Question 1

Since this lesson is about feelings and the subjunctive, why isn't the subjunctive used here?

Accepted Answer

Even though ressentir expresses a feeling, you only use the subjunctive when there are two different subjects connected by que (for example, if you wanted to say "I feel the need THAT YOU leave"). Because the person feeling the need and the person leaving are the same here, you avoid the subjunctive and simply use de followed by the infinitive verb partir.

Question 2

Why use ressentir instead of sentir to mean "to feel"?

Accepted Answer

While both verbs mean "to feel", ressentir is typically used for deep internal emotions, psychological states, or complex feelings like a need. Sentir is more commonly used for basic physical senses, especially smelling or touching.

Question 3

Why is there a de before partir?

Accepted Answer

In French, the noun besoin (need) requires the preposition de before a following verb. Just like the common verbal phrase avoir besoin de (to need), saying "the need to do something" translates to le besoin de plus the infinitive.

Question 4

Could I use quitter instead of partir to say "to leave"?

Accepted Answer

No, because quitter requires a direct object, meaning you must state exactly what or whom you are leaving (like quitter la maison for "to leave the house"). When you are just saying "to leave" or "to depart" in a general sense without naming a place, you must use partir.

Je ressens le besoin de partir.

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