translation question

Alexis S.B1Kwiziq community member

translation question

J'ai vu Sharon Stone descendre d'une limousine.I saw Sharon Stone get out of a limo.
Why the infinitive?   How does this work?
Asked 3 months ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Jim's right. the grammatical structure of the sentence is this:

Je --> subject
ai vu --> conjugated verb (ai) and participle (vu) to form the passé composé
Sharon Stone  --> direct object
descendre de la limousine --> infinitive clause  further specifying the direct object

A verb is only conjugated in accordance with the subject, never the direct object. That's why descendre is the infinitive.

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Alexis,

The subject of the sentence is I (je) the verb (voir) is conjugated in the passé composé and the object is Sharon Stone.

There is no requirement to conjugate the verb descendre (get out of (de) a limo) and that is why it is in the infinitive.

I hope this helps.

Bonne continuation.

Jim

Alexis S. asked:

translation question

J'ai vu Sharon Stone descendre d'une limousine.I saw Sharon Stone get out of a limo.
Why the infinitive?   How does this work?

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
I'll be right with you...