Question 1

Why are moins and qu' right next to each other here?

Accepted Answer

Because they are comparing the verb ralentit (slows down). When you compare how much an action happens, the comparative words (plus, moins, or autant) go directly after the verb, immediately followed by que. If you were comparing an adjective, a word would sit between them (like moins rapide que - less fast than). Here, que drops its 'e' to become qu' because avant starts with a vowel.

Question 2

If I wanted to say my metabolism slows down "as much as" before, would I use aussi qu'avant?

Accepted Answer

No, you would use autant qu'avant. This is a common trap! When modifying a verb to mean "as much as", you must use autant que (e.g., Il ralentit autant qu'avant). You only use aussi... que when comparing adjectives or adverbs (e.g., Il est aussi lent qu'avant - It is as slow as before).

Question 3

Does the verb ralentir (to slow down) work exactly like it does in English?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is very flexible! Just like in English, ralentir can be intransitive (meaning the action just happens on its own, like the metabolism slowing down here) or transitive (meaning you do the action to something else). For example, you could say Le sport ralentit le vieillissement (Sports slow down aging).

Question 4

Why do we use grâce au instead of à cause du to say "because of sports"?

Accepted Answer

Grâce à translates to "thanks to" and is used exclusively for positive or helpful causes. Since sport is masculine, à + le contracts to au. If you were blaming something for a negative outcome (like "because of stress"), you would use à cause de instead.

Mon métabolisme ralentit moins qu'avant grâce au sport.

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