Reflexive pronouns, pronominal verbs in the infinitive

Don M.C1Kwiziq community member

Reflexive pronouns, pronominal verbs in the infinitive

In 'New in Town', for the line: 'It shouldn't be too hard to make new friends', there were a number of possible responses given as correct. My question relates to the following 2 possible options: 1. Ça ne devrait pas être trop difficile de ME faire de nouveaux amis, and 2. Ça ne devrait pas être trop difficile de SE faire de nouveaux amis (my emphasis).  I have not been able to find an explanation as to why one has a choice as to whether one makes the reflexive pronoun agree with the subject in the options given. This is an aspect of French that I have never been completely sure about.  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

The difference between (1) me faire de nouveaux amis and (2) se faire de nouveaux amis is that the latter is more impersonal.

In (admittedly somewhat colloquial) English you could render the difference between the two as:

(1) to make myself new friends, or
(2) to make oneself new friends.

Don M.C1Kwiziq community member

Thank you Chris. Your answer was very helpful.

Reflexive pronouns, pronominal verbs in the infinitive

In 'New in Town', for the line: 'It shouldn't be too hard to make new friends', there were a number of possible responses given as correct. My question relates to the following 2 possible options: 1. Ça ne devrait pas être trop difficile de ME faire de nouveaux amis, and 2. Ça ne devrait pas être trop difficile de SE faire de nouveaux amis (my emphasis).  I have not been able to find an explanation as to why one has a choice as to whether one makes the reflexive pronoun agree with the subject in the options given. This is an aspect of French that I have never been completely sure about.  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

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