des efforts vs un effort ... ?

Question

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!!

Answer

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 !

Answer

Thank you!