Question 1

Why do we use the indicative est here instead of the subjunctive?

Accepted Answer

The structure tout + adjective + que expresses a concession (like 'however' or 'even though'), but unlike bien que, it always takes the indicative mood. Because you are stating a confirmed fact—the prototype really is innovative—French requires the indicative est.

Question 2

If the prototype were feminine (like notre nouvelle machine), would tout change to agree with it?

Accepted Answer

In this structure, tout acts as an adverb meaning 'however' or 'as'. Usually, adverbs don't change form. But there is a quirky French rule: tout must agree in gender and number if it precedes a feminine adjective starting with a consonant or an aspirated 'h'. Because novatrice starts with a consonant, a feminine version of this sentence would be Toute novatrice qu'elle est.

Question 3

Can I translate Tout novateur qu'il est simply as 'Even though it is innovative'?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. While the French structure maps somewhat closely to 'As innovative as it is,' in English we often express this naturally as 'Even though it is innovative,' 'However innovative it is,' or 'Innovative though it is.'

Question 4

What is the exact meaning of défaillant here?

Accepted Answer

Défaillant is an adjective related to the verb défaillir (to fail or to give way). When talking about technology, a system, or a prototype, it means 'faulty,' 'unreliable,' or 'prone to breaking down.'

Tout novateur qu'il est, notre nouveau prototype est souvent défaillant.

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