Breakdown of Il faut qu’ils arrêtent cette discussion, car il semble qu’elle soit trop compliquée.
être
to be
il
he
elle
she
ils
they
trop
too
falloir
to be necessary
car
because
que
that
arrêter
to stop
la discussion
the discussion
sembler
to seem
compliqué
complicated
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Questions & Answers about Il faut qu’ils arrêtent cette discussion, car il semble qu’elle soit trop compliquée.
What is the function of Il faut in this sentence?
Il faut is an impersonal expression meaning “it is necessary” or “one must.” In this sentence, it indicates that it is necessary for “them” (qu’ils) to stop the discussion.
Why is the subjunctive mood used in qu’ils arrêtent and qu’elle soit?
The subjunctive mood is required after expressions that indicate necessity, doubt, or subjectivity. In this sentence, Il faut que imposes an obligation, so arrêtent uses the subjunctive. Similarly, il semble que introduces a statement that is not asserted as a fact but rather as an impression, which is why soit appears in the subjunctive form.
What role does car play in the sentence, and how does it affect the meaning?
Car is a coordinating conjunction meaning “because.” It connects the two parts of the sentence by giving a reason for the requirement expressed in the first clause. The phrase il semble qu’elle soit trop compliquée (“it seems that it is too complicated”) explains why it is necessary to stop the discussion.
How does qu’elle soit trop compliquée demonstrate agreement in gender?
In qu’elle soit trop compliquée, elle refers back to cette discussion, which is feminine in French. This is why the adjective compliquée is in its feminine form—it agrees with the noun to which it refers.
Why does il semble que trigger the subjunctive in this sentence, even though it might sometimes take the indicative?
While some expressions of appearance or perception can use either the indicative or the subjunctive, here il semble que implies a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity about the complexity of the discussion. That sense of doubt or evaluation prompts the use of the subjunctive form soit to reflect that nuance.
Is there any nuance in using car instead of parce que in this context?
Yes, there is a subtle difference. Although both car and parce que mean “because,” car is generally considered more formal and is often used in written or more reasoned explanations. In contrast, parce que is more common in everyday spoken French. Here, using car lends a slightly formal, explanatory tone to the sentence.