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how do pronominal verbs work?

Joakim R.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

how do pronominal verbs work?

I have no problems with "se laver" or "se promener" - these are things you're doing to yourself. But "s'attaquer", "se moquer", "s'écrier" (attacking, making fun of, crying at) ? Those are done to others, so why are they pronominal?
Asked 8 years ago
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LauraFrench expert and teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
There's probably some long, complicated historical answer to that, but I don't know what it is. It's just something to memorize.
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Joakim R. asked:

how do pronominal verbs work?

I have no problems with "se laver" or "se promener" - these are things you're doing to yourself. But "s'attaquer", "se moquer", "s'écrier" (attacking, making fun of, crying at) ? Those are done to others, so why are they pronominal?

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