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Learn Hardcore French: Nous approuvons la résolution. - We formally agree to the proposal.

Hardcore French
/Taking part in a co-ownership meeting
/Nous approuvons la résolution.

Nous approuvons la résolution.

Word

Nous approuvons la résolution.

Meaning

We formally agree to the proposal.

Part of speech

sentence

Pronunciation

Course

Hardcore French

Lesson

Taking part in a co-ownership meeting

Breakdown of Nous approuvons la résolution.

the resolution (proposal)

to approve (a proposal)

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Questions & Answers about Nous approuvons la résolution.

Why is it approuvons and not approuve or approuvent?

Because the subject is nous, so the verb has to be in the nous form.

The verb is approuver (to approve). In the present tense, it goes like this:

j’approuve
tu approuves
il/elle/on approuve
nous approuvons
vous approuvez
ils/elles approuvent

So Nous approuvons means we approve.

A useful thing to notice is that many regular -er verbs take -ons with nous in the present tense.

Why is nous used here? Could French use on instead?

Yes, very often in everyday French, speakers use on instead of nous to mean we.

So in casual speech, you might hear:

On approuve la résolution.

However, nous is more formal or written, and it is very common in official, political, administrative, or formal statements. Since la résolution sounds like something from a formal context, nous fits very naturally here.

So:

nous = more formal, more explicit
on = very common in everyday spoken French

What does la do here? Why is it not une résolution?

La is the definite article, meaning the.

French usually requires an article before a noun, where English sometimes does and sometimes does not. Here, la résolution means the resolution, referring to a specific resolution already known from the context.

If you said une résolution, that would mean a resolution, any one resolution, or a new one not yet specifically identified.

So the difference is:

la résolution = the resolution
une résolution = a resolution

Why is it la résolution? How do I know the noun is feminine?

Because résolution is a feminine noun in French.

That is why it takes the feminine singular article la:

la résolution

You generally have to learn the gender of each noun as part of the word. A helpful habit is to memorize nouns with their article:

la résolution
le problème
la décision

Also, many nouns ending in -tion are feminine in French, so résolution fits a very common pattern.

How is Nous approuvons la résolution pronounced?

A careful pronunciation would be approximately:

noo zah-proo-von la ray-zo-loo-syon

A few important points:

nous sounds like noo
the s in nous links to the next word because approuvons begins with a vowel sound, so you hear a z sound:
nous approuvons → noo-zapprouvons
approuvons ends with a nasal sound in -ons
résolution ends with -tion, usually pronounced like syon

So the flow is smooth:
Nous approuvons la résolution
→ noo-zap-roo-von la ray-zo-loo-syon

Is there a liaison in nous approuvons?

Yes. There is normally a liaison here.

The final s of nous is usually silent by itself, but before a vowel sound it is pronounced like z:

nous
- approuvons
pronounced roughly noo-zapprouvons

This is very common after nous, vous, and some articles and adjectives when the next word begins with a vowel.

Why does approuver have two ps?

That is simply the standard spelling of the verb: approuver.

Many French words beginning with ap- related to Latin roots are spelled with app-, for example:

appeler
apporter
apprendre
approuver

You do not pronounce both p sounds separately; the double consonant is mainly a spelling feature. It also helps show how the word is built and sometimes affects vowel behavior in related forms.

The important thing for a learner is just to memorize the spelling:

approuver
nous approuvons

Is résolution used the same way as English resolution?

Often yes, but context matters.

In French, résolution can mean things like:

a formal decision or motion, as in politics or meetings
a solution or determination in a more abstract sense
a New Year’s resolution: une résolution du Nouvel An

In the sentence Nous approuvons la résolution, the most natural meaning is a formal resolution being approved by a group, committee, assembly, or similar body.

So the word is similar to English, but you still need context to know exactly which kind of resolution is meant.

Can I omit nous and just say approuvons la résolution?

Usually, no.

In French, subject pronouns are normally required, so you usually need:

Nous approuvons la résolution.

Unlike Spanish or Italian, French generally does not drop the subject pronoun in ordinary sentences.

There are a few special cases where the subject is omitted, such as:

commands: Approuvons la résolution. = Let’s approve the resolution.
notes, headlines, diaries, or very informal shorthand

But as a normal statement meaning we approve the resolution, you should keep nous.

Could this sentence be turned into a question, and how?

Yes. There are several common ways to make it a question.

Est-ce que form:
- Est-ce que nous approuvons la résolution ?
- very common and clear
Inversion:
- Approuvons-nous la résolution ?
- more formal
Rising intonation in speech:
- Nous approuvons la résolution ?
- common in conversation

All three can mean Do we approve the resolution?, but the plain sentence you were given is a statement, not a question.

What tense is this, and does it mean present or something more general?

It is the present tense: le présent.

In English, this can correspond to:

we approve
sometimes we are approving, depending on context
sometimes a general or formal present statement

In a sentence like Nous approuvons la résolution, the present tense most naturally sounds like a current formal action or decision: the approval is happening now, or is being officially stated now.

French uses the present tense quite broadly, so the exact English wording depends on context.

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