Translation of ”Let’s go there together tomorrow"

Frank C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Translation of ”Let’s go there together tomorrow"

Since the paragraph was using 'on' consistently, I chose "On y va ..." instead of "Allons-y ...".  Why is this wrong?

Asked 6 months ago
CélineNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Bonjour Frank,

Chris is right! Also, "On y va !" is in Le Présent Indicatif whereas "Allons-y !" is in L'Impératif.

Take a look here at a similar query here: Difference between "On y va!" and "Allons-y!"

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Salut Frank,

It is a question of immediacy is it not? (Although both are in the impératif mood)

If we write "On y va .." the sense is of "let's go" but short term ie. Now or very soon.

But if we write "Allons-y".  Here the sense is potentially not immediately / now; but more further out in the future and the text of the lesson supports this particular and (perhaps) more formal sense of immediacy (ie. tomorrow).

Hope this helps.

Bonne journée

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Both are very close in meaning, although there's a slight difference:

allons-y -- a bit more formal and emphasises the destination "there": let's go there"
on y va -- familiar register, is often used to mean "let's go!" without emphasis of where to go.

 

Charles T.C1Kwiziq community member

I put Va-t-on! Is that wrong?

CélineNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Bonjour CHarles,

"Va-t-on" is not a translation of "Let's go". It is what you would use to ask a question (specifically an inverted question):

Va-t-on au cinéma ce soir ? = Are we going to the cinema tonight?

Take a look here: 

Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - il/elle/on forms

Conjugate regular verbs in the imperative mood in French (L'Impératif)

I hope this is helpful.

Bonne journée !

Translation of ”Let’s go there together tomorrow"

Since the paragraph was using 'on' consistently, I chose "On y va ..." instead of "Allons-y ...".  Why is this wrong?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!