French Phrase
Ils se servent de satellites et de données.
Meaning
They make use of satellites and data. The sentence emphasizes the tools (satellites) and the information (data) that a group is employing, often in a scientific, military, or commercial context.
When to use
Use this phrase when describing how a team, organization, or country utilizes space‑based technology and the data it generates—e.g., in presentations about remote sensing, navigation systems, or big‑data analytics.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilsseserventdesatellitesetdedonnées.
Pronoun Subject (Ils)
Third‑person plural masculine subject pronoun, used for a group of males or a mixed‑gender group.
Pronominal Verb se servir de
A reflexive verb meaning “to make use of”. It always requires the preposition de before its object.
Plural Nouns (satellites, données)
Both nouns are plural; the article “de” is used instead of “des” after the verb se servir.
Coordinating Conjunction (et)
Links two objects of the same verb, here two things that are being used.
🗨In Conversation
Comment surveillent‑ils les changements climatiques ?
How do they monitor climate changes?
Ils se servent de satellites et de données.
They make use of satellites and data.
✕Common Mistakes
Ils servent de satellites et de données.
Missing the reflexive pronoun *se*; the verb must be *se servent*.
Ils se servent les satellites et les données.
After *se servir* you use *de* + indefinite article, not the definite article *les*.
Ils se servent satellites et données.
Do not omit the preposition before the objects; *se servir* requires *de*.
↔Alternatives
Ils utilisent des satellites et des données.
They use satellites and data.
Ils se servent des satellites et des données.
They make use of the satellites and the data.
Ils se servent de la technologie satellite et des données associées.
They make use of satellite technology and the associated data.
Cultural Tip
In French, the pronominal verb *se servir de* is more idiomatic than *utiliser* in everyday speech, especially when talking about tools or resources. Remember that the object always follows the preposition *de*; you never say *se servir les satellites*.