Breakdown of Déplacer les tables semble être un objectif simple, pourtant il faut rester prudent pour éviter les accidents.
la table
the table
rester
to stay
falloir
to be necessary
pour
in order to
éviter
to avoid
pourtant
yet
prudent
careful
déplacer
to move
l'objectif
the objective
simple
simple
l'accident
the accident
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Questions & Answers about Déplacer les tables semble être un objectif simple, pourtant il faut rester prudent pour éviter les accidents.
What grammatical role does the infinitive phrase Déplacer les tables play in this sentence?
The infinitive phrase Déplacer les tables acts as the subject of the sentence. In French, using an infinitive in this way is common to denote an action in a general or abstract sense—similarly to how English sometimes uses a gerund (e.g., “Moving the tables” as a subject). This construction encapsulates the idea of the action itself without referring to a specific person doing it.
Why is the construction sembler être used, and what does it mean in this context?
The construction sembler être translates to “seems to be.” In this sentence, it links the action of moving the tables to the description un objectif simple (a simple objective). It indicates that while moving the tables appears to be straightforward, this appearance might be somewhat deceptive. The pattern of using sembler followed by an infinitive (here, être) is a common way in French to express perception or assumption about an action or state.
What is the role of the word pourtant in this sentence?
Pourtant serves as a contrastive conjunction, similar to “yet” or “however” in English. It introduces a contrasting idea after stating that moving the tables seems simple. The use of pourtant highlights that despite the task’s apparent simplicity, caution is still necessary. It effectively signals that there is an important counterpoint—the need to remain cautious despite appearances.
Why does the sentence use the impersonal expression il faut rester prudent, and what does it imply?
The phrase il faut rester prudent is an impersonal construction meaning “one must remain cautious” or “it is necessary to be cautious.” This formulation does not target a specific individual but gives a general rule or piece of advice. It emphasizes that, in general, being cautious is essential in this situation to prevent any mishaps.
What is the function of the phrase pour éviter les accidents in the sentence?
The phrase pour éviter les accidents explains the purpose behind the recommendation to remain cautious—it means “in order to avoid accidents.” This clause provides a clear reason for the caution advised in the sentence, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship: even if moving the tables seems simple, caution is required to prevent any potential accidents.
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