Question 1

Why is the infinitive amasser used directly after Pourquoi?

Accepted Answer

Using Pourquoi followed by an infinitive is a common way to ask a general or rhetorical question. It translates directly to "Why amass...?" or "Why collect...?". This structure is very handy because it lets you ask a broad question without needing to specify a subject like tu or on (as you would in Pourquoi est-ce qu'on amasse...).

Question 2

The word pièce can mean a room or a theatrical play. How do we know it means "coins" here?

Accepted Answer

Context is key! The verb amasser (to hoard or accumulate) and the adjective usées (worn out) point to physical objects you can collect. Une pièce de monnaie is the full term for a coin, but it is very frequently shortened to just une pièce in everyday French.

Question 3

Why does the adjective usées have an extra -e and -s at the end?

Accepted Answer

The word usées is the past participle of the verb user (to wear out), and here it is being used as an adjective. Because it describes des pièces, which is a feminine plural noun, it must take the feminine -e and plural -s to agree perfectly with the noun.

Question 4

How would I answer this question using the lesson's target phrase sous prétexte que?

Accepted Answer

You could say something like J'amasse des pièces usées sous prétexte qu'elles prendront de la valeur (I hoard worn out coins on the pretext that they will go up in value). Remember that sous prétexte que must be followed by a subject and a conjugated verb, and that que contracts to qu' before a vowel like the e in elles.

Pourquoi amasser des pièces usées ?

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