Question 1

Why is there no de or à between mieux and the infinitive désinfecter?

Accepted Answer

The expression il vaut mieux (it is better) is directly followed by an infinitive verb. Unlike many other impersonal phrases you might know, such as il est important de or il est temps de, il vaut mieux never takes a preposition before the action verb.

Question 2

Why is toujours placed after mieux rather than directly after the verb vaut?

Accepted Answer

Because il vaut mieux acts as a single fixed expression here. When you want to add an adverb like toujours (always) to modify the following infinitive, it is placed naturally between the expression and the infinitive verb (désinfecter).

Question 3

Why does the sentence use la peau (the skin) instead of a possessive word like 'your skin'?

Accepted Answer

In French, it is standard practice to use definite articles (le, la, les) with body parts rather than possessives (ton, votre). This is especially true for general advice where the owner of the body part is obvious or applies to everyone.

Question 4

How would I change this sentence if I wanted to specify 'It is better that YOU disinfect the skin'?

Accepted Answer

To direct this advice at a specific person, you have to add que and use the subjunctive mood. For example, you would say Il vaut mieux que tu désinfectes la peau. Leaving it as an infinitive, as it is in this sentence, keeps it as general advice for anyone.

Il vaut mieux toujours désinfecter la peau.

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