Gap-fill
What follows a French connector? Complete a project update
Practise noun, infinitive and finite-clause complements in a French project update, with sans, faute de, quitte à and à condition que.
- B2
- 8 gaps
- Translation included
- Learn this in the B2 notebook →
In short
Read the complete connector before choosing what follows. Sans réponse takes a noun, sans répondre takes an infinitive, and sans que Nora réponde introduces its own subject and a subjunctive verb.
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| Connector and complement | Structure | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| faute de temps | noun phrase | for lack of time |
| faute de pouvoir terminer | infinitive phrase | because it is not possible to finish |
| quitte à recommencer | infinitive phrase | even if it means starting again |
| sans répondre | infinitive phrase | without answering |
| sans que Nora réponde | subject + subjunctive | without Nora answering |
| à condition que Nora soit prête | subject + subjunctive | provided Nora is ready |
Does the next action have the same actor?
Nora est partie sans répondre.
Nora left without answering.
Nora performs both actions in this sentence.
Nora est partie sans que Samir réponde.
Nora left without Samir answering.
The finite clause names Samir as the person who gives no answer.
Replacing sans que Samir réponde with sans répondre would hand the answering to Nora. The shorter version changes the event. The same check helps with purpose: Nora écrit pour expliquer sa décision gives Nora both actions; Nora écrit pour que Samir comprenne gives Samir the understanding.
Where does the negation go before an infinitive?
Elle préfère attendre pour ne pas recommencer.
She prefers to wait so as not to start again.
In ne pas recommencer, the negative words come together before the infinitive. A connector ending in que needs a full clause instead: à condition que le groupe soit prêt. Keep the subject as well as the verb form when you make that change.
In the update below, the first hint gives you a noun; the others name the verb and form to use. Fill only the missing word. Follow the plan from the first proposal to the final agreement, checking who answers, who waits and who needs to understand.
Un projet à reprendre
Faute de (time: use the noun), Nora a reporté la discussion. Elle veut relire la proposition sans (interrompre: infinitive) Samir.
Samir accepte de patienter, quitte à (recommencer: infinitive) le travail. Il précise cependant sa condition : « Je continuerai à condition que le groupe (être: present subjunctive) prêt. »
Nora prépare une explication pour que chacun (comprendre: present subjunctive) la décision. Elle préfère attendre pour ne pas (oublier: infinitive) une objection importante.
Cette fois, le groupe ne prendra pas de décision sans que Samir (donner: present subjunctive) son avis. Nora est soulagée au point de (retrouver: infinitive) son enthousiasme.
Read it in English
For lack of time, Nora postponed the discussion. She wants to reread the proposal without interrupting Samir.
Samir agrees to wait, even if it means starting the work again. He does, however, state his condition: “I will continue provided the group is ready.”
Nora prepares an explanation so that everyone understands the decision. She prefers to wait so as not to forget an important objection.
This time, the group will not make a decision without Samir giving his opinion. Nora is so relieved that she regains her enthusiasm.