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Questions & Answers about Le jardin est naturel.
What is the grammatical structure of the sentence "Le jardin est naturel"?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Predicate Adjective pattern. "Le jardin" is the subject, "est" is the linking verb (the third person singular of "être"), and "naturel" is the predicate adjective describing the subject.
Why is the adjective "naturel" placed after the verb rather than directly before the noun as in some English constructions?
In French, adjectives that serve as predicate adjectives (following a linking verb like "être") typically come after the verb. While some adjectives can precede the noun in French, especially in attributive positions, when they are used with "être" to describe a state or condition—as in this sentence—they are placed after the verb.
What does the adjective "naturel" mean in this context?
The adjective "naturel" means "natural." It implies that the garden has an unaltered or genuine quality, suggesting that it is in its inherent state without artificial modifications. The exact nuance may depend on context, but it generally conveys something authentic or in harmony with nature.
How does gender and number agreement work with "jardin" and "naturel" in this sentence?
Since "jardin" is a masculine singular noun, the adjective "naturel" is used in its masculine singular form. In French, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they describe. If "jardin" were feminine, the appropriate form would be "naturelle;" if plural, it would change to "naturels" for a masculine plural noun or "naturelles" for a feminine plural noun.
Why is the definite article "le" used before "jardin"?
The definite article "le" is used to indicate that the noun "jardin" is specific or previously known to the speaker and listener—or it can be used when making a general statement about gardens as a category. Unlike in English, where articles might sometimes be omitted in general statements, French requires a definite article in such cases.