Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching French grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Paul franchit la porte.
What does the verb franchir mean in this sentence?
In this context, franchir means "to cross" or "to pass over" an obstacle. Here, "Paul franchit la porte" conveys that Paul is moving through or over the door, emphasizing the act of overcoming a barrier or threshold.
Which tense is used for franchit in this sentence, and how might context affect its interpretation?
The form franchit is the third person singular of franchir. It can be interpreted in two ways: in everyday spoken French, it is the simple present (meaning "Paul crosses the door"), but in a literary or narrative context, the same form is used for the passé simple (a past tense used predominantly in written storytelling). Context will determine which interpretation fits best.
How is franchir conjugated, and does it follow a regular pattern for -ir verbs?
Yes, franchir is conjugated like many other regular -ir verbs. Its present tense forms are:
• I franchis
• You franchis
• He/She/It franchit
• We franchissons
• You franchissez
• They franchissent
In "Paul franchit la porte," the verb is in the third person singular form, which is consistent with the regular pattern.
Why is the noun porte preceded by the definite article la instead of an indefinite article?
The definite article la is used because the door is considered a specific, identifiable object in this context. Much like "the door" in English, la porte implies that both the speaker and listener know which door is being referred to, or that it holds a particular significance in the situation.
How does franchir differ from similar verbs like entrer or passer when describing movement through a doorway?
While entrer directly means "to enter" and passer can mean "to pass by" or "to go through" in a general sense, franchir carries the nuance of overcoming or crossing a boundary. It emphasizes the act of surmounting an obstacle, which may hint at a more deliberate or significant action than merely stepping into a space.