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Questions & Answers about Nous devons valider nos billets avant de monter dans le train, et valider aussi ce formulaire sur Internet.
What does the verb valider mean in this context, especially since it is used with both tickets and an online form?
In this sentence, valider means to "check," "confirm," or "activate." For the tickets, it implies that you must have them stamped or verified (often by a machine) before boarding the train. For the online form, it means to complete or submit it in a way that confirms your information.
Why is the phrase avant de monter dans le train constructed with avant de followed by an infinitive?
In French, avant de is a standard construction used to indicate that one action takes place before another. It is always followed by an infinitive form (here, monter) because it expresses a condition in time: "before boarding the train."
Why is the verb valider repeated in the sentence without restating the subject?
It is common in French—and many languages—to repeat the main verb when listing multiple actions, even if the subject remains the same. The first clause gives the general obligation (Nous devons valider nos billets), and the second part continues the list of tasks (et valider aussi ce formulaire sur Internet). The subject "we" is understood for both actions, so repetition of the verb helps to emphasize and clearly structure each task.
What is the difference between nos billets and ce formulaire, and why are different determiners used?
Nos billets uses the possessive adjective nos ("our") to indicate that the tickets belong to the speakers. In contrast, ce formulaire uses the demonstrative adjective ce ("this") to point out a specific form, likely provided as part of the service or process. The choice reflects ownership versus identification of a particular item.
What role does aussi play in the sentence, and why is it placed immediately after the second valider?
Aussi means "also" or "as well." Its placement right after valider emphasizes that, in addition to checking the tickets, you must also complete the online form. In French, adverbs like aussi can be positioned immediately after the verb to modify it directly, highlighting the additional requirement.
Why is monter used with the preposition dans in monter dans le train, and why is sur used in sur Internet?
The choice of prepositions reflects standard French usage. When referring to boarding or getting on a train, the phrase is monter dans le train, where dans implies entering inside a vehicle. Conversely, when referring to doing something online, sur Internet is the conventional expression, similar to saying "on the Internet" in English.