why à plat elle aussi

Question

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.

Maarten Kamp · Accepted 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

Frank Cooke · Answer

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

Maarten Kamp · Answer

Thanks Frank. Expected it may be US origin !

Carl Cerco · Answer

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.