Learn Hardcore French: Je m’entraîne chaque matin pour courir plus vite, et Marie veut aussi s’entraîner au yoga. - I practice every morning to run faster, and Marie also wants to practice yoga.

The pronoun "m’" (a contraction of "me") shows that the verb "s’entraîner" is reflexive. This means that the subject (I) is performing the action on themselves; in other words, it translates as "I train myself." French uses reflexive forms for actions one performs on oneself.

Why is the verb "s’entraîner" still in its reflexive form in both parts of the sentence?

The verb "s’entraîner" inherently requires a reflexive pronoun when talking about training or practicing. Whether the sentence states "Je m’entraîne" or "Marie veut aussi s’entraîner," the reflexive form is needed to indicate that each subject is engaging in self-training, even if one uses a modal verb like "veut" (wants).

Why does the clause "Marie veut aussi s’entraîner au yoga" feature "s’entraîner" in the infinitive form?

In French, modal verbs such as "vouloir" (to want) are followed by an infinitive. Since Marie "wants" something, the intended action ("s’entraîner") remains in the infinitive to indicate what she wishes to do—namely, train herself in yoga.

What role does the preposition "pour" play in "pour courir plus vite"?

The preposition "pour" introduces an infinitive clause expressing purpose. In this sentence, "pour courir plus vite" means "in order to run faster," clearly stating the goal or reason behind the training.

Why do we use "au" in "au yoga" instead of another preposition, and how is it formed?

The preposition "au" is a contraction of "à + le." Since "yoga" is a masculine noun that would normally take the article "le," the combination forms "au." This usage is standard in French when referring to participating in an activity or sport.