Learn French: Ce modèle a l'air imposant, mais il est maniable. - This model looks imposing, but it is maneuverable.

Ce modèle a l'air imposant, mais il est maniable.

This model looks imposing, but it is maneuverable.

Breakdown of Ce modèle a l'air imposant, mais il est maniable.

Questions & Answers about Ce modèle a l'air imposant, mais il est maniable.

Since both modèle and air are masculine, what is imposant actually agreeing with here?

It agrees with the subject, modèle. When using avoir l'air (to look / to seem) with inanimate objects, the adjective must agree with the subject, not with the word air. If the subject were feminine, like cette machine, you would add an e: cette machine a l'air imposante.

What is the root of the word maniable?

It comes from the verb manier (to handle), which itself comes from main (hand). It is used to describe objects, vehicles, or systems that are easy to control, steer, or operate, which is why it translates here to maneuverable.

Could I use the verb sembler instead of avoir l'air in this sentence?

Absolutely. You could say Ce modèle semble imposant. Avoir l'air and sembler both mean 'to seem' or 'to look like'. Avoir l'air is simply a bit more colloquial and extremely common in spoken French, while sembler feels slightly more formal.

Just to review, why is it ce modèle and not cet modèle?