Sample sentence

ChescaA1Kwiziq community member

Sample sentence

Bonjour,

Is this sentence correct: je ne cours pas du tout pour faire du sport? When to add the pour+infinitif? Example, when you add pour in the example above: Pauline ne veut pas du tout pour dormir -> will mean the same thing as without pour, won't it?

Appreciate all the help! 

Merci :)

Asked 3 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Chesca, 

I am not sure of what you are trying to say in English - that you don't use running as a sport? If so you would say it differently, 

Je n'aime pas la course à pied comme sport 

The expression 'du tout' applies to the verb it follows -

L'enfant ne veut pas du tout jouer The child doesn't want to play at all

Ce n'est pas du tout ce que j'ai dit = That's not what I said at all

Je ne peux plus courir du tout = I cannot run anymore at all

I hope this helps!

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Je ne cours pas du tout pour faire du sport is just as right as je ne cours pour faire du sport du tout. Pour  is not part of the phrase du tout.

Pauline ne veut pas du tout dormir. There's no place for pour.

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

@Cécile: the distinction in what is negated and emphasized by du tout is missing from the lesson. It would be valuable to have it mentioned explicitly there, too.

Sample sentence

Bonjour,

Is this sentence correct: je ne cours pas du tout pour faire du sport? When to add the pour+infinitif? Example, when you add pour in the example above: Pauline ne veut pas du tout pour dormir -> will mean the same thing as without pour, won't it?

Appreciate all the help! 

Merci :)

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!