Breakdown of L'extension de la ligne de métro va aider les passagers.
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
aller
to go
le métro
the subway
le passager
the passenger
la ligne
the line
aider
to help
l'extension
the extension (f)
Questions & Answers about L'extension de la ligne de métro va aider les passagers.
What verb is l'extension derived from, and how would this sentence look if we used a verb instead of a noun?
L'extension is the nominalized form of the verb étendre (to extend/stretch). Nominalization makes the sentence sound more formal, objective, or journalistic. If you wanted to express this with a verb instead, you could use an infinitive phrase as the subject: Étendre la ligne de métro va aider les passagers (Extending the subway line is going to help the passengers).
Why do we need the preposition de in l'extension de la ligne?
When you transform a verb into a noun, you usually cannot attach its object directly anymore. In a verbal clause, you would say étendre la ligne (extend the line), where la ligne is the direct object. Because a noun (l'extension) cannot take a direct object, we must use the preposition de to link the two nouns together: l'extension de la ligne.
Is extension the most common word to use when talking about lengthening a subway line?
Why is it ligne de métro and not ligne du métro?
We use de (without the definite article le) because de métro acts like an adjective describing the type of line it is. It forms a general compound noun meaning "subway line." If you said ligne du métro, it would sound like you are talking about the line belonging to one specific, previously mentioned subway train.
Why is there no preposition before les passagers after the verb aider?
The verb aider takes a direct object when you are simply helping a person: aider quelqu'un (to help someone). A common B2 pitfall is trying to add a preposition because of how other verbs work. You only use a preposition with aider if you are mentioning the specific action they are being helped with: aider quelqu'un à faire quelque chose (to help someone do something).
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