Question 1

Why does promènent have a grave accent (è) when the infinitive se promener does not?

Accepted Answer

se promener is a stem-changing verb. For most subjects, including ils, the unaccented e changes to è. This changes the pronunciation to a clear 'eh' sound. However, for nous and vous, it keeps the original e (like in nous nous promenons).

Question 2

Do I pronounce the -ent at the end of promènent?

Accepted Answer

No, it is completely silent. In French, the -ent ending on verbs for ils and elles is never pronounced. You just pronounce the word like 'pro-men'.

Question 3

Why do we need the reflexive pronoun se here? Couldn't we just say Ils promènent?

Accepted Answer

The verb for taking a stroll for your own enjoyment is the reflexive se promener. If you leave out the se, the verb means to walk something else. For example, Ils promènent le chien means 'They walk the dog', but Ils se promènent means 'They are taking a walk'.

Question 4

I always mix up devant and avant. How do I know which one to use here?

Accepted Answer

devant is used for physical locations to mean 'in front of', while avant is used for time to mean 'before'. Since the shop is a physical place they are walking past, we must use devant.

Question 5

Why is nouvelle placed before boutique? Don't French adjectives usually go after the noun?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes! But there is a specific group of short, common adjectives that go before the noun. You can remember them with the acronym BAGS (Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size). nouvelle means 'new', which relates to Age, so it goes in front of the noun.

Ils se promènent devant la nouvelle boutique.

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