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Dans mon bureau, je ferme toujours mon ordinateur avant de partir.

Dans mon bureau, je ferme toujours mon ordinateur avant de partir.
In my office, I always close my computer before leaving.
FromLesson 4inHardcore French

Breakdown of Dans mon bureau, je ferme toujours mon ordinateur avant de partir.

je
I
mon
my
dans
in
le bureau
the office
l'ordinateur
the computer
fermer
to close
toujours
always
avant de
before
partir
to leave

Questions & Answers about Dans mon bureau, je ferme toujours mon ordinateur avant de partir.

Why is it "Dans mon bureau" and not "À mon bureau"?
"Dans" emphasizes being inside the office, suggesting the physical space enclosed by walls. "À mon bureau" can also work in some contexts, but it could imply "at my desk" or simply "at my workplace," rather than specifically being inside the office environment.
Why do we use "ferme" and not "éteins" when talking about a computer?
In French, "fermer l’ordinateur" can mean "to close or shut down the computer," while "éteindre l’ordinateur" specifically means "to switch it off." Both are acceptable. "Fermer" is slightly more general and can also mean you're closing all programs and sessions. Using "éteindre" highlights the physical act of powering off the device.
Why do we say "mon ordinateur" twice (once after "Dans mon bureau" and then again in the sentence)?
In French, it's natural to repeat possessive adjectives for clarity. When you say "Dans mon bureau", you're referring to the space, and when you say "mon ordinateur", you're specifying the object. Using the same pronoun each time helps avoid ambiguity and reaffirms whose computer it is.
What is the function of "avant de partir"?
The phrase "avant de" means "before" an action in French, and it must be followed by an infinitive verb (in this case, "partir", meaning "to leave"). It indicates that the main action (closing the computer) occurs before leaving.
Why is "toujours" placed after "je ferme" and not at the end of the sentence?
In French, adverbs like "toujours" commonly come right after the conjugated verb. So you have "je ferme toujours" to emphasize the frequency of the action. Placing it at the end, "je ferme mon ordinateur avant de partir toujours," would sound unnatural in French.
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“How does grammatical gender work in French?”
Every French noun is either masculine or feminine, and this affects the articles and adjectives used with it. "Le" is used with masculine nouns and "la" with feminine ones. Adjectives also change form to match — for example, "petit" (masc.) becomes "petite" (fem.).

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