Question 1

Why do we use à condition de followed by the infinitive diminuer here instead of à condition que?

Accepted Answer

You use à condition de followed by an infinitive because the subject performing both actions is the same person (tu). If the second action were performed by a different subject, you would have to use à condition que followed by the subjunctive.

Question 2

The English translation says 'You will be able to', but could I use the present tense Tu peux instead of the future Tu pourras?

Accepted Answer

French is often more logically strict with time than English. Because the ability to maintain the effort depends on a condition that must be met first, the outcome is technically in the future. Therefore, the future tense pourras is much more natural here than the present tense.

Question 3

Is diminuer always followed directly by the noun, like in diminuer l'intensité?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when it means 'to reduce something', diminuer takes a direct object without any preposition. However, if you want to express the amount by which something is reduced, you must use the preposition de, for example: diminuer de dix pour cent (to reduce by ten percent).

Question 4

Why use maintenir instead of a simpler verb like garder (to keep)?

Accepted Answer

While both verbs mean 'to keep', maintenir implies actively keeping something at a steady state or specific level, which often requires continued physical or mental work. This makes it the perfect verb choice for sustaining cet effort cardiovasculaire.

Tu pourras maintenir cet effort cardiovasculaire à condition de diminuer l'intensité.

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