Question 1

Why is cela used here instead of ceci?

Accepted Answer

In French, cela is used to refer back to a concept, idea, or statement that was just mentioned. Because it points backward to the first half of the sentence (Sa conviction est forte), cela is the natural choice. Ceci is usually used to point forward to something you are about to say or introduce.

Question 2

Would it be wrong to use ça instead of cela here?

Accepted Answer

It would not be grammatically wrong to say ça explique le jugement, but ça is mostly used in spoken and informal French. Cela is preferred in written language or more formal registers, which suits the slightly formal vocabulary of this sentence (conviction, jugement).

Question 3

If the translation says 'His conviction', why does the French use the feminine sa?

Accepted Answer

Remember that in French, possessive adjectives agree with the thing being owned, not the owner. Because the word conviction is feminine, you must use sa, even if the person who holds the conviction is a man. Out of context, sa conviction could mean 'his conviction' or 'her conviction'.

Question 4

Why can't we use il to mean 'it' or 'that' in the second clause?

Accepted Answer

Personal pronouns like il or elle are used to replace specific nouns. In this sentence, the subject of the second clause isn't a single noun; it is the entire preceding idea that his conviction is strong. To refer to a whole clause or situation, you need a neutral demonstrative pronoun like cela.

Sa conviction est forte, cela explique le jugement.

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