Breakdown of Marie réserve une table pour Paul.
Paul
Paul
Marie
Marie
la table
the table
pour
for
réserver
to reserve
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Questions & Answers about Marie réserve une table pour Paul.
What is the function of "réserve" in this sentence?
"Réserve" is the third person singular present tense form of the regular -er verb réserver. It means "reserves" or "books", and it agrees with the subject Marie, indicating that Marie is performing the action.
Why is the article "une" used before "table" instead of a definite article?
The use of "une" makes "table" indefinite, meaning "a table" rather than a specific, previously mentioned table. This tells us that Marie is reserving any available table for Paul rather than a particular one.
What role does the phrase "pour Paul" play in the sentence?
"Pour Paul" is a prepositional phrase that indicates the beneficiary of the action. It translates to "for Paul" in English, clarifying that the table is being reserved with Paul in mind.
How does the word order in "Marie réserve une table pour Paul" compare to that of a typical English sentence?
The sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object order, much like "Marie reserves a table for Paul" in English. This similarity makes it easier for English speakers to grasp the basic structure, although more complex French sentences can feature different placements for adjectives and other elements.
What does the conjugation "réserve" reveal about French verb patterns, especially for -er verbs?
The conjugation of réserver here shows that it adheres to a regular pattern for -er verbs: for the third person singular, you drop the -er and add an -e. This pattern applies to many French verbs, making it easier to predict their forms in the present tense.
Can Paul be replaced with a pronoun in this sentence, and if so, what would change?
Yes, Paul can be replaced with the indirect object pronoun lui (meaning "for him") if the context already makes it clear who is being referred to. In that case, the sentence would become "Marie lui réserve une table." However, keeping Paul in the sentence explicitly identifies the person receiving the reservation, which can be important for clarity.