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Cette astuce est si ingénieuse que je l'admire vraiment.

Cette astuce est si ingénieuse que je l'admire vraiment.
This trick is so ingenious that I really admire it.
From Lesson 370:Ultimate outcomes (finir par)·French

Questions & Answers about Cette astuce est si ingénieuse que je l'admire vraiment.

Why doesn't the si ... que structure trigger the subjunctive here?
The structure si ... que (so ... that) introduces a consequence or result. Because the result is a stated reality or fact (je l'admire vraiment), it takes the indicative mood. It would usually only take the subjunctive if the main clause were negative or interrogative, casting doubt on the outcome.
Could I use tellement instead of si in this sentence?
Yes! You can say tellement ingénieuse que to mean exactly the same thing. Si is often preferred when directly modifying an adjective because it sounds slightly more elegant, but both are completely interchangeable here.
What kind of 'trick' is an astuce?
Astuce implies a clever tip, life hack, or ingenious workaround. It has a very positive, practical connotation. If you wanted to talk about a magic trick or a playful prank, you would use un tour; for a deceptive trick, you would use une ruse.
Why is vraiment placed at the end of the sentence?
In French, adverbs that modify a verb must follow the conjugated verb. While in English we naturally put the adverb before the verb ('I really admire it'), French requires the order je l'admire vraiment. Placing the adverb before the verb is a very common trap for English speakers.

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