quand/lorsque or où ? - French Language2024-03-29T14:07:59Zhttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/forum/topics/quand-lorsque-or-o?commentId=3179028%3AComment%3A118449&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noTo some extent, it's a bit li…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2015-04-17:3179028:Comment:1184492015-04-17T23:09:05.609ZNeil Coffeyhttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/NeilCoffey
<p>To some extent, it's a bit like asking what the difference is between "if" and "whether": there are cases where the two words are essentially synonyms, and then some circumstances where only one is possible.</p>
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<p>So: "quand", but not "lorsque", can be used to ask a direct question: "Quand viens-tu?", but not "<span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Lorsque viens-tu?</span>". Similarly, "quand" is used to mark an indirect question: "Je ne sais pas quand il viendra", but not…</p>
<p>To some extent, it's a bit like asking what the difference is between "if" and "whether": there are cases where the two words are essentially synonyms, and then some circumstances where only one is possible.</p>
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<p>So: "quand", but not "lorsque", can be used to ask a direct question: "Quand viens-tu?", but not "<span style="text-decoration: line-through;">Lorsque viens-tu?</span>". Similarly, "quand" is used to mark an indirect question: "Je ne sais pas quand il viendra", but not <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">"Je ne sais pas lorsqu'il viendra"</span>.</p>
<p>That essentially leaves other uses of "quand" as a conjunction (i.e. when it means "at the time when" or "whenever"). In such cases "lorsque" is essentially a synonym, but it's more formal. Some speakers also seem to perceive "lorsque" as a bit more precise, as though it means "at the specific time/point when".</p>
<p>You'll find "lorsque" in e.g. the expression "Lorsqu'il s'agit de..." meaning "When it comes to...". I think you can argue that this either fits in with or contradicts the previous point...!</p>
<p></p> Ok, that makes sense, thank y…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2015-04-17:3179028:Comment:1181662015-04-17T17:27:15.264ZJoakim Rosqvisthttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/JoakimRosqvist
<p>Ok, that makes sense, thank you.</p>
<p>Ok, that makes sense, thank you.</p> "le jour quand " is far less…tag:www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk,2015-04-17:3179028:Comment:1182522015-04-17T14:43:21.235ZGeorge Hunthttp://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/profile/GEORDIEHOUND
<p>"le jour quand " is far less common and I do think it changes the meaning.</p>
<br/><p>I am only guessing but I think it is because it is less common and more unusual that it seems to give an extra emphasis to the events described after the "quand"</p>
<br/><p>"Le jour où " trips off the tongue whereas I feel the "quand" slows the sentence down.</p>
<br/><p>I don't think "le jour lorsque " is possible.</p>
<p>"le jour quand " is far less common and I do think it changes the meaning.</p>
<br/><p>I am only guessing but I think it is because it is less common and more unusual that it seems to give an extra emphasis to the events described after the "quand"</p>
<br/><p>"Le jour où " trips off the tongue whereas I feel the "quand" slows the sentence down.</p>
<br/><p>I don't think "le jour lorsque " is possible.</p>