Breakdown of L'objet n'est pas convoité, d'autant moins qu'on voit un défaut avec la loupe.
être
to be
un
a / an (masculine)
on
one / we (informal)
avec
with
ne
not (used before the verb)
pas
not (used after the verb)
voir
to see
l'objet
the object, item (m)
le défaut
the flaw / the defect
convoité
coveted
la loupe
the magnifying glass
d'autant moins que
all the less since
Questions & Answers about L'objet n'est pas convoité, d'autant moins qu'on voit un défaut avec la loupe.
Why use d'autant moins que instead of d'autant plus que in this sentence?
D'autant moins que translates to "all the less since" or "especially since (not)." It is used here because the first half of the sentence establishes a negative state (n'est pas convoité). The defect makes the object even less desired. If the object were highly desired because of a rare feature, you would instead use d'autant plus que ("all the more since").
Does the que in d'autant moins que require the subjunctive for the following verb?
No, it takes the indicative! As a B2 learner, you are likely on the lookout for subjunctive triggers, but d'autant moins que introduces a factual cause ("since we actually see a defect"). Because it expresses a stated reality rather than doubt, possibility, or emotion, it is followed by the normal present indicative voit.
What exactly does convoité mean here?
It is the past participle of the verb convoiter, meaning "to covet," "to lust after," or "to deeply desire." It is a slightly formal but very common word when talking about highly sought-after items, like rare antiques, real estate, or prestigious jobs. Used here in the passive voice, it means the object simply isn't highly sought after.
Why is it qu'on voit rather than que nous voyons?
While on frequently replaces nous ("we") in everyday spoken French, here it functions perfectly as the indefinite pronoun "one" or "people in general." The sentence implies "especially since anyone looking sees a defect," making it a universal statement about the object's noticeable flaw rather than a story about a specific group of people.
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