Nous n’irons pas à la salle de réception si son propriétaire y interdit l’accès aujourd’hui.

We will not go to the reception hall if its owner forbids access to it today.

Breakdown of Nous n’irons pas à la salle de réception si son propriétaire y interdit l’accès aujourd’hui.

• ne ... pas: not
• nous: we
• aller: to go
• à: to
• si: if
• aujourd’hui: today
• la salle de réception: the reception hall
• son: its
• le propriétaire: the owner
• interdire: to forbid
• l’accès: the access

Questions & Answers about Nous n’irons pas à la salle de réception si son propriétaire y interdit l’accès aujourd’hui.

What does the phrase "Nous n’irons pas" mean in English?

It means "We will not go." Here, "irons" is the future tense of the verb "aller" (to go), and the negation is created by placing "ne" before the verb and "pas" after it.

How is the negation structured in "Nous n’irons pas"?

In French, a negative sentence is generally formed by placing "ne" before the conjugated verb and "pas" after it. In this example, "n’irons pas" shows that the future action (going) is being negated.

What does "à la salle de réception" refer to?

It refers to "the reception hall." This is the location mentioned in the sentence where an event (such as a function or gathering) is likely set to take place.

In the clause "si son propriétaire y interdit l’accès aujourd’hui", what does the pronoun "y" represent?

The pronoun "y" is a locative pronoun that substitutes for a previously mentioned place—in this case, "à la salle de réception." It prevents the repetition of the location and means "there" in English.

Why is the present tense "interdit" used in the if-clause even though the main clause is in the future tense?

In French, conditional sentences that refer to future situations often use the present tense in the "si" (if) clause. This is a standard structure: even though "Nous n’irons pas" is in the future, "son propriétaire y interdit" is in the present to express the condition that must be met for the future action not to occur.

What role does "aujourd’hui" play in this sentence?

The word "aujourd’hui" means "today," specifying that the condition—the owner prohibiting access—applies only to the current day. This indicates that the decision or rule is relevant for today’s plans.