Classes with Paul Flashcards
Phrase vs sentence
Phrase = clause = Subject + Verb
A sentence can have multiple phrases/clauses
Ex: I’ll sleep (when) you arrive
- 1 sentence
- 2 phrases/clauses
When asking a question, we put the preposition at the end of the clause (not always the sentence!)
Collant
Panthyhose (fins, transparents)
Tights (larges collants, leggins)
Des affaires
Things (only objects)
Stuff (abstract ideas + objects) -> less value
Difference between Clothing and Clothes
They are pure synonyms
But we say “a clothing store”
J’ai (américain)
I got
I’ve got is more British
Je viens juste de le faire
I’ve just done it -> proper English, what British people would use
I just did it -> American English
Paul would use the 1st in formal contexts and the 2nd in informal contexts
J’ai fait une grâce matinée
I slept in
Think about vs Think of
Think about = purely intellectual, considering something
Think of = could be romantic, “you’re occupying my mind”
The dogs vs dogs
In general we always use “dogs”.
“The dogs” can only be used when talking about specific dogs within a context.
Ex:
I walked Paul’s dogs.
Did you enjoy it?
Yes, I love the dogs!
Other example:
Highlight the verbs in the text
Here, we have a specific context (within the text), so we use can use the verbs.
Highlight all verbs in the text -> all = any
Highlight all the verbs in the text -> all the verbs (that are) in the text
Je suis déçu
(not disappointed)
I’m bummed
I’m bummed out
The Oxford comma
To my sister, dog and lover
- The dog could also be the lover
To my sister, dog, and lover
- No misunderstanding
Adverbs that can work both with and without an “s” at the end
Forward/Forwards
Toward/Towards
Upward/Upwards
Inward/Inwards
The first version is most used
Adverbs that can work both with and without “s” or “st” at the end
Among/AmongS
Amid/AmidS
While/Whilst
The first version is most used
Shop vs store
Stores are bigger than shops
Book shop (petite libraire)
Book store (Fnac)
Not to vs To not
Not to = formal writing
To not = informal writing, spoken English
Ex: She managed to not make any spelling mistakes in her essay.
Must vs Need vs Have to
Americans don’t use must, they use need instead
Have to -> external obligation
Must/Need -> internal obligation
2 éléments d’un verbe
4 features/categories of a verb
Temps : positionnement dans le temps
Aspect : point de vue
Tense: point of view
Aspect: completion
Mood: attitude
Voice: agent
Ex:
- Past
- Perfect simple
- Imperative
- Passive
I use a fork “to eat” vs “for eating”
To eat = Goal
The fork is the instrument for the goal (future plan)
For eating = Utility
Explanation of the utility (past experience)
I eat popcorn while/during movie?
While -> followed by a verb
I eat popcorn while I watch the movie
During -> followed by a noun
I eat popcorn during the movie
I am christian vs a christian
We always use a for shared behaviors: job, religion, politics, hobby.
I’m a mechanic
I’m a christian
I’m a democratic
I’m a tennisman
Probabilities of an event
100% Will
/ May
50%
/ Might
0% Won’t
When does an American use May and Might?
Only for probabilities
Might = Don’t expect me but I’ll try
May = It’s not sure but I want to come
A YouTube clip?
No that’s French, we say a music video
Do you like my dressing?
No, dressing is a French word!
We say walk-in closet
Full stop vs Period
Period = American
Full stop = British
Adjective vs Adverb
An adjective modifies a noun
An adverb modifies a verb
Je ne suis pas doué en dessin
I’m not good at drawing
America versions of “Have a try”
Try it out
Give it a try/go/shot
The door was locked so I tried to pull it very hard
The room was hot so I tried opening the window
Have you tried opening the window?
Tried to: when an action is difficult and requires effort
Tried + verb(-ing) : to do something in order to solve a problem
Don’t call Peter now, he must be eating
What else could we say instead of “must”?
Don’t call Peter now, he’ll be eating
To make deductions about activities happening in the present.
Barbie vs Action man
For girls: doll
For boys: action figure
When should we use “that” to connect 2 clauses?
Only when necessary (replacing who or which)
De peur que
Lest
Quelqu’un a volé le pc d’Amanda
Someone has stolen Amanda’s laptop from her
Ma vache s’est perdue
My cow got loose
(only for livestock)
Traveling or Travelling?
Does the vowel say its name?
No, the “e” of travel is not pronounced like an “e”.
It’s not a strong vowel, it’s a week one.
We need to add an extra “L” to protect the weak vowel.
Travelling and Travelled
How do we pronounce the vowel “u” in “tube” and in “tub”?
There is a silent “e” in “tube”, so the “u” is a strong vowel saying its name. So it’s pronounced like a “u”.
As there are no silent “e” in “tub”, the “u” is weak and isn’t pronounced like a “u”.
When do we pronounce a “t” like a “d” in American English?
When the “t” or doubles “t”s are surrounded by vowels.
Ex:
Water
Better
Travel vs trip
We usually use:
- Trip as a noun
- Travel as an adj or verb
I’ve been on a nice trip recently!
These are my travel shoes
Do you like to travel?