Question 1

Why is the verb intéresser not pronominal here, since the lesson is about pronominal verbs?

Accepted Answer

Here, intéresser is used as a standard transitive verb meaning "to interest [someone]". The subject is ce sujet (this subject) and the direct object receiving the action is m' (me). The pronominal version you are learning, s'intéresser à, flips the structure so that you are the subject: "to interest oneself in [something]".

Question 2

How would you rewrite this exact sentence using the pronominal form s'intéresser à?

Accepted Answer

You would make yourself the subject: Je m'intéresse beaucoup à ce sujet. Notice that when you use the pronominal form, you must include the preposition à before the thing you are interested in.

Question 3

Is there a difference in meaning between Ce sujet m'intéresse and Je m'intéresse à ce sujet?

Accepted Answer

They translate to basically the same thing, but there is a subtle shift in focus. The non-pronominal Ce sujet m'intéresse (this subject interests me) implies the subject naturally grabs your attention. The pronominal Je m'intéresse à ce sujet (I am interested in this subject) feels slightly more active, implying you are purposely spending time looking into or studying the topic.

Question 4

Why is beaucoup placed at the very end of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

In French, adverbs that modify a conjugated verb (like beaucoup, souvent, or bien) usually go immediately after the verb. While in English you might put the adverb before the verb ("This subject really interests me"), you cannot say Ce sujet beaucoup m'intéresse in French.

Ce sujet m'intéresse beaucoup.

Breakdown of Ce sujet m'intéresse beaucoup.

Questions & Answers about Ce sujet m'intéresse beaucoup.

Learn Ce sujet m'intéresse beaucoup and more in French