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À supposer que or en admettant que? A French assumptions quiz

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Ten questions on French assumptions: choose subjunctive forms, distinguish an imagined premise from a fact and read a concession accurately.

In short

À supposer que means “supposing that”. En admettant que means “assuming that” or “even allowing that”. In these hypothetical uses, both take the subjunctive: À supposer que ce soit possible, combien de temps faudrait-il ?

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Two colleagues considering an architectural model and blank papers at a table.
A possible project invites discussion with à supposer que. Illustration: Atelier
Study first: two ways to open the discussion
ExpressionExampleWhat the speaker is doing
à supposer queÀ supposer que nous ayons trois jours, que pourrions-nous faire ?Trying out a possible situation.
en admettant queEn admettant que nous ayons trois jours, ce sera encore difficile.Granting a point before considering a difficulty.

Both expressions let you reason from a premise. En admettant que often suits “let’s grant that point”. The main clause can ask a question, give a consequence or raise an objection. Its tense follows the meaning: nous pourrions imagines a possibility, while il faudra gives a future requirement.

À supposer que ce calcul soit exact, nous économiserions deux heures.

Supposing this calculation is correct, we would save two hours.

The calculation is being assumed for the discussion. Compare the evidence-based phrase À la lumière de ce calcul, nous avons revu le planning — “In the light of this calculation, we revised the schedule”. That sentence describes a decision based on information.

  1. Question 1No account needed
    Complete the imagined premise.À supposer que ce calcul ___ exact, nous gagnerions du temps.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    soit. À supposer que takes the subjunctive soit in this hypothetical frame.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    Complete the premise with avoir.En admettant que nous ___ trois jours, que faudrait-il préparer ?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    ayons. After hypothetical en admettant que, the nous form is ayons.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    What is the speaker treating as an assumption?En admettant que cette méthode soit plus rapide, elle reste coûteuse.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The method is quicker.. The opening clause temporarily grants that the method is quicker.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    Which main clause raises a further difficulty?En admettant que nous ayons trois jours, ___

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    il reste à répartir les tâches.. Il reste à répartir les tâches adds a task still to resolve after granting the time assumption.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    Choose the form after this connector.À supposer qu’ils ___ nous aider, nous finirions vendredi.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    puissent. The subjunctive of pouvoir with ils is puissent.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    Which version gives a complete finite clause?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    à supposer qu’elle soit disponible. The clause needs que, a subject and a conjugated verb: qu’elle soit.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    What does this sentence say?En admettant que ce soit plus court, ce n’est pas forcément moins cher.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    A shorter duration alone fails to establish a lower cost.. The speaker grants the shorter duration but questions the link between duration and cost.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    Which opening naturally grants a point before an objection?___ ce soit possible, cela prendra beaucoup de temps.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    En admettant que. En admettant que fits a point granted for discussion, followed by the difficulty that remains.

  9. Question 9No account needed
    Complete the premise with faire.À supposer que vous ___ ce choix, quelle serait la suite ?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    fassiez. The subjunctive with vous is fassiez: à supposer que vous fassiez.

  10. Question 10No account needed
    Keep the assumption distinct from a confirmed fact. Which summary fits?À supposer que tout le monde soit libre, pourrions-nous commencer lundi ?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The speaker considers what to do if everyone is free.. À supposer que introduces availability as a premise for the question.

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