Je laisse le chien dans le jardin.

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Breakdown of Je laisse le chien dans le jardin.

• le chien: the dog
• dans: in
• le jardin: the garden
• laisser: to leave

Questions & Answers about Je laisse le chien dans le jardin.

What does the verb laisser mean in the context of this sentence?

In this sentence, laisser means "to leave" or "to let be," indicating that the speaker is leaving the dog in the garden. Although laisser can sometimes mean "to allow" in other contexts, here it specifically describes the action of leaving the dog behind in a location.

What is the significance of the verb form laisse in this sentence?

Laisse is the first person singular present tense form of the verb laisser. This shows that the speaker, using je (I), is performing the action. It translates to "I leave" in English, matching the subject with the correct verb conjugation.

Why is the definite article le used before chien in the sentence?

The definite article le is used because the sentence refers to a specific dog, much like saying "the dog" in English. In French, definite articles are often used to denote something known or previously mentioned in context, making the reference more specific.

How does the preposition dans function in the phrase dans le jardin?

The preposition dans means "in" or "inside" and is used to indicate location. In this sentence, dans le jardin tells us where the dog is being left—inside or within the boundaries of the garden. This usage clearly specifies the spatial setting of the action.

Does the sentence imply that the dog is being abandoned permanently?

Not necessarily. The sentence simply states that the dog is left in the garden without providing further context. Laisser in this case is neutral regarding whether the dog is abandoned permanently, temporarily, or simply being let be while the speaker attends to something else.