Breakdown of Sauvegarde tes données avant que cette faille ne détruise ton projet.
ce
this (before a noun)
ton
your (ton, ta, tes)
le projet
the project
la donnée
the datum, data
détruire
to destroy
avant que
before (conjunction)
ne
expletive 'ne' (no negative meaning)
sauvegarder
to back up (data)
la faille
the flaw (vulnerability)
Questions & Answers about Sauvegarde tes données avant que cette faille ne détruise ton projet.
Why is there a ne before détruise if the English translation isn't negative?
This is the ne explétif (expletive ne). It is an untranslatable, grammatically optional word used in written or elevated French after certain conjunctions, including avant que (before), à moins que (unless), and de peur que (for fear that). It doesn't make the sentence negative; it just emphasizes the anticipation or precaution regarding an event.
Why is the verb détruire conjugated as détruise here?
The conjunction avant que always triggers the subjunctive mood because it introduces an action that hasn't happened yet and might not happen. détruise is the present subjunctive form of détruire (to destroy) for the third-person singular subject cette faille.
Shouldn't the tu command form of the verb be Sauvegardes with an 's'?
Normally, the tu form of present tense verbs ends in -s. However, for verbs ending in -er (like sauvegarder), that -s is dropped in the imperative (command) mood. You only keep the -s if the verb is immediately followed by the pronouns y or en (for pronunciation reasons).
Why is données plural here when the English translation just says 'data'?
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