La cause, le but, le moyen
Fiche
1. La cause
• Pour demander pourquoi, on utilise une question ouverte commençant par why. On répond avec une subordonnée de cause, introduite par because.
Why do you want to study history? Because I want to be an archaeologist.
They should listen to you because you always give good advice.
Why do you want to study history? Because I want to be an archaeologist.
They should listen to you because you always give good advice.
• On peut aussi utiliser la forme : for + BV-ing.
She was punished for cheating.
She was punished for cheating.
2. Le but
• On utilise une proposition infinitive pour exprimer le but : to + BV.
I studied biology to become a vet.
What did you do that for? I did it to warn you!
I studied biology to become a vet.
What did you do that for? I did it to warn you!
• D'autres expressions avec to existent et sont synonymes : in order to / so as to...
• On peut aussi utiliser : for + nom
I'm studying for my exams.
I'm studying for my exams.
3. Le moyen
On utilise by de différentes façons :
• by + nom : pour un moyen de locomotion.
They came from London by train.
They came from London by train.
• by + pronom réfléchi : pour exprimer l'autonomie.
I can travel by myself!
I can travel by myself!
• by + BV-ing : pour atteindre un but.
She became a teacher by working very hard.
She became a teacher by working very hard.
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Il ne faut pas confondre for + BV-ing et for + nom !© 2000-2026, Miscellane