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Questions & Answers about L'équipe travaille ensemble.
Why is l'équipe written with an apostrophe instead of as la équipe?
In French, when a feminine noun starts with a vowel sound (or a silent h), the article la is elided to l' to make pronunciation smoother. Since équipe begins with a vowel, it becomes l'équipe.
Why is the verb travaille in the singular form even though l'équipe refers to a group of people?
Although l'équipe represents multiple individuals, it is treated as a collective noun and considered singular in French. Therefore, the verb travaille is conjugated in the third-person singular form to maintain subject-verb agreement.
What does ensemble mean in this sentence, and why is it included?
Ensemble translates to "together." Its inclusion emphasizes that the team works collaboratively as a unified group, highlighting the spirit of cooperation beyond just the fact that they belong to the same team.
Why is ensemble placed at the end of the sentence rather than immediately after the subject?
In French, adverbs like ensemble are typically positioned after the verb they modify. Placing it after travaille naturally emphasizes the manner in which the team works—that is, together—which is a standard word order in French.
Could the sentence be considered redundant since l'équipe already implies a group working together?
While l'équipe does indicate a group, adding ensemble explicitly stresses the collaborative effort. It reinforces the idea that the individuals are not only part of a team but are actively working in unison.
Are there any alternative words that could replace ensemble without changing the overall meaning too much?
Yes, alternatives like collectivement or en collaboration might sometimes be used. However, ensemble is the most common and idiomatic way to express the idea of working "together" in this context, so it’s generally the preferred choice.