Grammar Deck B Flashcards
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Avoir l’habitude de
To be used to
Avoir honte (de)
To be ashamed (of)
En avoir marre de
To be fed up with
Avoir sommeil
To be tired
N’avoir pas de chance
To be unlucky
What is the difference between savoir and connaître?
Savoir means to have knowledge of/ to know how to. Connaître means to be acquainted/ familiar with.
Je connais le chemin
I know (am familiar with) the way
Je sais quel chemin prendre
I know which way to go
Devoir can also mean what as well as to have to/ must?
To owe
Je vous dois combien, s’il vous plaît?
How much do I owe you please?
You take the first on the right
Vous prenez la première à droite
You go straight ahead and you turn left. It is near here.
Vous continuez tout droit et vous tournez à gauche. C’est près d’ici.
Il faut tourner à droite.
You’ll need to turn right.
Il faut prendre la quatrième rue à gauche.
You’ll need to take the fourth street on the left.
You have to go straight ahead, cross the road and continue as far as the Rue de Lille.
Vous devez continuer tout droit, traverser la rue et continuer jusqu’à la rue de Lille.
Take a right-hand turn
Prenez à droite.
Take the first on the right.
Prends la première à droite.
Go straight ahead.
Continuez/ continue tout droit.
I never know how to give directions
Je ne sais jamais donner les directions
What are indirect object pronouns?
Pronouns needed to answer the question ‘to whom?’ Me Te Lui Nous/ vous Leur
Je lui donne des directions précises
I give him/ her precise directions
She tells them to go straight on.
Elle leur dit de continuuer tout droit
Where is the Chemin de l’Empire?
Où se trouve le chemin de l’Empire?
Il faut sortir la poubelle
You must take the dustbin out
Il faut te lever de bonne heure
You must get up early
Il ne faut pas trop te servir du téléphone.
You must not use the telephone too often.
Mark is going to give them a street map of Saint- Amand on his return.
Mark va leur donner un plan de Saint- Amand à son retour.
He is also going to write to them to confirm that they are welcome at the Lemaires’.
Il va aussi leur écrire pour confirmer qu’ils sont les bienvenus chez les Lemaire.
The Dicksons are going to come in July. Isabelle asks Georges if this is all right with him.
Les Dickson vont venir en juillet. Isabelle demande à Georges si cela lui convient.
Il leur faut un plan.
They need a street map.
Il te faut acheter un plan.
You need to buy a street map.
This belongs to me.
Cela m’appartient (indirect object pronoun)
The postman brings us the mail/the mail to us at 7 a.m .
Le facteur nous apporte le courier à 7h (indirect object pronoun).
He often writes to her/him.
Il lui écrit souvent (indirect object pronoun)
Il vous a envoyé un mél? (indirect object pronoun)
Did he send you an e-mail?
He explains the situation clearly to them .
Il leur explique la situation clairement (indirect object pronoun)
When are you going there?
Vous y allez quand?
I often think about it.
J’ y pense souvent.
Stay there.
Restez- y.
Vas-y!
Go! (there)
Donnes-en un peu!
Give a bit/ some of it!
Nous LEUR demandons les directions
We ask them for directions.
Il LEUR téléphone
He rings them up
Y and en can both mean ‘of this/ it’ but what does y replace?
à + noun: J’y pense souvent = je pense à cela (I often think of/ about this)
Y and en can both mean ‘of this/ it’ but what does en replace?
De + noun: J’en mange = je mange de cela (I eat some of it)
D’abord,
First,
Le coucher du soleil
Sunset
De plus,
In addition
L’année dernière
Last year
Cette année
This year
L’année prochaine
Next year
L’année dernière
Last year
Cette année
This year
L’année prochaine
Next year
Les Dickson sont accueillis par les Lemaire
The Dicksons are welcomed by the Lemaires
Les valises sont faites par Alison
The packing is done by Alison
What are the endings for future tense verbs (eg for the verb aimer)?
AimerAI AimerAS AimerA AimerONS AimerEZ AimerONT
Decline the future tense of avoir.
Aurai Auras Aura Aurons Aurez Auront
Decline the future tense of être
Serai Seras Sera Serons Serez Seront
Decline the future tense of aller
Irai Iras Ira Irons Irez Iront
Decline the future tense of venir
Viendrai Viendras Viendra Viendrons Viendrez Viendront
Decline the future tense of faire
Ferai Feras Fera Ferons Ferez Feront
Decline the future tense of vouloir
Voudrai Voudras Voudra Voudrons Voudrez Voudront
Decline the future tense of pouvoir
Pourrai Pourras Pourra Pourrons Pourrez Pourront
Decline the future tense of of savoir
Saurai Sauras Saura Saurons Saurez Sauront
Decline the future tense of devoir
Devrai Devras Devra Devrons Devrez Devront
Decline the future tense of falloir
Il faudra
Decline the future tense of voir
Verrai Verras Verra Verrons Verrez Verront
How are the future tenses of appeler and acheter modified from the normal stem?
Appeler = appellerai, etc. Acheter = achèterai, etc.
In summer we shall go to the beach
En été nous irons à la plage
In spring
Au printemps
In January
En janvier
Next Friday
Vendredi prochain
Dans quinze jours
In a fortnight’s time
I’ll be at your place in ten minutes
Je serai chez toi dans dix minutes
Il viendra en moins de dix minutes
He’ll come in less than ten minutes (ie it will take him less than ten minutes)
Elle finira son doctorat en quatre ans
She’ll finish her doctorate in four years (ie it will take her four years)
What is the difference between qui and que?
Qui is a subject pronoun, que is an object pronoun, except where a verb like demander à is used, in which case qui is still used.
Nous les accueillerons quand ils arriveront
We’ll welcome them when they arrive
Lorsque Mark partira , Stéphanie se sentira très triste
When Mark leaves, Stéphanie will feel very sad
In French, a tense called the future perfect (Quand j’aurai terminé mon travail) is used when?
When in English you would use a past tense. This emphasizes that one action will come after the other.
Je te téléphonerai quand j’ aurai terminé mon travail
I’ll ring you when I’ve finished work
Dès que j’ aurai réparé le tuyautage de Madame Vincent, je rentrerai à la maison
As soon as I’ve repaired Madame Vincent’s pipes, I’ll come home
What word do you use instead of de + qui eg after ‘parler de’ ?
Dont
La collègue AVEC QUI je viens au bureau habite près de chez moi
The colleague I come to work with lives near me
Le client POUR QUI je fais des recherches veut améliorer ses logiciels
The client I’m doing research for wants to improve his software.
As-tu vu l’ordinateur SUR LEQUEL je travaille?
Have you seen the computer I work on?
When using the imperative, what three forms of a regular verb are used:
- tu form (minus the s in the case of er verbs) - vous form (n’oubliez pas!) - nous form (allons!)
What are the three imperative forms of ‘avoir’?
Aie! Ayons! Ayez!
What are the three imperative forms of être?
Sois! Soyons! Soyez!
He is a teacher
il est professeur
Mark likes football
Mark aime le football
Nicholas has friends on the internet
Nicolas a des amis sur Internet
Georges is watching a football match on the television
Georges regarde un match de football à la télévision
Nicholas likes computers
Nicholas aime les ordinateurs
Nicholas is meeting friends this evening
Nicholas rencontre des amis ce soir
Do you have any hobbies?
Avez-vous des passe-temps?
I have some French friends
J’ai des amis français
Nicholas goes to the cinema
Nicholas va au cinéma
Nicolas prefers this video
Nicolas préfère cette vidéo
Stephanie likes this painting by Monet very much
Stéphanie adore ce tableau de Monet
Stephanie admires her mother because she does voluntary work
Stéphanie admire sa mère car elle fait du travail bénévole
Mark plays football and rugby
Mark fait du football et du rugby
Nicholas goes to the cinema
Nicholas va au cinéma
Nicolas plays the piano
Nicolas joue DU piano
Nicolas prefers this video
Nicolas préfère cette vidéo
Stephanie likes this painting by Monet very much
Stéphanie adore ce tableau de Monet
Do you like these avant-garde ideas?
Aimez-vous ces idées d’avant-garde?
Their father, Georges, has hunting trophies
Leur père, Georges, a des trophées de chasse
Mark plays squash on Mondays
Mark joue au squash LE lundi
Let’s eat this tart
MangEons cette tarte!
Let’s invest our money in a safe place!
Plaçons notre argent en lieu sûr! (Note use of cedilla for nous form of imperative of verbs ending in -cer)
Decline the imperative forms of aller
Va Allons Allez
Decline the imperative form of faire
Fais Faisons Faites
Decline the imperative forms of savoir
Sache Sachons Sachez
When you are speaking, what tense can you use to give a direct order other than using an imperative?
The present tense (tu and vous forms).
In formal situations, where written instructions are given, what is sometimes used to convey the instructions?
The infinitive is sometimes used to issue a direct instruction. For example: Composer votre numéro personnel = Type in your PIN
I’ll give it (m. noun) to him
Je LE LUI donnerai
I’ll send them to you
Je VOUS LES enverrai
Mark buys it (m. noun) for him/ her
Mark LE LUI achète
Send it to him/ her!
Envoie-LE-LUI!
Achetez-la-moi!
Buy it for me!
Don’t buy it for me!
Ne me l’achetez pas!
What is the past participle of pouvoir?
Pu
What is the past participle of vouloir?
Voulu
What is the past participle of savoir?
Su
What is the past participle of dire?
Dit
Does monter take être or avoir in the perfect tense?
Être
If past participles of verbs are used with a noun, do they agree with the noun in number and gender?
Yes, eg: Un rendez-vous manqué = A missed meeting
A typed letter
Une lettre tapée
Des bureaux partagés
Shared offices
Which three prepositions are frequently used to refer to events in the past?
Après, avant and pendant.
Avez-vous fait bon voyage?
Did you have a good trip?
What is the difference between the perfect and imperfect tense?
The perfect is used for single events, the imperfect for frequent events, situations which lasted a long time, and things that happened often.
How is the stem of the imperfect tense formed?
It uses the nous form of the present tense, minus the ‘ons’ ending: Nous avons ==> av- Except être which ===> ét-
What are the imperfect tense endings?
-ais -ais -ait -ions -iez -aient
When we were little I hated you
Quand nous étions petits je te détestais.
You wouldn’t stop crying.
Tu ne cessais pas de pleurer.
Our father liked you better than me .
Notre père t’aimait mieux que moi.
You (pl) were always together .
Vous étiez toujours ensemble.
Tous les jours
Every day
Tous les mois
Every month
Tous les ans
Every year
Deux fois par jour
Twice a day
À cette époque
At that time
Pendant les années 80
In the 80s
Pendant cette période
During that time
De 2001 à 2005
From 2001 to 2005
Entre 2005 et 2006
Between 2005 and 2006
What tense is the following an example of: L’ordinateur a été acheté par Georges
Present passive: The computer was bought by Georges
Decline the imperfect tense of avoir when used as a pluperfect tense auxiliary verb.
Avais Avais Avait Avions Aviez Avaient
After (conjunction)
Après que
When/ while (conjunction)
Pendant que
If not using the present passive, how else can you express the passive?
ON nous a priés de ne prendre de photos dans la musée (we were asked not to take photos in the museum) Le nombre de morts dans ces batailles S’EXPLIQUE par… (The number killed in these battles is explained by…)
I had been waiting for an hour
J’attendais depuis une heure (Ie use imperfect in such circumstances even if we say something ‘had’ been going on for a certain time in English.
What is a perfect infinitive?
Après avoir quitté (After leaving) Après avoir acheté (After buying)
Avant de quitter
Before leaving
Avant d’acheter
Before buying
To express wishing, wanting, approval, disapproval, regret and doubt, etc. which mood is used if preceded by the appropriate ‘signal’ ?
The subjunctive. Eg: Je veux que nous visitIONS le musée
How is the present subjunctive formed?
Take the ils/elles plural present tense form of the verb, remove -ent and add the following: -e -es -e -ions -iez -ent
Which word is often followed by the subjunctive form of a verb?
Que
Decline the subjunctive of être
Que je sois Que tu sois Qu’il soit Que nous soyons Que nous soyez Qu’elles soient
Decline the subjunctive of avoir
Que j’aie Que tu aies Qu’il ait Que nous ayons Que vous ayez Qu’elles aient
Decline the subjunctive of aller
Que j’aille Que tu ailles Qu’il aille Que nous allions Que vous alliez Qu’elles aillent
Decline the subjunctive of vouloir
Que je veuille Que tu veuilles Qu’il veuille Que nous voulions Que vous vouliez Qu’elles veuillent
Decline the subjunctive of faire
Que je fasse Que tu fasses Qu’il fasse Que nous fassions Que vous fassiez Qu’ils fassent
Decline the subjunctive of savoir
Que je sache Que tu saches Qu’il sache Que nous sachions Que vous sachiez Qu’ils sachent
Decline the subjunctive of pouvoir
Que je puisse Que tu puisses Qu’il puisse Que nous puissions Que vous puissiez Qu’ils puissent
Il faut que takes what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive.
Vouloir que takes what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive
Désirer que takes what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive
Souhaiter que takes what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive
Aimer que takes what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive
Avoir peur que and craindre que take what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive as well as a meaningless NE before the subjunctive in formal French.
Regretter que and être désolé(e) que take what form of verb afterwards?
The subjunctive.
How are ce qui and ce que (what/ which) used?
They refer to things (ce qui refers to the subject and ce que refers to the object), and are used to emphasise a particular word or expression in a sentence.
What Alison is specially interested in is the history of France
CE QUI intéresse Alison, c’est surtout l’histoire de la France
What she wants to see is the historical museums
CE QU’elle veut voir, c’est les musées historiques
The transitive form of a verb (VT in a dictionary) requires what?
An object (eg I filled THE CUP).
Does the intransitive form of a verb (VI in a dictionary) require an object?
No (eg I ran)
What is an impersonal verb?
One which has no je or te, etc. (eg il faut que).
What is a pronominal verb? (vpr in a dictionary)
Effectively a reflexive verb.
Does il est CLAIR que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The indicative
Does il est CERTAIN que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The indicative
Does il est SÛR que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The indicative
Does il est PROBABLE que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The indicative
Does il est POSSIBLE que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does il est DOUTEUX que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does il est PEU PROBABLE que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does il est IMPOSSIBLE que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does vouloir que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does ordonner que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does exiger que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does insister que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does être content que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does être ravi que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Does regretter que take the indicative or the subjunctive?
The subjunctive
Can the subjunctive be used to talk about future time?
Yes
Nous avons décidé de téléphoner À l’hôtel DUQUEL les Lemaire nous avaient parlé
We decided to phone the hotel the Lemaires had spoken to us about. (Use of lequel/ laquelle after relative pronoun instead of dont in certain circumstances).
Quand vous serez à Paris, vous pourrez téléphoner AUX amis DE QUI nous avons parlé.
When you are in Paris, you can phone the friends we spoke about. (Use of de qui after relative pronoun instead of dont in certain circumstances).
Verbs to express facts , certainty and probability are followed by…
The indicative.
Verbs that express wishes , fears , commands and things which may never happen are followed by…
The subjunctive.
croire que , penser que , trouver que are followed by what if they are inverted to form a question?
The subjunctive.
Expressions of probability ( il est clair / certain que , i.e. likely to happen) are followed by…
The indicative.
Expressions of possibility ( il est peu probable que , i.e. uncertain) are followed by…
The subjunctive
Espérer que is always followed by..
The indicative
If the subjects of the two verbs are different in a compound sentence, which tense is used for the second verb?
The subjunctive.
In a compound sentence where the subject is the same in each case, which tense is used for the second verb?
The infinitive.
How is the perfect subjunctive formed?
The present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb (avoir , être) is combined with a past participle. For example: Isabelle a peur que Stéphanie AIT décidé de rester en Écosse (Isabelle is afraid that Stéphanie may have decided to stay in Scotland).
Is a superlative sometimes followed by the subjunctive?
Yes, for example: C’est le sondage le plus stupide que j’aie jamais vu . (It’s the stupidest questionnaire I’ve ever seen.)
J’ attends que ta sœur SOIT là pour discuter les réponses aux questions.
I’ll wait until your sister is here to discuss the answers to the questions. (Use of subjunctive in expressions of time etc.)
Nous attendrons jusqu’à ce qu ’elle SOIT REVENUE, pour lui poser des questions sur ses projets.
We’ll wait until she comes back to ask her questions about her plans. (Use of subjunctive in expressions of time)
Georges s’attend à ce que Stéphanie décide de se marier.
Georges expects that Stéphanie will decide to get married. (Use of subjunctive in expressions of expectation).
While avant que is followed by the [] (an event which has not yet happened), après que (an event which has happened and is now over) is followed by the [].
Subjunctive Indicative
The past historic is used in written French to recount what?
Events in the past which do not appear to have an ongoing effect in the present.
How is the past historic tense formed in the case of a regular -er verb
The following endings are added to the infinitive stem (eg donner): je donn- ai tu donn- as il/elle donn- a nous donn- âmes vous donn- âtes ils/elles donn- èrent
How is the past historic tense formed in the case of a regular -ir verb?
je fin- is tu fin- is il/elle fin- it nous fin- îmes vous fin- îtes ils/elles fin- irent
How is the past historic formed in the case of a regular -re verb such as vendre?
Je vend- is tu vend- is il/elle vend- it nous vend- îmes vous vend- îtes ils/elles vend- irent
Amener is used with [] Apporter is used with []
People Things
What are the past historic stems of avoir, être, pouvoir and vouloir?
J’eus Je fus Je pus Je voulus
How is the imperfect subjunctive formed in written French in the case of a regular -er verb such as donner?
que je donn- asse que tu donn- asses qu’il donn- ât que nous donn- assions que vous donn- assiez qu’ils donn- assent
How is the imperfect subjunctive formed in the case of a regular -ir verb such as finir?
que je fin- isse que tu fin- isses qu’il fin- ît que nous fin- issions que vous fin- issiez qu’ils fin- issent
Decline the past historic tense in the case of a typical -re verb such as vendre.
que je vend- isse que tu vend- isses qu’il vend- ît que nous vend- issions que vous vend- issiez qu’ils vend- issent
What are the past historic stems for avoir and être?
avoir = que j’e- usse, etc. être = que je f- usse, etc.
When in formal writing must the imperfect subjunctive be used?
After certain tenses: the imperfect, the past historic and the conditional
Madame Rushton voulait que ses locataires payassent le loyer au commencement de la semaine.
Mrs Rushton wanted her lodgers to pay the rent at the beginning of the week . (Mandatory use of imperfect subjunctive in written French)
Monsieur Robertson insista que je fusse dans mon bureau à neuf heures moins le quart.
Mr Robertson insisted that I be (subjunctive in English) in my office at a quarter to nine. (Mandatory use of imperfect subjunctive in written French).
Decline the conditional tense of a regular -ir verb such as choisir
Je choisir- AIS tu choisir- AIS il choisir- AIT nous choisir- IONS vous choisir- IEZ elles choisir- AIENT
Decline the conditional tense of a regular -er verb such as se marier
je me marier- AIS tu te marier- AIS il/elle se marier- AIT nous nous marier- IONS vous vous marier- IEZ ils/elles se marier- AIENT
If the tense used after ‘si’ is the imperfect, the tense in the main clause must be the [].
Conditional
When you are using indirect speech, a verb the speaker used in the future tense will be changed into the [] tense.
Conditional: Stéphanie a dit qu’elle tuerait Nicolas s’il ne cessait pas de la taquiner (Stéphanie said she would kill Nicolas if he didn’t stop pestering her )
How is alleged/ doubtful or suggested information conveyed in French?
In French the conditional conveys this nuance: Le marié aurait volé l’alliance (The groom is supposed to have stolen the wedding ring).
Does offrir mean ‘to offer’ when used in the context of a present?
No
Tu as donné
You (singular) gave
Il a donné
He gave
Elle a donné
She gave
Nous avons donné
We gave
Vous avez donné
You (plural) gave
Ils ont donné
They gave (masculine)
Elles ont donné
They gave (feminine)
J’ai fini
I finished, I have finished
J’ai vendu
I sold, I have sold
J’ai eu
I had, I have had
J’ai bu
I drank, I have drunk
J’ai connu
I knew, I have known
J’ai couru
I ran, I have run
J’ai cru
I believed, I have believed
J’ai donné
I gave
J’ai dit
I said, I have said
J’ai écrit
I wrote, I have written
J’ai fait
I made/ did I have made/ done
J’ai lu
I read, I have read
J’ai mis
I put, I have put
J’ai ouvert
I opened, I have opened
Il a plu
It rained, it has rained
J’ai pu
I was able, I have been able
J’ai pris
I took, I have taken
J’ai reçu
I received, I have received
J’ai ri
I laughed, I have laughed
J’ai su
I knew, I have known
J’ai suivi
I followed, I have followed
J’ai veçu
I lived, I have lived
J’ai vu
I saw, I have seen
J’ai voulu
I wanted, I have wanted
Je suis revenu(e)
I came back, I have come back
Je suis venu(e)
I came, I have come
Il est mort, elle est morte
He died, she died
Je suis né(e)
I was born
Je me suis lavé(e)
I washed myself
Tu t’es lavé(e)
You (s) washed yourself
Il s’est lavé, elle s’est lavée
He washed himself, she washed herself
Nous nous sommes lavé(e)s
We washed ourselves
Vous vous êtes lavé(e)(s)
You (pl) washed yourselves
Ils se sont lavés, elles se sont lavées
They washed themselves (m/f)
Je suis allé(e) au restaurant. J’ai mangé un steak et j’ai bu un verre de bière.
I went to the restaurant. I ate a steak and I drank a glass of beer.
I look at
Je regarde
You look at (informal singular)
Tu regardes
He looks at
Il regarde
She looks at
Elle regarde
We look at
Nous regardons
You look at (plural or polite singular)
Vous regardez
They look at (masculine)
Ils regardent
They look at (feminine)
Elles regardent
Arriver
To arrive
Manger
To eat
Donner
To give
Chercher
To look for
Habiter
To live
Trouver
To find
Marcher
To walk
Préparer
To prepare
Chanter
To sing
Commencer
To begin
I live in London
J’habite à Londres
He walks slowly
Il marche lentement
They (m) arrive late
Ils arrivent en retard
We sing well
Nous chantons bien
He prepares his books
Il prépare ses livres
He gives money
Il donne de l’argent
They (f) are watching TV
Elles regardent la télé
We start at nine o’ clock
Nous commençons à neuf heures
We are looking for a café
Nous cherchons un café
We look for a café
Nous cherchons un café
I finish
Je finis
You (informal singular) finish
Tu finis
He finishes
Il finit
She finishes
Elle finit
We finish
Nous finissons
You (polite/ plural) finish
Vous finissez
They (m) finish
Ils finissent
They (f) finish
Elles finissent
Bâtir
To build
Choisir
To choose
Remplir
To fill
I am building a house
Je bâtis une maison
You (singular) choose a book
Tu choisis un livre
You (plural) fill the page
Vous remplissez la page
She finishes her work
Elle finit son travail
We choose well
Nous choisissons bien
I sell
Je vends
You sell (informal singular)
Tu vends
He sells
Il vend
She sells
Elle vend
We sell
Nous vendons
You sell (plural/ polite)
Vous vendez
They sell (m)
Ils vendent
They sell (f)
Elles vendent
Attendre
To wait for
Entendre
To hear
Rendre
To give back
Perdre
To lose
Répondre
To answer
Descendre
To go down
J’attends le bus
I wait for the bus
Tu entends une explosion
You hear an explosion
Nous rendons l’argent
We give back the money
Ils perdent le chien
They (m) lose the dog
Elles descendent la rue
They (f) go down the road
Il répond à l’invitation
He replies to the invitation
Vous vendez la maison
You (plural/ polite) sell the house
Decline the present tense of ‘aller’ (to go)
Je vais Tu vas Il/ elle va Nous allons Vous allez Ils/ elles vont
Decline the present tense of ‘avoir’ (to have)
J’ai Tu as Il/ elle a Nous avons Vous avez Ils/ elles ont
Decline the present tense of ‘boire’ (to drink)
Je bois Tu bois Il/ elle boit Nous buvons Vous buvez Ils/ elles boivent
Decline the present tense of ‘connaître’ (to know a person/ place)
Je connais Tu connais Il/ elle connaît Nous connaissons Vous connaissez Ils/ elles connaissent
Decline the present tense of ‘croire’ (to believe)
Je crois Tu crois Il/ elle croit Nous croyons Vous croyez Ils/ elles croient
Decline the present tense of ‘courir’ (to run)
Je cours Tu cours Il/ elle court Nous courons Vous courez Ils/ elles courent
‘Plein’ means full, but when used informally, it means..?
‘Lots of’
Decline the past historic of ‘faire’.
Je fis Tu fis Il/ elle/ on fit Nous fîmes Vous fîtes Ils/ elles firent
Decline the past historic of ‘donner’.
Je donnai Tu donnas Il/ elle/ on donna Nous donnâmes Vous donnâtes Ils/ elles donnèrent
How is CE or C’ often used and what does the word mean?
As a third person neutral or impersonal subject pronoun before the verb ‘être’. When used before ‘est’ the word often equates to ‘it’ but when used before ‘sont’ the word can equate to ‘they’.
C’est fantastique!
IT’s fantastic!
Ce sera le dernier concert de l’année.
IT will be the last concert of the year.
Ce sont mes parents.
THEY are my parents.
Ce sont mes parents qui me l’ont donné.
IT’S my parents who gave it to me.
What is the difference between CE and ÇA (being a contraction of CELA)?
They are both impersonal subject pronouns but whereas CE is used with être whereas ÇA is used with other verbs. ÇA can also mean ‘that’ as well as ‘it’.
Ça dépend de ce qu’il dira.
IT depends on what he says.
Ça va faire mal.
IT’ll hurt.
When is ‘il/ elle est’ used at the start of a sentence to introduce a noun as opposed to ‘c’est’?
When it is used to introduce a job or position with NO article (such as ‘un’ for example).
C’est ma soeur.
IT’s/ SHE’s my sister.
C’est la tempête qui a coulé le bâteau.
IT was the storm that sank the boat.
Ce sera la dernière fois que je le ferai pour toi.
IT’ll be the last time I do it for you.
Je pense que c’est un architecte.
I think he’s / IT’s an architect.
Je pense qu’il est médecin.
I think he’s a doctor. (Note use of il est rather than c’est).
When is ‘il est’ used to introduce an adjective as opposed to ‘c’est’?
When it leads to a subordinate clause.
C’est très difficile.
IT’s very difficult.
Mais c’est parfait.
But IT’s/ THAT’s perfect.
Il est très difficile de trouver la bonne réponse.
IT’s very difficult to find the right answer. (Note use of ‘il est’ rather than ‘c’est’.
Which gender does ‘bébé’ take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Masculine - un bébé
Which gender does ‘guide’ take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Masculine - un guide
Which gender does ‘personne’ take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Feminine - une personne
Which gender does ‘vedette’ (a star) take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Feminine - une vedette - a (male or female) star
Un Anglais
An Englishman
Une AnglaisE
An Englishwoman
Un prince
A prince
Une princeSSE
A princess
Un employé
A (male) employee
Une employéE
A (female) employee
Un camarade
A (male) friend
Une camarade
A (female) friend
Un Belge
A Belgian (man)
Une Belge
A Belgian (woman)
A bull and a cow
Un taureau et une vache
A male dog and a female dog
Un chien et une chienne
Which gender does ‘souris’ take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Feminine - une souris (a mouse)
Which gender does ‘poisson’ take, irrespective of its actual gender?
Masculine - un poisson (a fish)
If you don’t know or care what the sex of an animal which affects its spelling/ pronounciation, which gender do you usually use?
The masculine form
French words ending in -e are usually which gender?
Feminine
French words ending in a consonant are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -age are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Masculine (NB: une image, une page, la plage)
French words ending in -ment are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -oir are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -sme are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -eau are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Masculine (NB: la peau, l’eau)
French words ending in -eu are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -ou are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -ier are usually which gender?
Masculine
French words ending in -in are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Masculine (NB: la fin, la main)
French words ending in -on are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Masculine (NB: la maison, la saison)
Days of the week in French are which gender?
Masculine
Months of the year are which gender in French?
Masculine
Seasons of the year are which gender in French?
Masculine
The names of languages are which gender in French?
Masculine (eg le français)
Most metric weights and measures are which gender in French?
Masculine
English nouns used in French are usually which gender?
Masculine (eg un sandwich)
French words ending in -ance are usually which gender?
Feminine
French words ending in -anse are usually which gender?
Feminine
French words ending in -ence are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Feminine (NB le silence)
French words ending in -ense are usually which gender?
Feminine
French words ending in -ion are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Feminine (NB un avion)
French words ending in -té are usually which gender (subject to exceptions) ?
Feminine (NB l’été, le pâté)
If a singular noun ends in -s, -x or -z, is a further -s added in the plural?
No
Nouns ending in -eau or -eu usually add what to indicate a plural noun?
-x
Does adding an -s or -x to the end of a noun usually change the way the word is pronounced?
No
If a singular noun ends in -al or -ail, how does the plural form usually end?
-aux (for example, un journal, des journAUX)
Can words be singular in French but plural in English?
Yes. For example: Un slip (pants) Un short (shorts) Un pantalon (trousers)
Can words be plural in French but singular in English?
Yes. For example: Les affaires (business) Les cheveux (hair) Des renseignements (information)
When ‘les’ is used in front of a word that starts with a consonant, do you say the ‘s’ on the end of ‘les’ ?
No
When ‘les’ is used in front of a word that starts with a vowel (sound), do you say the ‘s’ on the end of ‘les’ ?
Yes, being pronounced as a ‘z’, eg ‘les amis’
When ‘des’ is used in front of a word that starts with a consonant, do you say the ‘s’ on the end of ‘des’ ?
No
When ‘des’ is used in front of a word that starts with a vowel (sound), do you say the ‘s’ on the end of ‘des’ ?
Yes, pronounced as a ‘z’
What is the usual meaning of ‘des’?
‘some’
In questions and negative sentences, what does ‘des’ tend to mean?
‘any’ - for example ‘tu as des frères?’ (Have you any brothers?)
Do you have stamps?
Avez-vous DES timbres? (i.e., we might miss out the indefinite article in English but it cannot be missed out in French).
In what two places is the indefinite article not used?
With the adjective ‘quel’ (for example, ‘quel dommage!’) and when saying what jobs people do (for example, ‘il est professeur’).
When you use ‘c’est’ to mean he/she is [a doctor], do you use un/ une before the noun?
Yes - c’est UN médecin
When you use ‘ce sont’ to mean ‘they are [actors]’, do you use ‘des’ before the noun?
Yes - ce sont DES acteurs
When an adjective comes before a noun, what does ‘des’ change to?
DE - for example ‘j’ai reçu DE beaux cadeaux’
If a masculine adjective ends in a vowel, does its pronunciation change when an -e is aded to form the feminine?
No. Joli and joliE are both pronounced the same.
If a masculine adjective ends in a consonant that is noy pronounced, is the consonant pronounced when the -e is added in the feminine form?
Yes; so the ‘d’ is not pronounced in ‘chaud’ but it is pronounced in ‘chaudE’.
What is a nasal vowel?
Some masculine adjectives such as ‘bon’ or ‘italien’ end in a ‘nasal vowel’ and an ‘n’ where the vowel is pronounced through the nose but the n is not pronounced. When the consonant is doubled with an ‘e’ to form the feminine, the vowel becomes a normal one, and the ‘n’ is pronounced.
When an adjective describes a masculine and a feminine noun or pronoun, which plural form of the adjective is used?
The masculine.
If a masculine singular form of an adjective already ends in an -s or an -x, is an -s added in the plural form?
No
If the masculine singular form of an adjective ends in -eau or -al, how do the plural forms end?
-eaux and -aux respectively.
When is the -s or -x on an adjective coming before a noun pronounced?
When the noun starts with a vowel or (mostly) with an ‘h’. It is pronounced as a ‘z’. For example ‘de grandS hôtels’.
When an adjective describes a masculine and a feminine noun, which form of adjective is used?
Masculine plural - la maison et le jardin sont beaux.
Adjectives relating to what can sometimes be invariable?
Certain colours, for example: bleu marine (navy blue), orange, marron.
Il est AUSSI inquiet QUE moi.
He’s AS worried AS me.
Cette ville n’est pas AUSSI grande QUE Bordeaux.
This town isn’t as big as Bordeaux.
When a superlative adjective comes after the noun, what is repeated?
The definite article. For example ‘les mois LES moins agréables’ (‘the least pleasant months’).
When a superlative adjective comes before the noun, is the definite article repeated?
No. For example ‘les moins belles photos’ (‘the least attractive photos’.
In phrases like ‘the biggest hotel in’, what word is used for ‘in’?
De. For example, le plus grand hôtel DE Londres.
I’ve got a better idea.
J’ai une MEILLEURE idée.
Can ‘bien’, ‘mieux’ and ‘le mieux’ constitute both adjectives and adverbs?
Yes: il est bien, ce restaurant (adjective - this restaurant is good); elle va mieux aujourd’hui (adverb - she’s better today).
What is a demonstrative adjective?
A word like this, that, these, and those which is used to point out a particular thing or person.
To emphasise the difference between a particular thing close to you and a particular thing further away, what can be added to the end of the relevant noun?
Cette valise-CI (for things that are closer) and cette personne-LÀ (for things that are further away).
Are possessive adjectives normally used with parts of the body?
No - j’ai mal a LA main (my hand hurts).
I’ve got other plans
J’ai D’AUTRES projets
I go every year
J’y vais CHAQUE année
I have same coat
J’ai le même manteau
He has some friends in Paris
Il a QUELQUES amis à Paris
There are a few bottles left
Il reste QUELQUES bouteilles
He works all the time
Il Travaille TOUT le temps
Every day
Tous les jours
Tous les deux jours
Every other day
I, you, he, her and they are what type of pronouns?
Personal pronouns - they can also be subject pronouns or object pronouns.
Mine and yours are what type of pronouns?
Possessive pronouns
Someone and nothing are what type of pronouns?
Indefinite pronouns - they refer to people or things in a general way without saying exactly who or what they are.
Who which and that are what sort of pronouns?
Relative pronouns which link two parts of a sentence together.
This and those are what sort of pronouns?
Demonstrative pronouns which point things or people out.
SE in se laver is what type of pronoun?
A reflexive pronoun forming part of a reflexive verb.
I’m just coming!
J’arrive!
Right, I’m off.
Bon, j’y vais.
You may come in.
Vous pouvez entrer.
Do past participles used with être in the perfect tense have to agree in the feminine and plural forms?
Yes.
He’s already left.
Il est déjà parti.
Does your dog bite?
Il mord, ton chien?
Take this chair. It’s more comfortable.
Prends cette chaise. Elle est plus confortable.
Shall we go?
On y va?
On vous demande au téléphone.
YOU’RE wanted on the phone.
On m’a dit que tu étais malade.
THEY told me you were ill.
On peut visiter le château en été.
YOU can visit the castle in the summer.
He writes to us every day.
Il NOUS écrit tous les jours.
What did you buy him?
Qu’est-ce que tu LUI as acheté?
Can you get me a towel?
Tu M’apportes une serviette?
I’m writing to her
Je LUI écris
He phones them every evening
Il LEUR téléphone tous les soirs (use of indirect object pronoun in French as opposed to use of direct object pronoun in English).
I’ll wait for them outside the station
Je LES attends devant la gare (example of verb taking direct object pronoun)
Dominique’s writing you a letter
Dominique VOUS écrit une lettre
He doesn’t speak to us
Il ne NOUS parle pas
He won’t answer me
Il ne veut pas ME répondre
Give her that!
Donne-lui ÇA!
I often think of you (informal).
Je pense souvent à TOI.
Is this for me?
C’est pour MOI? (Use of emphatic pronoun after a preposition).
Come with me.
Venez avec MOI.
He needs us
Il a besoin de NOUS.
You have to have confidence in yourself.
Il faut avoir confiance en SOI.
Everyone went home.
Tout le monde est rentré chez SOI.
You look like your father, she doesn’t.
TOI, tu ressembles à ton père, mais ELLE non. (Use of emphatic pronoun for emphasis)
He’s getting on my nerves!
Il m’énerve, LUI! (Use of emphatic pronoun for emphasis)
Who broke the window? He did.
Qui a cassé la fenêtre? LUI. (Use of emphatic pronoun without a verb).
I’m tired. Me too.
Je suis fatigué. MOI aussi. (Use of emphatic pronoun without a verb).
Is that you, Simon?
C’est TOI, Simon? (Use of emphatic pronoun after c’est).
It’s them.
Ce sont EUX. (Use of emphatic pronoun after ce sont).
You’re younger than me.
Tu es plus jeune que MOI. (Use of emphatic pronoun in comparisons).
He’s smaller than you (informal) are.
Il est moins grand que TOI. (Use of emphatic pronoun in comparisons).
Mon père et ELLE ne s’entendent pas.
My father and her don’t get on. (Use of emphatic pronoun when the subject of the sentence is made up of two pronouns or of a pronoun and a noun).
I did it myself.
Je l’ai fait MOI-MÊME.
She chose it herself.
Elle l’a choisi ELLE-MÊME.
S’il pleut cela ne vaut pas la peine de partir
If it rains it’s not worth going
