Question 1

Why is complètement placed between ai and oublié?

Accepted Answer

In French, adverbs of degree and quantity (like complètement, beaucoup, or vraiment) usually go between the conjugated auxiliary verb (ai) and the past participle (oublié) in compound tenses. You cannot put it at the end of the sentence like you might in English.

Question 2

The current lesson is about invariable adjectives acting as adverbs. Does complètement fit into that category?

Accepted Answer

No, complètement is a standard adverb. While your current lesson focuses on exceptions that don't change form (like fort in parler fort), complètement follows the regular rule: it is formed by taking the feminine form of the adjective complet (complète) and adding the suffix -ment.

Question 3

I thought nom meant "last name" and prénom meant "first name". Why use nom here?

Accepted Answer

You are right that strictly speaking, un prénom is a first name and un nom (or un nom de famille) is a last name. However, in everyday spoken French, nom is frequently used as a general term for "name" (referring to the first name, or the person's identity in general), exactly as it is used in English.

Question 4

Could I use the imparfait and say J'oubliais ton nom instead?

Accepted Answer

Not for this meaning. The imparfait (j'oubliais) would translate to "I was forgetting" or "I used to forget." Because the act of forgetting is a completed, punctual event that has left you without their name right now, you must use the passé composé (j'ai oublié).

J'ai complètement oublié ton nom.

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