très au sérieux

Question

In the listening exercises the following is used"ils prennent leur rôle de grandes-parents très au sérieux". Why "très au sérieux" and not "très sérieux"?Thank you

Accepted Answer

Hi Rosalie,
The expression is 'prendre quelque chose  au sérieux' is idiomatic and means 'to take something seriously'.
Here it is hightened by 'très au sérieux'.
You just wouldn't say 'sérieusement' in French.
Hope this helps!

Answer

"sérieux" can either be an adjective or a masculine noun. In your example above it is being used as a noun as its the correct grammatical choice. You could say "ils prennent leur rôle de grandes-parents très sérieusement" if you wanted to use an adjective.

Answer

Sorry correction sérieusement is an adverb

Answer

This is an idiomatic phrase:Prendre qqc au sérieux -- to take something seriously