Learn French: Pendant cette phase, la fermentation va en augmentant. - During this phase, the fermentation keeps increasing.

Pendant cette phase, la fermentation va en augmentant.

During this phase, the fermentation keeps increasing.

Breakdown of Pendant cette phase, la fermentation va en augmentant.

for / during (duration)

augmenter

to increase

Questions & Answers about Pendant cette phase, la fermentation va en augmentant.

Why does this sentence use va en augmentant instead of just continue d'augmenter?

While continue d'augmenter (continues to increase) is grammatically correct, the structure aller + gérondif (en augmentant) specifically highlights a progressive, gradual change. It gives the sense that the fermentation is growing more and more or bit by bit as time passes.

How exactly is the aller en... structure formed here?

It combines the conjugated verb aller (here in the present tense as va) with the gérondif. The gérondif is formed by the preposition en followed by the present participle of the verb, which ends in -ant (here, augmentant).

Does aller keep its literal meaning of physical movement here?

No. When used in this structure with the gérondif, aller loses its sense of physical movement. Instead, it acts as a helper verb that adds the meaning of a gradual, continuous progression to the main action.

Can I use this aller + gérondif structure with any verb?

Technically yes, but native speakers primarily use it with verbs that naturally describe a change in state, quantity, or quality. You will most often hear it with verbs like augmenter, diminuer (to decrease), s'améliorer (to improve), and empirer (to worsen).