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Questions & Answers about N’hésite pas à effacer tes erreurs au tableau, puis effacer le texte inutile dans ton cahier.
What is the purpose of using the phrase N’hésite pas à instead of a simple command like Efface !?
N’hésite pas à translates to “Don’t hesitate to…” and serves to soften the command. It invites you to perform the action with a friendly suggestion rather than a strict order, making it more encouraging and less abrupt.
What are the two actions given in the sentence, and how does puis link them?
The sentence gives you two instructions: first, to erase your errors on the board (effacer tes erreurs au tableau), and second, to erase the unnecessary text in your notebook (effacer le texte inutile dans ton cahier). The word puis means “then” and shows that these actions should be performed in sequence—finish the first task before starting the second.
Why is the verb effacer in its infinitive form after N’hésite pas à and in the second command?
In the construction N’hésite pas à + [infinitive], French uses the infinitive to express the action you’re being encouraged to perform. In the second part, repeating effacer in the infinitive form maintains the same clear command structure without needing to restate the introductory phrase.
How does the contraction in N’hésite work grammatically and phonetically?
The contraction N’hésite is a shortened form of Ne hésite. In French, when the following word begins with a vowel or a silent h (as in hésite), the ne is often contracted to n’ to ensure smoother, more fluid pronunciation. This is a common feature in negative constructions.
Why does the sentence use the possessive adjective tes with erreurs but the definite article le with texte inutile?
Using tes erreurs personalizes the mistakes, emphasizing that they are yours, something you wrote on the board. On the other hand, le texte inutile employs the definite article because it refers to a specific, pre-identified piece of text that is considered unnecessary. This differentiation clarifies ownership versus contextual specificity.
What roles do the prepositional phrases au tableau and dans ton cahier play in the sentence?
The phrases provide clear instructions about where to perform each action. Au tableau means “on the board,” indicating the location of your errors, while dans ton cahier translates as “in your notebook,” pinpointing where the unnecessary text is located. They help ensure that you know exactly where each erasure should occur.
Is it acceptable to omit the subject in this sentence, and why?
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in French imperative sentences to omit the subject. The command is directed at tu, and this subject is understood from the context. In imperative constructions, explicitly stating the subject is unnecessary, which is why phrases like N’hésite pas stand alone as complete, clear instructions.