Breakdown of Quand vous serez en vacances, vous pourrez vous baigner dans la mer chaque matin.
être
to be
en
in
dans
in
le matin
the morning
quand
when
pouvoir
to be able
chaque
every
vous
you
la mer
the sea
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching French grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Quand vous serez en vacances, vous pourrez vous baigner dans la mer chaque matin.
Why is the future simple form “serez” used in the clause “Quand vous serez en vacances” instead of the present indicative?
Although many time clauses in French use the present tense to indicate a future event, the future simple “serez” is perfectly acceptable—and often preferred in formal writing—to emphasize that being on vacation is a condition that will definitely occur in the future. This choice underlines the anticipated change of state.
Why is “pourrez” (the future form of “pouvoir”) used in the sentence?
“Pourrez” is the future simple form of the modal verb “pouvoir,” meaning “will be able to.” It indicates that once you’re on vacation, you will have the ability or permission to swim in the sea every morning. The use of the future tense here aligns with the overall future context of the sentence.
Why is the verb “baigner” used with the reflexive pronoun in “vous baigner” rather than simply “baigner”?
In French, the action of swimming in natural bodies of water is commonly expressed with the reflexive verb “se baigner,” which literally means “to bathe oneself.” Using the reflexive form signals that the subject is engaging in an activity on themselves. Writing “vous pourrez vous baigner” is the standard way to express “you will be able to swim” in French.
What does each part of the sentence mean?
Breaking it down:
• Quand vous serez en vacances means “when you are on vacation” (indicating a future period).
• Vous pourrez translates as “you will be able to,” expressing a future possibility or permission.
• Vous baigner dans la mer means “to swim in the sea,” with the reflexive verb showing that you are engaging in the action yourself.
• Chaque matin means “every morning,” specifying the frequency of the activity.
Why does the pronoun “vous” appear twice in the main clause?
The first “vous” serves as the subject of the clause, while the second “vous” is the reflexive pronoun needed for the verb “se baigner.” In French reflexive constructions, it is necessary to include the reflexive pronoun to show that the subject is performing the action on itself. Although it might seem repetitive, this structure is grammatically required.