s'améliorer vs améliorer

Question

"We improved rapidly"  why is this "nous nous sommes rapidement améliorés" instead of "nous avons rapidement amélioré"?  I have no idea when to make a verb reflexive!

Accepted Answer

Hi Adrienne, 
For to get better/ to improve you use the intransitive form of the verb s'améliorer (which is reflexive in French) when there is no object -

La situation s'est améliorée petit à petit = The situation got better bit by bit 
Leur santé s'est bien améliorée = Their health has really improved
Ce vin s'améliore avec l'âge = This wine gets better with age

You will use the transitive form of the verb 'améliorer' when it is followed by an object -

Le principal a amélioré le protocole d'entrée = The headmaster had improved the entry protocol
Le ministère des transports a amélioré le réseau d'autoroutes = The department of transport has improved the motorway network

Hope this helps!

Answer

In this case - ask “we improved who or what “? In English “we improved us/ourselves”. The subject and object of the verb are the same, so a reflexive form is needed. With the word order of French- Nous (we) nous (us/ourselves) sommes améliorés….

There are some verbs that are only in reflexive form and some that change meaning in reflexive form. Have a look at link:

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/reflexive-verbs/