des efforts vs un effort ... ?

GabhanC1Kwiziq community member

des efforts vs un effort ... ?

I don't think this is a question pertaining to the subjunctive, however, it is something I am unsure about and which appears in this lesson. So I may as well ask here. "... fassions des efforts" - is translated as "... make an effort." But yet, "... fassiez des cookies" is translated as "... make some cookies." Why does one say "des efforts" rather than "un effort" to mean "an effort"? Thanks!!
Asked 6 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Gabhan ! Here it's simply due to the colloquial usage of the phrase: in English, you will tend to use the singular "to make an effort", whereas in French you can use either "faire un effort" in a general way, or "faire des efforts" to emphasise the strength of the effort to be made: not just "one" effort, but several ;) I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !
GabhanC1Kwiziq community member
Thank you!

des efforts vs un effort ... ?

I don't think this is a question pertaining to the subjunctive, however, it is something I am unsure about and which appears in this lesson. So I may as well ask here. "... fassions des efforts" - is translated as "... make an effort." But yet, "... fassiez des cookies" is translated as "... make some cookies." Why does one say "des efforts" rather than "un effort" to mean "an effort"? Thanks!!

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
Let me take a look at that...