Question 1

Why is there an -il after the verb when the subject le satellite is already stated?

Accepted Answer

This is called complex inversion, which is triggered by starting the sentence with the adverb Ainsi (Thus). When you need to invert a subject and verb, but the subject is a noun like le satellite rather than a pronoun, you must state the noun first, then the verb, and finally attach the matching pronoun (il) right after it.

Question 2

Why is there an extra -t- in a-t-il?

Accepted Answer

It is added purely for pronunciation. When doing inversion, if the verb ends in a vowel (like a) and the pronoun starts with a vowel (like il, elle, or on), French inserts a -t- to prevent the two vowel sounds from crashing into each other.

Question 3

The word orbite is feminine. Why does the sentence use son instead of sa?

Accepted Answer

You are right that it is une orbite. However, because the word starts with a vowel, using sa would create a clashing sound (sa orbite). To avoid this, French uses the masculine possessive adjective son whenever a feminine noun begins with a vowel or a mute H.

Question 4

Do I strictly have to use this complex inversion when I start a sentence with Ainsi?

Accepted Answer

In formal or written French, yes, this inversion is strongly expected after certain fronted adverbs like Ainsi, Peut-être, and À peine. In everyday spoken French, however, people often drop the inversion entirely and just use normal word order, usually adding a pause: Ainsi, le satellite a quitté son orbite.

Ainsi le satellite a-t-il quitté son orbite.

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