Learn French: De temps en temps, elle prend le bus. - From time to time, she takes the bus.

De temps en temps, elle prend le bus.

From time to time, she takes the bus.

Breakdown of De temps en temps, elle prend le bus.

prendre

to have (a meal/drink) / to take

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Questions & Answers about De temps en temps, elle prend le bus.

Why is de temps en temps at the beginning of the sentence?

While single-word frequency adverbs like souvent (often) or toujours (always) usually go right after the conjugated verb, longer expressions like de temps en temps are more flexible. They often go at the very beginning or the very end of a sentence to set the scene.

What does de temps en temps literally mean?

It translates word-for-word as "of time in time", which is the standard French expression for "from time to time" or "occasionally". The word temps means "time" (and it can also mean "weather" in other contexts).

How do I pronounce temps en temps? Are the consonants silent?

Normally, the letters "p" and "s" in temps are completely silent. However, because the next word en starts with a vowel, you connect them (this is called a liaison) and pronounce the first "s" like a "z". The final "s" in the second temps remains completely silent.

Why is it elle prend instead of elle prends?

The verb prendre (to take) is an irregular verb. While the "I" and "you" forms end in an "s" (je prends, tu prends), the "he/she" forms just end with the "d" (il prend, elle prend).