Question 1

Why do we use voulons (the first-person plural form) instead of something else like veux or veut in Nous voulons?

Accepted Answer

Voulons is the conjugation of vouloir for nous (the first-person plural) in the present tense.  
• Je veux (I want), Tu veux (You want), Il/Elle/On veut (He/She/One wants), Nous voulons (We want), Vous voulez (You want, plural or formal), Ils/Elles veulent (They want).

Question 2

What is the role of ensem­ble in réussir ensemble?

Accepted Answer

Ensemble means together and emphasizes that the success is a shared goal. If you said Nous voulons réussir, it would mean We want to succeed, but without explicitly stating the collective aspect. Réussir ensemble underlines the idea of a group effort.

Question 3

Why do the French use alors here, and how is it different from other linking words like donc or puis?

Accepted Answer

Alors can mean so, then, or thus, introducing a conclusion or consequence. It has a slightly more conversational feel than donc, which often sounds more formal or direct. Puis means then in a sequential sense (like next in a list of events). Here, alors connects the desire to succeed together with the belief that one must work determinedly.

Question 4

What does il faut literally mean, and why does it use il, even if it doesn’t refer to a specific person?

Accepted Answer

Il faut literally translates to it is necessary or one must. The word il here is an impersonal subject, not referring to anyone in particular. In French, this is how you express that something is generally necessary or required.

Question 5

Why do we say avec détermination instead of another phrase, like de manière déterminée or déterminé?

Accepted Answer

Avec détermination (with determination) is a common, concise way in French to express the manner in which you work. You could say de manière déterminée (in a determined manner), but avec détermination is more direct and idiomatic. Saying just déterminé would describe a person’s state or characteristic (he/she is determined) rather than how the work is being done.

Nous voulons réussir ensemble, alors nous croyons qu’il faut travailler avec détermination.

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