Question 1

The English translation says "shaking", so why does French use the infinitive trembler instead of a participle?

Accepted Answer

When using verbs of perception like sentir (to feel), voir (to see), or entendre (to hear) to describe an action happening, French uses the infinitive form of the second verb. So while English uses the "-ing" form ("feel the ground shaking"), French says sentent le sol trembler (literally "feel the ground to shake").

Question 2

I learned that "to feel" is se sentir. Why isn't it "Ils se sentent" here?

Accepted Answer

You use the reflexive se sentir when talking about your own emotional or internal physical state (for example, ils se sentent fatigués for "they feel tired"). Because they are feeling an external object (the ground) rather than an internal state, you use the non-reflexive verb sentir.

Question 3

Wait, doesn't sentir mean "to smell"?

Accepted Answer

Sentir can mean both "to smell" and "to physically feel" (like sensing a touch or a vibration). You just have to rely on context to know which one is meant. In this case, you can't smell the ground shaking, so it must mean "to feel"!

Question 4

Why is lourd placed before conteneur? Shouldn't it go after the noun?

Accepted Answer

Usually, lourd (heavy) does go after the noun, as in un sac lourd. However, putting it before the noun is a stylistic choice that emphasizes the sheer weight of the object. Placing it before conteneur makes its heaviness feel much more significant to the sentence.

Ils sentent le sol trembler sous ce lourd conteneur.

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