Question 1

How do we build the form en balayant from the verb balayer?

Accepted Answer

To make this form (called the gerund), start with the nous form of the present tense: nous balayons (we sweep). Drop the -ons ending and replace it with -ant to get balayant. Finally, put en in front of it. This creates the meaning 'while sweeping'.

Question 2

Could en balayant also mean 'by sweeping'?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can! The en + -ant structure can describe two things happening at once ('while doing') or the method used to achieve something ('by doing'). In this sentence, 'while sweeping' makes the most logical sense, because sweeping isn't a method used to sing.

Question 3

Why didn't they use a word like pendant to mean 'while'?

Accepted Answer

You absolutely can use pendant que to mean 'while', but it requires a full phrase with a subject and a conjugated verb: Elle chante pendant qu'elle balaie. Using en balayant is just a much shorter and smoother way to say it when the exact same person is performing both actions.

Question 4

I learned that verbs ending in -yer change their y to i. Why doesn't that happen here?

Accepted Answer

Good memory! Verbs like balayer often change the y to an i in certain forms (like je balaie). But remember that this -ant form is built from the nous form. Because it is nous balayons (which keeps the y), the gerund also keeps the y to become en balayant.

Elle chante en balayant la cuisine.

Breakdown of Elle chante en balayant la cuisine.

Questions & Answers about Elle chante en balayant la cuisine.

Learn Elle chante en balayant la cuisine and more in French