Breakdown of Nous avons secrètement engagé le traiteur pour la surprise.
nous
we / us (object pronoun)
pour
for
avoir
to have
la surprise
the surprise
engager
to hire
secrètement
secretly
le traiteur
the caterer
Questions & Answers about Nous avons secrètement engagé le traiteur pour la surprise.
Why is secrètement placed between avons and engagé?
In the passé composé, adverbs of manner (which describe how something is done) typically go between the conjugated auxiliary verb (avons) and the past participle (engagé). While some longer -ment adverbs can also be placed after the past participle, tucking secrètement in the middle is very natural and sounds perfectly fluent.
What is the difference between engagé and embauché for "hired"?
While both translate to "hired," embaucher is generally used for hiring an employee on a formal, long-term work contract (like a full-time job at a company). Engager is a bit broader and is the ideal verb for hiring someone for a specific, short-term gig or service, such as a caterer or a band for a party.
Could I say réservé instead of engagé here?
Does pour la surprise mean the caterer is the surprise, or they are for a surprise party?
It most likely means they were hired for a surprise party or event (often just called la surprise in conversation). However, depending on context, it could technically mean the caterer's presence itself is the surprise gift. The preposition pour simply indicates the purpose or destination of the hiring.
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