Question 1

How does the structure va en se développant express progressive change?

Accepted Answer

This is the classic aller + gérondif structure. By combining the conjugated verb aller (here, va) with the gérondif (en + present participle, here en se développant), it emphasizes that the action is happening gradually over time. In English, we often translate this as 'is increasingly developing', 'goes on developing', or 'keeps on developing'.

Question 2

Why is the reflexive pronoun se placed between en and the verb?

Accepted Answer

In a gérondif construction, any object or reflexive pronouns must go immediately before the present participle, not before the word en. Since the verb is se développer (to develop itself), the pronoun se stays tightly attached to développant, resulting in en se développant.

Question 3

Could I just say Cette saveur piquante se développe instead? What's the difference?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could, and it would simply mean 'This pungent flavor is developing'. However, using va en se développant adds a strong nuance of progressive intensity. It tells us that the flavor isn't just developing; the development is continuous and getting stronger as time passes in the cellar.

Question 4

I usually think of piquant as meaning 'spicy' like a chili pepper. How does it fit here?

Accepted Answer

While piquant definitely translates to 'spicy' or 'hot', it is also used more broadly for strong, sharp, or pungent flavors. In the context of aging food in a cave (cellar)—likely referring to cheese or wine—piquante describes a sharp, tangy, or robust taste rather than chili heat.

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