why à plat elle aussi

CarlC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

why à plat elle aussi

This exercise uses "la batterie à plat elle aussi."  I don't uderstand the need for "elle."  What purpose does it serve?

I think this was the most difficult writing challenge I have ever completed.  Both the vocabulary and the grammar were extremely difficult.

Asked 1 year ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Not sure of the exact context, but it sounds like an emphasiser. Just as in English we might say ‘My battery, it also …’. The use of a pronoun following the noun seems to me to be more commonly used in this fashion in French than in English. 

On another note “ My car is a real ‘beater’ “ has no real meaning in English in my part of the world - not sure why it is not simply translated and titled as “ My car is a real wreck “, as both Larousse and Collins translate “épave”.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/french-english/épave

FrankC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In the U. S., "My car is a real beater" is in fashion and simply refers to an old car not well kept.

MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Thanks Frank. Expected it may be US origin !

CarlC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I live in the US.  Believe me, "beater" is not an American expression.  Sounds British to me but I can't confirm that . Maybe some of our British friends can pipe in.  From the context, I'm sure a "beater" is a wreck.  Don't know why the authors didn't use wreck.

why à plat elle aussi

This exercise uses "la batterie à plat elle aussi."  I don't uderstand the need for "elle."  What purpose does it serve?

I think this was the most difficult writing challenge I have ever completed.  Both the vocabulary and the grammar were extremely difficult.

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