Paul décrit chaque étape du projet, et j’observe avec attention pour ne pas faire de faute.

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Questions & Answers about Paul décrit chaque étape du projet, et j’observe avec attention pour ne pas faire de faute.

What does the verb décrit mean, and how is it used in this sentence?
Décrit is the third-person singular present form of the irregular verb décrire, which means “to describe.” In this sentence, it is used with the subject Paul to indicate that he is describing each stage of the project.
Why is chaque used with the singular noun étape instead of a plural form?
Chaque means “each” and always modifies a singular noun. It emphasizes the individuality of every step in the project, whereas using a plural form like toutes les étapes would imply looking at the steps collectively rather than individually.
What is the role of avec attention in the sentence, and can it be replaced by an adverb?
Avec attention functions as an adverbial phrase that describes the manner in which the speaker observes—namely, carefully or attentively. This phrase can indeed be replaced by the adverb attentivement, which carries the same meaning.
Why does the expression pour ne pas faire de faute use de before faute instead of an article like une?
In French, when an indefinite noun is used in a negative construction, the indefinite article (or partitive article) is replaced by de. Here, ne pas faire de faute translates to “not to make (any) mistake,” where de faute is used to express the idea in a general sense without specifying a particular fault.
What is the function of the clause pour ne pas faire de faute in this sentence?
This clause expresses the purpose behind the action of observing. It explains that the speaker observes carefully in order to avoid making mistakes. The structure pour + infinitive is commonly used in French to indicate purpose.
Why is j’observe written with an apostrophe instead of as je observe?
In French, elision occurs when the subject pronoun je is followed by a verb that begins with a vowel sound. The e in je is dropped and replaced by an apostrophe, which is why je observe becomes j’observe for smoother pronunciation.

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