“PAPA : Allez, tout le monde monte dans la voiture !”

Brian E.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

“PAPA : Allez, tout le monde monte dans la voiture !”

Hi, am I correct in thinking the following. [A] “Allez” & “monte” in this sentence are in the Impératif Présent, and [B] that “Allez” is in the second person plural because it’s directed at the multiple members of the family, and that “monte” is in the second person singular (familiar) because it is referring to “tout le monde” which is a singular entity?

Asked 3 years ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Brian,

I have edited my previous answer. I hadn't read the question carefully enough. Both Chris and Alan are correct! 

You could also have something as follows:

Allez les enfants, montez dans la voiture ! = Come on kids, get in the car!

Allez Sophie, monte dans la voiture ! = Come on Sophie, get in the car!

I hope this is useful. 

Bonne journée !

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Actually, I don't think monte is in the imperative mood. It simply is r3e person singular indicative mood:

Toute la monde monte dans la voiture. -- Everyone is getting into the car.

You'll hear allez, allez all the time when trying to get either a group or even a single person to move along. You'd also say allez to someone you are on familiar terms and would otherwise use tu. It's pretty much taken on an idiomatic life by itself.

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I agree, Chris. I don't understand how "monte" can be the imperative. It seems odd to use the "tu" form to a group of people. There's an interesting discussion here:

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/fr-tout-le-monde-imperative.742165/

“PAPA : Allez, tout le monde monte dans la voiture !”

Hi, am I correct in thinking the following. [A] “Allez” & “monte” in this sentence are in the Impératif Présent, and [B] that “Allez” is in the second person plural because it’s directed at the multiple members of the family, and that “monte” is in the second person singular (familiar) because it is referring to “tout le monde” which is a singular entity?

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