Log inSign up

Ils sont en train de déplacer les palettes et les cageots.

Ils sont en train de déplacer les palettes et les cageots.
They are moving the pallets and the crates.
From Lesson 364:Prepositions of time (dès)·French

Questions & Answers about Ils sont en train de déplacer les palettes et les cageots.

Why use 'sont en train de' here instead of just saying 'Ils déplacent'?
While Ils déplacent translates to both 'They move' and 'They are moving', using sont en train de puts a strong emphasis on the fact that the action is happening right at this very moment. It is used when you want to highlight that someone is busy doing the action right now.
Could I use 'bouger' or 'déménager' instead of 'déplacer' for 'moving'?
No, déplacer is specifically used for shifting objects from one physical location to another. Bouger usually means to make a physical movement or budge (like a body part), and déménager means to move house or relocate completely. Since they are shifting crates around, déplacer is the correct choice.
Is there a reason both 'palettes' and 'cageots' have their own definite article ('les')? Can't we just say 'les palettes et cageots'?
In French, articles must generally be repeated before every noun in a list, even if they are joined by et. You cannot drop the second les like we often drop the second 'the' in English.
What exactly is a 'cageot' compared to a 'boîte' or 'caisse'?
A cageot is a specific type of open crate or tray, usually made of light slatted wood or plastic, specifically used for transporting fruits and vegetables at markets. A boîte is a generic box, and a caisse is a sturdier packing crate.

Learn Ils sont en train de déplacer les palettes et les cageots and more in French

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning French →