, il ne boit jamais de lait.
être
to be
il
he
ne
not (used before the verb)
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
le lait
the milk
boire
to drink
son
his/her/its (son, sa, ses)
jamais
never / ever
quel que
whatever ... may be (m/f/pl)
l'intolérance
the intolerance (f)
Questions & Answers about Quelle que soit son intolérance, il ne boit jamais de lait.
Why is it "Quelle que" instead of "Quel que"?
Why does the verb "soit" come before the subject "son intolérance"?
In this specific concession structure (quel que + être + subject), the verb être always comes right after quel que, meaning the subject is inverted and placed at the end of the clause. Also, remember that être must be in the subjunctive mood here, which is why we use soit.
Wait, "intolérance" is feminine. Why does the sentence use the masculine possessive "son" instead of "sa"?
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