# French grammar question: use of articles in French version of the Constitution Act, 1867

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question-use-of-articles-in-french-version-of-the-constitution-act-1867/932029>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 2, 2021, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question-use-of-articles-in-french-version-of-the-constitution-act-1867/932029 "2021-02-02T03:57:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 32

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-grammar-question-use-of-articles-in-french-version-of-the-constitution-act-1867/932029/32 "2021-02-16T02:19:57Z")

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Judges here will do their best to interpret the English and French versions as having a common meaning, but if there is a clear difference between them, then the rule of « common ground » usually applies: the common content of the two versions is the preferred interpretation, and if one version has a broader scope than the other, the broader part is ignored.

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