Question 1

Why do we use pour here instead of pendant to mean 'for'?

Accepted Answer

We use pour to express a projected or intended duration in the future. Even though the verb is in the present tense (est), the renewal sets up an intended timeframe of one year. You would use pendant for the actual, continuous duration of an action, usually in the past or general present.

Question 2

Could I say pour une année instead of pour un an?

Accepted Answer

For simple counting and basic measurements of time, French prefers an. You use année when focusing on the span of time itself or what happens during it, which is why it is almost always used when there is an adjective attached (like une année entière for 'a whole year'). Since this is just a standard contract measurement, un an is the standard choice.

Question 3

Is there a mandatory liaison between un and an?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because un is an article ending in a consonant letter and an begins with a vowel, you must carry the n sound over. It is pronounced almost like un-nan. Note that there is no liaison between pour and un because the r in pour is already fully pronounced.

Question 4

How is the word renouvelable formed, and why does it have only one 'l'?

Accepted Answer

It is built from the verb renouveler (to renew) and the suffix -able (capable of being). The spelling uses a single l because it is based on the infinitive root renouvel-, unlike some of its present tense conjugations (like il renouvelle) which require a double l for pronunciation reasons.

Le contrat est renouvelable pour un an.

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