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Sa réponse était vraiment surprenante.

Sa réponse était vraiment surprenante.
His answer was really surprising.
From Lesson 313:Transforming verbs into nouns·French

Questions & Answers about Sa réponse était vraiment surprenante.

How does réponse fit into the concept of nominalization?
Réponse is the noun form (nominalization) of the verb répondre (to answer). Instead of using a verbal clause like Ce qu'il a répondu (What he answered), French often prefers using a noun phrase like Sa réponse for a more elegant and concise sentence.
Why is the feminine sa used if the English translation says His answer?
In French, possessive adjectives agree with the gender of the noun being owned, not the owner. Because réponse is a feminine noun, we must use sa, even if the person who gave the answer is male. Without context, sa réponse could mean his, her, or its answer.
Why does surprenante end in -ante?
It is a verbal adjective formed from the present participle of surprendre (to surprise). Because it acts as an adjective describing the feminine singular noun réponse, it takes the feminine singular ending -e.
Why use the imperfect était instead of the passé composé a été?
The imperfect is used here because it describes a state or characteristic in the past. You are describing what the answer was like, rather than reporting a sudden or completed action.

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