Question 1

Why does the command éteins end in an -s? Don't commands usually drop the -s?

Accepted Answer

You drop the -s for the tu (informal 'you') form of commands only if the verb's infinitive ends in -er, such as Regarde la télé (Watch TV). However, éteins comes from the irregular -re verb éteindre (to turn off), so it keeps its normal -s ending in the command form.

Question 2

What verb would I use to tell someone to turn on the TV?

Accepted Answer

The opposite of éteindre is allumer (to turn on). Because it is a regular -er verb, its tu command form does drop the -s. To tell someone to turn on the TV, you would say Allume la télé.

Question 3

Is la télé considered slang?

Accepted Answer

It is an everyday abbreviation of la télévision, very much like saying 'TV' instead of 'television' in English. It isn't considered bad slang, just standard informal spoken French. Native speakers use la télé constantly in daily life.

Question 4

Is it grammatically correct to just use a comma instead of a word like parce que (because)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While you could absolutely say Éteins la télé parce que je veux dormir, spoken French often drops the connecting words between two closely related thoughts. Using just a brief pause (written as a comma) makes the sentence sound very natural and direct.

Éteins la télé, je veux dormir.

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