Question 1

Why do we use entre here instead of parmi?

Accepted Answer

We use entre (between) because we are comparing two distinct, explicitly named items: cette catégorie and l'autre. You use parmi (among) when something is mixed into a larger, undivided collective group, such as parmi ces catégories (among these categories).

Question 2

Why do we start with Quelle est rather than Qu'est-ce que to ask 'What is'?

Accepted Answer

When asking 'What is [noun]?' to identify a specific fact, choice, or detail, you must use the interrogative adjective Quel/Quelle followed by the verb être. You would only use Qu'est-ce que if you were asking for the broad dictionary definition of the concept itself.

Question 3

Why does autre have an article (l') in front of it?

Accepted Answer

In French, autre rarely stands entirely alone; it needs a determiner. Here, l'autre acts as a pronoun replacing the implied noun phrase l'autre catégorie. You need the definite article l' to specifically mean 'the other one'.

Question 4

I sometimes see a similar word spelled différend with a 'd' at the end. Can I use that here?

Accepted Answer

No, they are different words! Une différence (feminine, ending in 'ce') means a distinction between things, which is exactly what we need here. Un différend (masculine, ending in 'd') is a noun that refers to a personal disagreement, argument, or dispute.

Quelle est la différence entre cette catégorie et l'autre ?

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