French Grammar Book
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Adjectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Adverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Articles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Indefinite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Definite . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Partitive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
C’est vs. Il est. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Comparative & Superlative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Adverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Equality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Comparative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Superlative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Equality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Comparative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Superlative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Equality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Comparative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 16
Conditional (Present) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Conditional (Past) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Demonstrative Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Devoir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Faire Causative Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Future Perfect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Idiomatic Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Avoir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .25
Faire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Imperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Imperfect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Indirect Discourse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Infinitives Pereceded by Prepositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Interrogative Adjectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Interrogative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Qui/Que . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lequel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Jouer à / Jouer de. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Jours de la Semaine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Language & Nationality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Literary Tenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Passé Antérieur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Passé Simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Imperfect Subjunctive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Pluperfect Subjunctive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Months of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Negative Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Object Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Indirect Object Lui & Leur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Disjunctive (stressed) Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Y & En. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Direct Object Pronouns Le, La, and Les. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Ordinal Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Passé Compose. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Verbs conjugated with Avoir. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Verbs Conjugated with Etre. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Reflexive Verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Passive voice. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Past infinitive. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Past Subjunctive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Pluperfect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Possessive Adjectives. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Prepositions of Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Prepositions with Geographical Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62
Present Participle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Present tense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Quantitative Expressions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Question Formation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Reflexive / Reciprocal Verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Word order for Reflexive Verbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Relative Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Savoir & Connaitre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Seasons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Subject Pronouns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Vous vs. Tu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Subjunctive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Formation. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Usage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Emotion / Opinion / Judgement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Doubt / Possibility / Uncertainty. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Wishes / Desires. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Necessity / Obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Conjunctions . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Conversational Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Official Time. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Venir De + Infinitive: The Immediate past. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
ADJECTIVES
A. Formation of Feminine Form- in most cases the feminine form of the adjective
is formed by adding -e. but there are exceptions.
Irregular Forms of Adjectives
ADJ. END INGS
MASCULINE
FEMININE
ENGLISH
EQUIV.
-C
-CHE
blanc
blanche
white
-C
-QUE
public
publique
public
-ER
ÈRE
premier
première
first
-ET
ÈTE
inquiet
inquiète
nervous
-EUR
EURE
supérieur
supérieure
superieur
-EUR
EUSE
menteur
menteuse
liar
-EUR
RICE
acteur
actrice
actor
-ET
ETTE
muet
muette
silent
-IF
-IVE
actif
naïf
sportif
active
naïve
sportive
active
naive
athletic
-N
-NNE
bon
mignon
bonne
maignonne
good
cute
-L
-LLE
gentil
intellectuel
personnel
gentille
intellectuelle
personnelle
nice
intellectual
personal
-EUX
-EUSE
généreux
heureux
sérieux
généreuse
heureuse
sérieuse
generous
happy
serious
1
SPECIAL CASES
MASCULINE
•beau
*bel
•doux
•faux
•favori
•frais
•long
•nouveau
*nouvel
•sec
•vieux
*vieil
FEMININE
ENGLISH EQUIV.
belle
beautiful
douce
fausse
favorite
fraîche
longue
nouvelle
soft
faise
favorite
fresh
long
new
sèche
vieille
dry
old
*NOTE: Special forms of these adjectives are used before a masculine singular
noun beginning with a vowel or mute h.
un bel homme
un nouvel ètudiant
un vieil ami
B. PLURAL FORMATION- Adjectives with a regular plural form also add -s to the
masculine of feminine singular.
REGULAR PLURAL of ADJECTIVES
GENDER
SINGULAR
PLURAL
Masculine
grand
intelligent
sympathique
grands
intelligents
sympathiques
Feminine
petite
blonde
agéable
petites
blondes
agéables
NOTE: An adjective that modifies both a masculine and a feminine noun at the
same time takes the masculine plural form
2
Nous cherchons une femmer et un homme intelligents.
1. Adjectives ending in –s or –x in the masculine singular show no change in
the masculine plural form. Feminine forms, however, add –s:
un garçon français
un homme heureux
des garcon français
des hommes heureux
une jeune fille français
une femme heureuse
de jeunes filles françaises
des femmes heureuses
2. Adjectives ending –u in the masculine singular add –x to form plural
un beau garçon
un nouveau tableau
des beaux garcon
des nouveaux hommes
BUT
une belle maison
une nouvelle voiture
de belle maisons
des nouvelles voitures
NOTE: The indefinite article des should change de when followed by a plural adjective +
plural noun
de bons amis
de jolies femmes
However, the above usage is current undergoing change, and des is used in current
conversational French.
J’ai des bons amis.
EXCEPTIONS
3. Adjectives depicting qualified colors do NOT agree with the nouns they modify
des cheveux châtain foncé (dark brown)
des cheveux châtain clair (light brown)
4. Adjectives of color (orange, citron, crème, marron, etc) that are nouns do NOT
agree with the nouns they modify
des rideaux crème
C. POSITION OF ADJECTIVES
1. Adjectives usually follow the nouns they modify, which is the opposite of English
usuage.
un homme amusant
trios copains agréables
une femme élégante
a funny man
three nice friends
an elegant woman
3
2. There are a few adjectives that are exceptions to this rule as they precede the noun.
beau
handsome/beautiful
bon/mauvais
good/bad
grand/petit
big ,tall/small ,little,short
jeune/vieux
young/old
nouveau
new
joli
pretty
C. The following adjective change their meaning according to their pleasure:
ancien
mon ancient professeur
my former professor
un livre ancient
an ancient / old book
certain
un certain homme
a certain, particular man
une victoire certaine
a sure win
cher
mes chers collègues
me dear colleagues
des machines chères
expensive machines
dernier
la dernière année
the final year (in a series)
l’ année dernière
the last, preceding year
grand
un grand homme
a great man
un homme grand
a big /tall man
même
la même idée
the same idea
l’ idée meme
the very idea
pauvre
la pauvre famille
poor, unfortunate family
la famille pauvre
poor, penniless family
propre
ma propre chamber
my own room
une chamber propre
a clean room
4
prochain
seul
La prochaine fois
Next time (in a series)
Le seul homme
The only man
La semaine prochaine
Next week (one coming)
Un homme seul
a solitary man
Adverbs
A. FORMATION- Adverbs are generally formed by adding –ment to the feminine
form of the adjective. The –ment ending is equivalent to the –ly adverb ending in
English.
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
TRANSLATION
Lent(e)
Lentement
Slowly
Sincere
Sincerement
Sincerely
Ouvert(e)
Ouvertement
Openly
Attentive(-ve)
Attentivement
Attentively
Heureux(-se)
Heureusement
fortunately
For the adjectives that end in –ant or –ent, drop the –nt and add –mment to creat the
adverb form
Independent independamment- independently
Intelligent intelligemment – intelligently
The following are some common adverbs that do NOT have the –ment ending.
Bien- well
Mal- badly
Tres- very
Bientot- soon
Souvent- often
Trop- too much/ many
Déjà- already
Toujours- always
Vite- quickly
Encore- still, yet
B. POSITION- The normal position for adverbs in simple tenses is directly after the
conjugated verb.
Il etudie attentivement
He studies attentively.
Elles jouent bien au tennis
They play tennis well.
5
In compound tenses, such as the passé compose, the longer adverbs ending in
-ment normally follow the past participle. Short adverbs, suc has those above, follow
the conjugated auxiliary verb and precede the past participle.
Il a etudie attentivement.
Elle ont bien travaille.
He studied attentively.
They worked well.
Articles
A. INDEFINITE ARTICLES- All nouns in French are either masculine or
feminine are usually preceded by a marker that indicates the gender. One type
of gender marker is the indefinite article UN/ UNE which is equivalent to the
English a/ an. The indefinite article simply states the existence of a person,
thing, or concept; it does not specify any particular one. The plural of UN/
UNE is DES (=some)
Un homme
Un ami
Une soeur
Une jeune fille
Des hommes
Des amis
Des soeurs
Des jeunes filles
1. In most cases, UN/ UNE/ DES becomes DE (D’ before nouns beginning with
a vowel) after a verb used in the negative
-Tu cherches un camarade de chambre? Are you looking for a roommate?
-Non, je ne cherche pas de camarade de chambre. No, I’m not looking for a
roommate.
NOTE: In negative sentences where the main verb is ETRE, the indefinite
articles UN/ UNE/ DES will not undergo any change.
Ce ne sont pas des livres.
These aren’t books.
Ce n’est pas un bon livre.
This isn’t a good book.
2. Nouns referring to males are generally masculine (un homme) and nouns
referring to females are generally feminine (une soeur)
-Some nouns have both masculine and feminine form: un ami/ une amie
- Other nouns, although they refer to both men & women have only one form:
un professeur.
B.
6
DEFiNITE ARTICLES
LE, LA, L’, LES
SIngular Forms
Plural Form
[masculine]
les [masculine/feminine plural]
[masculine/feminine nouns that being
with vowel sounds]
[feminine]
Uses of Definite Articles
-designates a noun in a general/generic/collective sense
-designates a noun in a specific sense
-designates an abstract concept
1. General/generic/collective sense- the broadest sense to the idea of
someone or something. Please note that in English, no article is used in this
context.
Anne aime le tennis.
Anne like tennis.
[This implies that Anne like tennis in general]
Michel n’aime pas la bière.
Michel doesn’t like beer.
[This implies that dislikes all beer]
Le fromage français coûte cher
aux Etats-Unis.
French cheese costs a lot in the
USA.
[This implies all French cheese in general is
expensive]
NOTE: The definite article is used often after the verbs AIMER, DETESTER, and
PREFERER to express a generalized sense of like, dislike, or preference.
-Aimez-vous le vin?
-Non, je n’aime pas le vin, mas j’aime
la bière.
Do you like wine?
No, I don’t like wine but I like beer.
2. Specific Sense- Please note that in English, the article is also used in this
context.
7
Voici les clés.
Here are the keys
[This refers to specific keys that have
already been mentioned]
Où est l'Hôtel Jean-Bart?
Where is the Jean Bart hotel?
[This refers to a specific hotel, the JeanBart Hotel]
3. Abstract Sense: used to express abstract concept where the article is
normally omitted in English
La liberté est importante.
Freedom is important.
[The concept of Freedom]
Elle étudie la psychologie.
She is studying psychology.
[psychology as science/its concepts]
1. Other Uses of of the Definite Article
a) The definite article is used in conjunction with the preposition de to indicate
possession.
FORMATION
le/la/l’/les + the possessee + de possessor
l’ami de Vincent
les livres d’Isabelle
Vincent’s friend
Isabelle’s books
b) The definite article is used before the names of languages, except after the
preposition en and after the verb parler
French is interesting.
The film is in Italian.
Le français est très intéressant.
Le film est en italien.
Suzanne parle français mais elle ne Susan speaks French, but she doesn’t
speak Spanish.
parle pas espagnol.
NOTE: When the verb PARLER is modified by adverb the definite article is
optional.
Sophie speaks French well.
Sophie parle bien le français.
c) The definite article indicates the idea per when used before units of
measure.
8
C’est 5F...le kilo
le litre
la livre
la bouteille
(per kilo)
(per liter)
(per book)
(per bottle)
d) When the definite article is placed before the days of the week, it indicated
the idea of a repeated occurrence (ever____or on_____s). The days of the
week are all masculine and are not capitalized in French.
lundi
mardi
mecredi
jeudi
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
vendredi
samedi
dimanche
Friday
Saurday
Sunday
She studies on Sundays.
He doesn’t work on Saturdays.
I go out every Saturday.
Elle étudie le dimanche.
Il ne travaille pas le samedi.
Je sors le samedi.
NOTE: When no article is used with the days of the week, this indicates a one
time occurrence and does not indicate a habitual occurrence.
Qu’est-ce que vous faites samedi?
What are you doing Saturady?
e) The definite article is generally used with the parts of the body.
-Qu’est-ce que tu as?
-Oh, j’ai mal à la tête.
What’s the matter with you?
I have a headache.
-Est-ce qu’il a les cheveux blonds?
- Non, il a les cheveux noirs.
Does he have blond hair?
No, he has black hair.
-Le pauvre Paul: Il a mal au dos.
Poor Paul! His back hurts.
*NOTE: Unlike English, in French, the possessive adjectives (my, your,
his/her,our,their) are never used with parts of the body, but instead, the definite
articles are used because the nature of the sentences itself clearly indicates
possession.
**NOTE: When the part of the body is modified by an adjective that precedes the
noun, however, the indefinite article is used instead.
9
CONTRACTIONS WITH THE DEFINITE ARTICLE
1. À + Definite Article
DEFINITE ARTICLE CONTRACTIONS with PREPOSITIONS À
à + le
au
à + la
à la
à + l’
à l’
à + les
aux
Tu parle au père de Paul.
Je vais à la campagne.
Il parle à l’oncle de Frédéric.
Elle donne du vin aux parents.
You are talking to Paul’s father.
I’m going to the country.
He’s talking to Frederic’s uncle.
She’s giving some wine to the parents.
2. DE + Definite Article
Definite Article Contractions with Prep. DE
de + le
du
de + la
de la
de +l’
de l’
de + les
des
Nous parlons du frère de Thomas.
We’re talking about Thomas’s brother.
Tu parles de la belle-mère de Jean.
Are you talking about Jean’s mother in law?
Vous parlex de l’enfant de Phillippe.
You’re talking about Phillippe’s child.
Les amis des garçons sont pénibles.
The boy’s friends are annoying.
C. PARTITIVE
1. Distinctive Features
- The partitive is used to express the idea of a certain quantity or portions
of something , but not the whole thing
Equivalent to some or any (=a part of) in English that can be used
10
- Equivalent to some or any (=a part of) in English that can be used both
with concrete or abstract nouns
- In English, the partitive article is often omitted, but in French it must
always be use before a noun whenever the idea of some or any is
implied
2. FORMATION
LE PARTITIVE
Masculine
Singular
du
Feminine
Singular
de la
Est-ce que tu veux du vin?
Non, je vais acheter de la bière.
Elle a de l’argent?
Oui, et elle achète des petits pois.
M or F before a
vowel or aspirate H
de l’
M/F plural
des
Do you want wine?
No, I’m going to buy some beer.
Does she have any money?
Yes, and she’s buying some peace.
*NOTE: After a negative
construction, the partitive articles
du, de la, de l’, and des change to
de or d’ regardless of the gender or
number of the noun except after the
verb ETRE. The English
equivalence to the partitive in the
negative is no or any. Il n’y a pas
de pain aujord’hui.
10, cont
There is no bread today.
There isn’t any bread today.
Elle n’a pas acheté de croissants.
She didn’t buy any croissants.
Vous ne prenez pas de salade?
You’re not having any salad?
BUT
Ce n’est pas du vin américain.
This isn’t american wine.
NOTE: Remember that un/une means a/an and is used before singular,
countable, nonspecified noun. Normally, is a/an is in the the English sentence,
that is you cue to use un/une in French. The partitives du, de la, de l’, and des,
on the other hand, mean some/any (part of) a whole quantity or of a noun that is
not countable. Remember that both the indefinite and partitive articles change to
de after a negative construction.
-Paul, tu prends une bière ou du vin?
Paul, are you having a beer or some wine?
-Moi, je prends une bière, merci.
I’m having a beer, thanks.
Je ne prends pas de vin.
I’m not having any wine.
-Oui, je prends du vin. Je ne prends pas de bière.
Yes, I’m having some wine. I’m not having a beer.
Some nouns, however, can be modified by either the indefinite article: thé,
café, Coca, bière, Orangina, etc... In this case, the indefinite article un/une
means a whole measure of, while the partitive articles mean part of a whole
quantity.
-Qu’est-ce que tu prends comme
boisson, Georges?
What are you having to drink, Georges?
-Oh, je prends du Coca.
Oh, I’m having (some) Coke.
(=a glass of Coke, ie: part of a bottle)
OR
Oh, I’m having a bottle of Coke.
-Oh, je prends un Coca.
C’EST VS. IL EST
11
Both Il (ils, elle, elles) and Ce can mean he, she, it, or that as the subject of the
verb ETRE, but these pronouns are not interchangeable. There are specific
grammatical rules that require choosing between Il (ils, elle, elles) and Ce.
- Generally, if the word following ETRE could itself function as the subject of
a verb, you use CE.
- If the word following the ETRE cannot be the subject of a verb, you must
use the appropriate personal pronoun il, elle, ils, elles.
A. CE + ETRE
1. Proper Noun
C’est Jeanne.
2. Disjunctive Pronoun
C’est elle.
Ce sont elles.
3. Noun
C’est une calculatrice?
-Non, ce n’est pas une calculatrice. C’est
un ordinateur.
4. Modified noun of
profession, nationality,
religion
C’est un bon profeseur.
5. Masculine adjective
referring to a complete idea
-Tu travailles dans un restaurant français?
-Oui, c’est intéressant.
B. IL/ ELLE/ ILS/ ELLES + ETRE
1. Adjective referring to
specific people or things
Elle est belle.
2. Prepositional Phrase
Elle est dans un café.
Ils sont à Paris.
3. Unmodified noun of
profession, nationality, and
religion
Elle est professor.
NOTEL: When starting a noun profession, nationality, or religion, both C’EST and
IL EST can be used if the noun is unmodified. In such a case, when you use
C’EST retain the article; after IL EST omit it. When the noun is modified by an
adjective, you must use C’EST.
COMPARATIVE and SUPERLATIVE
A. ADVERBS
1. Equality
12
COMPARISONS OF EQUALITY w/ ADVERBS
AUSSI + adverb + QUE
as....as
Il danse aussi bien que son frère.
He dances as well as his brother.
Sophie s’habille aussi élégamment que sa mère.
Sophie dresses as elegantly as her mother.
2. COMPARATIVE
COMPARATIVE OF ADVERBS
PLUS + adverb+ QUE
more…than (…-er)
MOINS +adverb+QUE
less…than (…-er)
MIEUX + QUE
better than
Il parle plus lentement que Marie.
(He speaks slower than Marie.)
Elles travaillent moins vite que leurs amis.
(They work less than their friends.)
**NOTE: The adverb BIEN (well) is irregular. The comparative form is
MIEUX (better). (Plus bien or plus mieux is NOT acceptable in French.)
Vous chantez bien
Vous chantez mieux que Jean
You sing well.
You sing better than Jean.
3. SUPERLATIVE
SUPERLATIVE OF ADVERBS
LE + PLUS + adverb + de the most …in/of
LE + MOINS +adverb+ de the least …in/of
LE MIEUX + de
the best of/in
(…-er)
(…-er)
Il parle le plus vite de la classe.
He speaks the fastest in the class.
Elles travaillent le moins attentivement de tous les étudiants.
They work the least attentively of all the students.
**NOTE: The adverb bien (well) is irregular: the superlative form is LE MIEUX
(the best). (le plus bien / le plus mieux is NOT acceptable in French.)
12, cont
Vous chantez le mieux du groupe.
(You sing the best of the group.)
B. ADJECTIVES – remember that the adjective must agree in gender & in number with the noun
it modifies.
13
1. EQUALITY
COMPARISONS OF EQUALITY WITH ADJECTIVES
AUSSI + adjective + QUE
as…as
Ma maison est aussi grande que ton appartement.
My house is as big as your
apartment.
Ma mère est aussi âgée que mon père.
My mother is as old as my
father.
**NOTE : The adjective agrees in gender & in number with first noun & NOT the noun
that follows QUE.
2. COMPARATIVE
COMPARATIVE WITH ADJECTIVES
PLUS + adjective + QUE
more…than
(…-er)
MOINS +adjective + QUE less…than
(…-er)
MEILLEUR(E)(S) +QUE
better than
Ma maison est plus grande que ton appartment.
My house is bigger
than your apartment.
Ma mère est moins âgée que mon père.
My monther is younger
than my father.
**NOTE: The adjective BON (good) is irregular: the comparative form is
MEILLEUR(E)(S). (plus bon/ plus meilleur(e)(s) is NOT acceptable in French.)
MEILLEUR(E)(S) + QUE = better than
Ma note en français est meilleure que ta note.
My French grade is better than yours.
3. Superlatives will always precede the adjective
whether the adjective precedes or
14
follows the noun
Superlatives With Adjectives
Le/La/L’/Les + PLUS + Adjective + the most …. in/of (….-est)
DE
Le/La/L’/Les + MOINS +adjective
the least…. in/of (-est)
+DE
Marie est la plus jolie fille de la famille.
Son frère est le moins grand de tous.
Marie is the prettiest girl in
the family.
Her brother is the shortest of all.
BUT
*Il a les cassettes les plus interessantes He has the most interesting cassettes of
du groupe.
the group.
*Voila ma cassette la plus chere.
Here’s my most expensive cassette
*NOTE: To form the superlative of adjectives that follow the
noun, two markets are used. Place either a definite article or
possessive adjective before the noun. And then place PLUS or
MOINS before the adjective
**NOTE: The adjective bon is irregular: the superlative form is
le/la/l’/les MEILLEUR(E)(S).(Le/la/les plusbon(ne)(s)/le/la/les
plus meilleur(e)(s) is NOT acceptable in French)
Voila les meilleurs disques de ma collection.
C.
Nouns
1.
Equality
Equality Of Nouns
AUTANT DE + noun + Que
as much / many….as
(w/o article)
J’ai autant de disques que mon ami. I have as many records as my friend.
2. Comparative
15
Comparative Of Nouns
PLUS DE + noun + QUE (w/o article) more than…..
MOINS DE + noun + QUE (w/o
less/ fewer….than
article)
Philippe a moins de disques que Georges.
Phillipe has fewer records
than George.
J’ai plus de disques que Georges.
I have more records than
George
CONDITIONAL (Present)
A. FORMATION- ‘The’ is often equivalent to the English would + verb. For most
verbs, the stem of the conditional is the infinitive except for –RE verbs which
drop the final –E.
Infinite / Irregular stem + Imperfect Endings
1.
Stems
a. REGULAR
PARLER
ETUDIER
FINIR
SORTIR
ATTENDRE
DIRE
ECRIRE
PARLERETUDIERFINIRSORTIRATTENDRDIRECRIR-
b. SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR- spelling changes that occur in the present
tense of certain –ER verbs appear throughout the conditional.
e
y
Ennuyer
Nettoyer
essayer
payer
i
enneiernettoieressaierpaier-
Acheter
Se lever
AcheterSe lever-
16
employer
emploier-

l
s’appeler
ll
t
s’appeller-
jeter

tt
jetter
c. IRREGULAR STEM CHANGES
aller

ir-
avoir
devenir
envoyer
être




aurdeviendrenverrser-
faire
pouvoir
recevoir
savoir
venir
voir
vouloir


ferpourrrecevr-saur-viendr-verrvoudr--
d. STEM ENDINGS
-ais





-ions
-ais
-iez
-ait
-aient
B. USES of the Conditional
1. POLITENESS when making requests or seeking information.
Je voudrais parler au patron,
s’il vous plait.
I’d like to speak with the
boss please
Pourriez-vous me dire où se
trouve le bureau de
placement?
Auriez-vous le temps pour
une interview aujord’hui?
Could you tell me where the
employment agency is?
Would you have the times for
an interview today?
2. Indication of action at a future that is hypothetical; it may or may not
happen.
17
Il a dit qu’il irait chez le médecin à 3h
He said that he would go to the doctors
at 3o’clock.
3. SI clause used in conjunction with the imperfect. Imperfect will ALWAYS follow SI
& the conditional will be in the other clause. Indicates what WOULD happen
(conditional) IF certain conditions were met.
Si j’ étais infirmiére, je travaillerais
dans le cabinet d’un médecin.
If I were a nurse, I would work at a
doctor’s office.
17, cont
CONDITIONAL (PAST)
FORMATION- To form the past conditional in French, the auxiliary verb (AVOIR
or ETRE) in the present conditional is followed by the past participle of the main
verb.
Je serais arrivé(e)...
Nous aurons fini...
Tu lui aurais parlé...
Vous vous seriez fâché...
USAGE- expressed what would have happened if another event had taken pace
or if certain conditions had been present. Thus, it is commonly used in
experiences of regret and reproach.
1. Ways of expressing regret and reproach in English are could have or
should have.
POUVOIR in past conditonal + infinitive = could have
DEVOIR in past conditonal + infinitive = should have
You could have called me!
Tu aurais pu me téléphoner!
Tu as raison. J’aurais dû te téléphoner. You’re right. I should have called
you.
2. SI CLAUSES- the past conditional most often appears in sentences in
which the verb in the SI CLAUSES is in the PLUPERFECT
SI + PLUPERFECT, PASTCONDITIONAL
Si tu me l’avais dit, j’aurais pu appoter tous les outils nécessaires pour
réparer ta voiture.
Tu n’aurais pas eu à faire venir un mécanicien si tu m’avais parlé de
tes difficultés.
NOTE: Either the present or past conditional must be used following the
expression au cas oû
Au cas oû tu aurais encore des problèmes, tu pourrais me donner un
coup de fils.
In case you have further problems, you could give me a call.
Au cas oû le mécanicien n’aurait pas pu réparer ta voiture, donne-moi
un coup.
In case your mechanic isn’t able to come repair your call, give me a call.
18
DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES
This/That/These
Masculine singular
Ce
Ce livre
This, that
Masculine singular (before a vowel)
Cet
cet homme
This, that
Feminine Singular
Cette Cette femme
M&F Plurel
Ces
This, that
Ces tentes
These, those
Ce garçon va faire du Camping
This boy is going to go camping.
Cet homme va avec le garcon
This man is going to go with the boy.
Cette femme n’aime pas le camping This woman doesn’t like camping
Ces sacs de couchage sont confortables
These sleeping bags are
comfortable.
These tents aren’t big.
Ces tentes ne sont pas grandes
The distinction between this and that or these and those is not made as frequently
in French as in English. When the need arises to make this distinction for clarity,
emphasis, or comparison. -ci (=this) is added immediately after one noun and -la (=that)
after the other.
-Quel maillot vas-Lu acheter?
Which bathing suit are you going to buy?
-Je vais acheter ce maillot.
l'm going to buy this / that bathing suit.
-Moi, je vais acheter ce maillot-ci, pas ce maillot-là.
I'm going to buy this bathing suit, not that bathing suit.
DEVOIR
The present and the passé composé of DEVOIR have several meanings, depending on the
context of the sentence. The following illustrate the four basic meanings of DEVOIR:
1. [present tense / DEVOIR + Direct object]
to owe (money & objects)
2. [present tense / DEVOIR + infinitive]
have to, must
3. (passé composé]
had to, must have
4. [imparfait]
was supposed to
5 [conditional]
should
19
DEVOIR
je
dois (P)
Tu
Nous
devons (P)
ai du (PC)
avons du (PC)
devais (I)
devions (I)
devrais (C)
devrions (C)
dois (P)
Vous
devez (P)
as du (PC)
avez du (PC)
devais (I)
deviez (I)
devrais (C)
devriez (C)
il / elle / on
ils/ elles
doit (P)
doivent (P)
a du (PC)
ont du (PC)
devait (I)
devaient (I)
devrait (C)
devraient (C)
Past Participle: du
Auxiliary in P.C. - Avoir
Tu dois vingt francs à ta soeur.
You owe twenty francs to your sister
Nous devons rentrer ce soir.
We have to go home tonight.
lls ont dû aller en ville.
They had to go into town.
Il doit être malade ou il a dû oublier.
He must be sick or he must have forgotten.
Il devait venir hier soir.
He was supposed to come last night.
Vous devriez faire vos devoirs.
You should do your homework.
FAIRE CAUSATIVE CONSTRUCTION
The causative FAIRE construction is used to express the idea of having something done,
making someone do something, or causing something to be done
A. FORMULATION
SUBJECT + FAIRE(Conjugated)+ INFINITIVE+ DIRECTOBJECT(Subject of Inf.)
20
J'ai fait venir le père à la réunion.
Il fait construire une maison.
Nous faisons manger le chat.
B) When there are two objects of the infinitive, the indirect object always refers
to the person or thing that is completing the action (subject of the infinitive) and
the direct object refers to the object that receives the action of the infinitive.
SUBJ + FAIRE (conjugated) + INFINITVE + DO +
à + IO
Il fera boire un peu de vin à son enfant.
He will make his child drink a little wine.
Son dernier bouquin a fait gagner beaucoup d'argent à Jean-Jaques.
His last book earned Jean-Jaques a lot of money.
Elle a fait visiter la ferme à ses parents.
She had her parents visit the farm.
Tu vas faire perdre son poste à ton copain.
You are going to make your friend lose his job.
C) When the direct & indirect objects are in the form of object pronouns, they
precede the verb FAIRE and NOT the infinitive.
SUBJECT

OBJECT
PRONOUN
+
FAIRE
(conjugated)
+
INFINITVE
Il la fait construire.
He is having it built.
Il lui en fera boire un peu.
He will make him/her drink a little of it.
Elle la leur a fait visiter.
She had them visit it.
Tu vas le lui faire prendre.
You are going to make him lose it.
B. SE FAIRE + INFINITIVE – means to have I get something done to oneself.
Thus, the subject is not performing the action, but is having the action done by
someone or something else.
21
Je me fais couper les cheveux.
Elle se fait bronzer à la plage.
I'm getting a haircut.
She is getting a tan at the beach.
21, cont
FUTURE
A. IMMEDIATE FUTURE – It is possible to express a future idea by using the
Immediate future (used to express a future idea that is in the not-too distant
future.)
1. equivalent in English: to be going + 2nd verb in the infinitive
I'm going to go to the concert.
2. formed by: conjugated form of ALLER + 2nd verb in the infinitive
Je vais aller au cinéma
I’m going to the movies.
NOUS ALLONS FAIRE UN TOUR EN
VOITURE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR A RIDE.
QU'EST-QUE VOUS ALLEZ FAIRE CE
SOIR?
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
TONIGHT?
3. IN THE NEGATIVE, NE...PAS IS PLACED AROUND THE CONJUGATED
FORM OF ALLER.
MATHIDE NE VA PAS QUITTER
LA MAISON.
B.
MATHIDLE ISN'T GOING TO
LEAVE THE HOUSE.
REGULAR FUTURE
A. FORMATION – THE IS OFTEN EQUIVALENT TO THE ENGLISH WILL +
VERB. FOR MOST VERBS, THE STEM OF THE REGULAR FUTURE IS THE
INFINITIVE EXCEPT FOR THE -RE VERBS WHICH DROP THE FINAL -E.
INFINITIVE / IRREGULAR STEM + FUTURE ENDINGS
A.
STEMS
REGULAR
PARLER
PARLER
ETUDIER
ETUDIER
FINIR
FINIR
22
SORTIR
SORTIR
ATTENDRE
ATTENDR
DIRE
DIR
ECRIRE
ECRIR
22, cont
SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR- spelling changes that occur in the present tense of certain
-ER verbs appear throughout the future.
yi
eè
acheter
se lever
ennuyer
nettoyer
essayer
payer
employer
ach èterse l èver-
l ll
s’appeler
t tt
s’appeller-
jeter
IRREGULAR STEM CHANGES

aller
d. STEM ENDINGS
-ai
jetter-
ir-












avoir
devenir
envoyer
être
faire
pouvoir
pouvois
recevoir
savoir
venir
voir
vouloir
ennuiernettoieressaierpaieremploier-
aurdeviendrenverrserferferpourrrecevr-saur-viendr-verrvoudr--
-ons
-as
-ez
-a
-ont
The future tense is used:
1. to express an action, event, or state that will occur in the future.
23
Il aura dix ans le mois prochain.
He will be ten years old next month.
2. after quand (when), lorsque (when), aussitôt que (as soon as), dès que (as soon as), and
après que (after) when expressing a future action
23, cont
Dès qu’elle aura son diploma,
Monique fera un aux Etais-Unis pour
perfectionner son anglais.
As soon as she has her diploma,
Monique will travel to the United
States to perfect her English
Quand elle nous rendra visite en juillet,
nous l’emmènerons à Chicago avec
nous.
When she visits us in July, we will take
her to Chicago with us. .
3. States the results of a SI clause in the present tense.
Si elle réussit à cet examen
compétitif, elle sera professeur
d’anglais et son employ sera
garanti.
If she passes this competitive
exam, she will be an English
professor and her job will be
guaranteed
Monique acceptera un poste à
Strasbourg si son mari y trouve
du travail.
Monique will accept a job in
Strasbourg if her husband finds a
job there. .
FUTURE PERFECT
A. FORMATION- The future perfect (futur antérieur) is formed with the future tense of
the auxiliary AVOIR or ETRE and the past participle of the main verb. Agreement rules,
word order, and negative/interrogative patterns are the same as for the passé compose.
Étudier
Arriver
Se Coucher
j’aurai étudié
je serai arrivée(e)
je me suis couché(e)
tu auras étudié
tu seras arrivée(e)
tu te seras couché(s)
il/elle/on aura étudié
nous aurons étudié
il/elle/on on
arrivé
arrivée
arrivé
nous serons arrivé(e)(s)
il/elle/on
couché
couchée
couché
nous nous couché(e)(s)
vous aurez étudié
vous serez arrivé(e)(s)
ils/elles auront étudié
ils/elles seront
arrivés
arrivées
vous vous serez
couché(e)(s)
ils/elles se sont
couches
couchées
B. USAGE- the future perfect is used to express an action that will have taken place
before another action in the future. It expresses the English will have + past particle
En l’an 2010, tout aura change.
By the year 2010, everything will have changed.
24
1. Use the future perfect with quand, lorsque, aussitôt que, dès que, and après que if that
action will have taken place before another future action.
Ex. 1 Dès qu’il auro trouvé un emploi, il achètera une voiture.
(As soon as he has found (will have found) a job, he will buy a car.)
Ex.2 Partons aussitôt qu’il aura appelé.
(Let’s leave as soon as he has called (will have called).)
2. At times, it is up to the speaker to decide whether to use the simple future or the future
perfect after one of the above conjuctions. When both clauses are in the simple future, it
is implied that both action took place at the same time.
Ex.1 Aussitôt qu’il achètera sa nouvelle voiture, il nous emmènera fair un tour.
(As soon as he buys his new car, he will take us for a ride.)
Ex.2 Aussitôt qu’il aura acheté sa nouvelle voiture, il nous emmènera fair un
tour.
(As soon as he has bought (will have bought) his new car, he will take us for a ride.)
3. After the conjuction après que, the future perfect is used when that action takes place
in the future.
Ex.1 Après que nous serons revenus, je te raconterai toutes nos aventures.
(After we (will) have returned, I will tell you about all our adventures.)
Si/ Conjunction clause
Present
Si
Quand
Lorsque
Dès que
Aussitôt que
Future
Après que
Future Perfect
Future Perfect
Main Clause
Present
Future
Imperative
Future
Imperative
Future perfect
Future
Imperative
Future
Imperative
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
A. AVOIR – The verb AVOIR is used in many common idiomatic expression. An
idiom is an expression that cannot be translated literally. Note that in many
AVOIR idioms, AVOIR has the meaning of the English verb TO BE rather than
TO HAVE
Avoir…ans
____besoin de
to be…years old
to need
25
____bon/mauvais caractère
____chaud
____envie de
____faim
____froid
____l’intention de
____mal à…
____peur (de)
____raison
____soif
____sommeil
____tort
EXAMPLES:
-C’est un beau garçon. Quel âge a-t-il?
-Il a onze ans.
to have a good/bad personality
to be hot
to feel like
to be hungry
to be cold
to intend to
to have a(n) … ache
to be afraid (of)
to be right
to be thirsty
to be sleepy
to be wrong
He’s a handsome boy. How old is he?
He’s eleven years old.
-Qu’est-ce tu prends quand tu as soif?
thirsty?
-D’habitude, je prends un grand verre d’eau.
What do you have when you’re
-J’ai envie d’aller à la boum, mais j’ai mal
aux pieds.
I feel like going to the party, but my
feet hurt.
-Tu as besoin de nouvelles chaussures!
You need new shoes!
B.
Usually I have a big glass of water.
FAIRE
1.
SPORTS- Faire is used in conjunction with sports activities
FAIRE + de + definite article + sport
Faire…
de l’athéthisme
de la natation
de l’aérobic
de la planche à voile
du baseball
de la plongée sous-marine
de basket-ball
du rugy
de la bicyclette
du ski (nautique)
du cyclisme
du surf
du foot
du tennis
du football américain
du volleyball
du hockey
du golf
du jogging
EXAMPLES
-Fais-tu du sport?
Do you play sports?
26
-Oui, mon amie et moi, nous
du tennis. Et toi?
-Moi, je fais de la planche à voile.
Yes, my friend and I play tennis. And
you?
I windsurf.
26, cont
2. WEATHER EXPRESSIONS
a. Il fait/ Il fait/ Il va faire
. . . . beau
It was nice out.
It was nice out
. . . . du vent
It was windy.
It was windy
. . . . du soleil
It was sunny.
It’s sunny
. . . . mauvais
It was bad outside.
It’s bad outside
. . . . chaud
It was hot outside.
It’s hot outside
. . . . froid
It was cold outside.
It’s cold outside
. . . . frais
It was cool outside.
It’s cool outside
It’s going to be nice
out.
It’s going to be
windy
It’s going to be
sunny
It’s going to be bad
outside
It’s going to be hot
outside
It’s going to be cold
outside
It’s going to be cool
outside
b. OTHER WEATHER EXPRESSIONS
Il a plu/ Il pleut/ Il va pleuvoir
Il a neigé/ Il neige/ Il va neiger
It rained
It snowed
Le ciel a été couvert (nuageux)
Le ciel est couvert (nuageux)
Il va y avoir des nauges
It was cloudy.
It’s cloudy.
It’s going to be
cloudy.
Il y a eu un orage
Il y a un orage
Il va y avoir un orage
There was a
thunderstorm.
There’s a
thunderstorm.
There’s going to
be a thunderstorm
It’s raining
It’s snowed
It’s going to rain
It’s going to snow
IMPERATIVE
Imperative forms of a verb are used to give orders or commands or to make requests
A.FORMATION- only exists in the TU/NOUS/VOUS forms
1. Drop the subject pronoun from the present tense of the verb
2. for all regular –er verbs and aller. With the TU form of the imperative the final
–s is dropped
3. The negative is formed by placing NE before the verb & PAS after the verb
PARLER
tu parles
Parle!
Speak!
Ne parle pas!
Don’t speak!
vouz parlez
Parlez!
Speak!
Ne parlez pas!
Don’t speak!
nous parlons
Parlons!
Let’s speak!
Ne parlons pas! Let’s not speak!
27
FINIR
tu finis
vouz finissez
nous finissons
Finis!
Finissez!
Finissons!
Finish!
Finish!
Let’s finish!
Ne finis pas!
Ne finissez pas!
Ne finissons pas!
Don’t finish!
Don’t finish!
Let’s not finish!
Répondre
tu réponds
Réponds!
Answer!
Ne réponds pas!
Don’t answer!
vouz répondez
nous répondons
Répondez!
répondons!
Answer!
Let’s answer!
Ne répondez pas! Don’t answer!
Ne répond pas!
Let’s not answer!
B. Imperatives Followed by Object Pronouns
When a command form is accompanied by an object pronoun, the object pronoun
follows the affirmative command and is attached to it by a hyphen. In a negative
command, the object pronoun precedes the verb.
Regardez cette emission.
Regarze-la!
Ne la regardez pas!
Look at this program.
Look at it!
Don’t look at it!
Réponds au professeur.
Réonds-lui!
Ne lui réponds pas!
Answer the teacher.
Answer him/her!
Don’t answer him/her!
Nous le regardons souvent.
Regardons-le!
Ne le regardons pas!
We watch it often.
Let’s watch it!
Let’s not watch it!
NOTE –When the object pronoun ME follows the affirmative command, the stressed
form MOI must be used.
Donnez-moi du café s’il vous plait.
Ne me donnez pas de café,
donnez moi du thé.
Give me some coffee, please.
Don’t give me any coffee, give me some
tea
28
C. Imperatives of the Reflexive Verbs
To form the imperatice of reflexive verbs, you also begin with the appropriate
person (tu ,nous,or vous) of the present tense and remove the subject pronoun. In the
case of the reflexive verbs, however, the reflexive pronoun , like other object
pronouns, is placed AFTER the verb and is attached to it by the hyphen in affirmative
commands.
Vous vous amusez bien.
Amusez-bien vous!
You have a good time.
Have a goodtime!
Nous nous reposons.
Reposons-nous!
We are resting.
Let’s rest!
1. When TE follows the affirmative command form, the stressed form TOI is used.
Tu te lèves.
Lève-toi vite!
You get up.
Get up quickly!
2. In a negative command, the reflexive pronoun precedes the verb
Don’t have too much fun!
Don’t get up!
Don’t rest now!
Ne vous amusez pas trop!
Ne te lève pas!
Ne nous reposons pas maintenant!
Object pronoun in AFFIRMATIVE Imperatives
-le
-la
-les
-me (moi)
-te (toi)
-lui
-leur
-nous
-vous
-y
-en
IMPERFECT
A. FORMATION of the imperfect- To form the imperfect tense of a verb, remove the
-ONS ending of the first person plural (NOUS form) of the present tense and add the
following endings.
-ais
-ions
-ais
-iez
-ait
-aient
29
VENDRE- tp sell
PARLER- to speak
je parlais
tu parlais
il/elle/on parlait
nous parlions
vous parliez
ils/elles parlaient
je vendais
tu vendais
il/elle/on vendait
nous vendions
vous vendiez
ils/elles vendaient
All verbs, even those that are irregular, form the imperfect tense in the regular fashion,
except for ETRE.
ETRE- to be
FINIR- to finish
j’ étais
tu étais
il/elle/on était
nous étions
vous étiez
ils/elles étaient
je finissais
tu finissais
il/elle/on finissait
nous finissions
vous finissiez
ils/elles finissaient
B. USES of the imperfect- When the imperfect tense is used, you mentally move back to
a specific point of reference in the PAST (generally) indicated by a verb in the passé
composé, as in a flashback. The imperfect is used to describe what was going on or how
things were at that given point in time. The verb in the passé composé is the primary
incident you are telling about; the imperfect helps establish the context in which this
incident occurred. You are not concerned with when the action of the verb in the
imperfect began or when it ended or even with its duration. It expresses simply how
things were at that time.
1. Habitual Actions that occurred an unspecified number of times often used with the
following adverbs:
d’habitude
souvent
fréquemment
toujours
habituellement
tous les jours
_____________________ ______ __________________
imparfait
présent
J’allais toujours au cours de maths le vendredi.
I always went to math class on Fridays.
D’habitude j’arrivais à l’heure.
Je faisais mes devoirs tous les jours.
Quand j’ étais jeune j’allais au cimena souvent.
Normally, I would arrive on time.
I used to do my homework everyday.
When I was young, I used to go to the movies often
30
2. Description, background, &circumstances where the reference point is in the past
(going back into time to describe)
_________________________________________________________
 imperfect 
présent
Vendredi dernier, il faisait chaud et beau.
Il y avait beaucoup d’ étudiants dans la salle.
Last Friday. It was hot and nice.
There were a lot of students in the room.
Le prof parlait.
Il était déjà trios heures.
Je n’écoutais pas le prof.
Mon ami faisait attention et prenait des notes.
The teacher was talking.
It was already three o’clock.
I wasn’t listening to the teacher.
My friend was paying attention and
taking notes
3. Conditions, sate of being, and feelings where the focus is on the condition, state, or
feeling itself with NO regards to the beginning or end. The following verbs often are used
to describe a physical or emotional state.
avoir
penser
étre
desirer
préférer
detester
aimer
croire
vouloir
______________________________________________________
 imperfect 
présent
J’avais mal à la tête.
J’ étais très fatigue.
Je ne comprenais plus le prof.
I had a headache.
I was very tired.
I couldn’t understand the teacher anymore.
J’avais envie de partir.
Les étudiants attendaient la
fin de la leçon avec impatience.
I wanted to leave.
The students were waiting impatiently
for the lesson to be over.
4. With SI when expressing a wish or desire that would happen in the present or
future. (Note that it is a wish or desire that is not probable to come true)
Si j’avais de l’argent!
S’il avait le temps!
If I has some money!
If he only had the time!
31
5. An ongoing action for which no beginning or end can be visualized in the past that
is interrupted by another in the past.
______________________________________________________
 imperfect 
présent
passé composée
Je regardais le film quand tout à coup j’ai eu faim.
I was watching a movie when all of a sudden I got hungry.
INDIRECT DISCOURSE
Indirect discourse is used to report both statements and questions. The following are
examples of the kinds of verbs that may introduce reported speech:
affirmer
annoncer
declarer
dire
expliquer
jurer
promettre
A. QUE/QU links the introductory verbs such as DIRE with a reported statement
whether it is affirmative or negative. Note that the original subject pronoun in the quoted
statement will change when it is reported to the introductory verb.
Elle dit: “Je ne vient pas ce soir.”
Elle dit QU’elle ne vient pas ce soir.
Ils disent: “Nous venons ce soir.”
Ils disent QU’ils viennent ce soir.
B. If the introductory verb is in the present tense, the tense of the verb(s) In the
reported statements doe NOT change.
32
Elles dissent: “Nous venons à la manif.”
Elles disent qu’elles viennent à la manif.”
present tense
Il dit: “Je n’ai pas promis de venire.”
Il dit qu’il n’a pas promis de venire.
passé composé
32, cont
C. If the introductory verb is in a past tense, the tense of the verb(s) in the reported
statement changes as follows.
Ella a dit: “Je viens ce soir.”
Elle a dit qu’elle venait ce soir.

present
imperfect
Ella a dit: Je vais venire ce soir.”
Elle a dit qu’elle venait ce soir.

immediate future
Il a dit: “Je n’ai pas promis de venire.”
imperfect
Il a dit qu’il n’avait pas promis de venire.

passé composé
J’ai dit: “J’avais trop de travail.”
pluperfect
J’ai dit que j’avais trop de travail.

imperfect
imperfect (no change)
D. When reporting yes/no questions, si/s’ in place of que/qu’
Elles demandent: “Vous venez se soir?
Il voulait savoir: “Elle arrive à l’heure?
Elles demandent si vous venez ce soir.
Il voulait savoir s’ elle arrivait à l’heure.
E. When reporting informational questions, retain only the interrogative pronouns. Do
not use est-ce que or inversion/
Il m’a demandé: “Quand est-ce que le roi est mort?”
Elle m’a demandé quand le roi était mort.
a. QUI-EST-CE QUI and QUI EST-CE QUE become QUI
Elle m’a demandé: “Qui est-ce qui est denvenu roi?”
Elle m’a demandé qui était devenu roi.
33
b. QU’EST-CE QUI becomes CE QUI
Ils ont demandé: “Qu’est-ce qui s’est passé ensuite?”
Ils ont demandé ce qui s’était passé ensuite.
c. QU’EST-CE QUE becomes CE QUE
Il a demandé: “Qu’est-ce que tu as dit?”
Il a demandé ce que j’avais dit.
33, cont
INFINITIVES PRECEDED BY PREOPPOSITIONS
À + INFINITVE
aider à
s’amuser à
apprendre à
s’attendre à
autoriser à
avoir à (to have to)
commener à
consenter à
continuer à
encourager à
enseigner à
s’habituer à
hesiter à
s’ intéresser à
inviter à
se mettre à
réussir à
tenir à
DE + INFINTIVE
s’agir de
s’arrêrer de
avoir besoin de
avoir envie de
avoir l’intention de
avoir peur de
choisir
décider de
se dépêcher de (to hurry)
empècher de (to prevent)
essayer de
finir de
oublier de
regretter de
À + PERSON
/
parler de
refuser de
remercier de
rèver de
se souvenir de
tâcher de (to try)
venir de (to have just)
DE + INFINTIVE
commander à quelqu’un de
conseiller à quelqu’un de
défendre à quelqu’un de
demander à quelqu’un de
reprocher à quelqu’un de
dire à quelqu’un de
écrire à quelqu’un de
permettre à quelqu’un de
promettre à quelqu’un de
suggérer à quelqu’un de
NO PREPOSITION
aimer
aller
compter
croire
desirer
detester
devoir
écouter
espérer
faire
falloir
penser
pouvoir
préférer
savoir
sembler
souhaiter
venir
voir
vouloir
34
SUBJECT + ETRE + ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITON + INFINITIVE
Most all subjects that precede ETRE will take DE
Je suis content de te voir
Il est difficile de comprendre le français.
BUT:
C’est is followed by À
C’est facile à comprendre.
INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVES
A. agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies
masculine singular
quel
QUEL (what, which)
feminine singular
masculine plural
quelle
quels
feminine plural
quelles
B. It occurs in the following positions:
1. Immediately before the noun modifies: QUEL + NOUN
Quelle église?
Quel livre est-ce que tu as?
Quels sports est-il aime?
Quelles bières préférez-vous?
What (which) church?
What (which) book do you have?
What (which) sports does he like?
What (which) beers do you prefer?
NOTE: When QUEL and the noun are followed by the passé compose. The past
participle must agree in gender and number with the noun.
Quels disques as-tu achetés?
Quelles jeunes filles est-ce que tu as invitées
2. Between the noun it modifies and the verb être when asking for identification in (3rd
person singular & plural ONLY)
QUEL+ ETRE + NOUN
Quelle est votre adresse?
Quels sont tes vins préféres?
What is your address?
What are your favorite wines?
35
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS
A. QUI/ QUE
Person
SUBJECT
DIRECT OBJECT
OBJECT OF
PREPOSITION
Qui
Qui est-ce qui
Qui
Qui est-ce que
prep. + qui
1. SUBJECT
a. PERSON
Qui va au cinéma?
Qui est-ce qui va au cinéma?
Thing
Qu’est-ce qui
Que (inversion)
Qu’est-ce que
prep. + quoi
Who’s going to the movies?
Eric’s going to the movies.
Eric va au cinéma.
b. THING
Qu’est-ce qui se passe?
2. DIRECT OBJECT
a. PERSON
Qui a-t-elle vu?
Qui est-ce qu’elle a vu?
Elle a vu son prof.
What’s happening?
Who did she see?
She saw her professor.
b. THING
Que fais-tu?
Qu’est-ce que tu fais?
What are you doing?
Je joue au tennis.
I’m playing tennis.
36
3. OBJECT OF PREPOSITION
a. PERSON
De qui parles-tu?
À qui pensez-vous?
Chez qui reste-t-il?
Who are you talking about?
Who are you thinking about?
Whose house is he staying at?
b. THING
De quoi a-t-elle besoin?
A quoi pensez-vous?
Avec quoi repares-tu la vioture?
What does she need?
What are you thinking about?
What are you repairing the car with?
B. LEQUEL- the pronoun form of quel (lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles) agree in
gender and number with the noun they replace and are the French equivalents of which
one/which ones. LEQUEL contrats with à and de in the same manner as the definite
article.
MASCULINE
FEMININE
lequel
auquel
duquel
lesquels
auxquels
desquels
laquelle
à laquelle
de laquelle
lesquelles
auxquelles
desquelles
SINGULAR
PLURAL
Regarde le garçon! –Lequelle
Watch the boy! Which one?
Lesquelles de ces patisseries est-ce que tu préféres?
Which ones of these pasteries do you prefer?
Je m’intéresse à plusieurs clubs sociaux de l‘université.
Moi, aussi! Auxquels est-ce que tu t’interésses?
J’étais en train de parler d’un film que j’ai vu récemment.
Ah, oui? Duquel parlais-tu?
37
C. OTHER INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS
A quelle heure
(when, at what time)
A quelle heure +
Inversion/ est-ce que
A quelle heure est-ce que ton train arrive?
(What time does your train arrive?)
A quelle heure arrive-t-il ce soir?
(What time is he arriving this evening)
Combien
(how much/ many)
Combien + inversion
Combien de + sing.
Noun = how much
Combine de + pl.
Noun = how many
Combien de + noun +
Est-ce que/ inversion
*A quelle heure arrive son avion?
(What time does his plane arrive?)
Combien coute-t-il?
(How much does it cost?)
*Combien coute ta robe?
(How much does your dress cost?)
Combien de billets est-ce que Paul
achete?
(How much money do you have?)
Combien d’argent as-tu?
(How much money do you have?)
Combien de billets a Paul?
(How many tickets does Paul have?)
Comment
(how)
Comment +
Est-ce que/ inversion
**Combien de personnes voyagent a
Paris?
(How many people are traveling to Paris?)
Comment est-ce que tu sais la reponse?
(How do you know the answer?)
Comment trouvez-vous la France?
(What do you think of France?)
Ou
(where)
Ou +
Est-ce que/ inversion
*Comment est le voyage?)
(How is the trip?)
Ou est-ce qu’il voyage?
(Where are you traveling?)
Ou allez-vous après Paris?
(Where are you going after Paris?)
*Ou est le guichet?
(Where is the ticket window?)
38
Pourquoi
(why)
Pour quoi +
Est-ce que/ inversion
Pourquoi est-ce qu’il va en France?
(Why is he going to France?)
Pourquoi va-t-elle en France?
(Why is she going to france?)
Pourquoi Paul va-t-il en France?
(Why is Paul going to France?)
Quand
(when)
Quand +
Est-ce que/ inversion
Quand est-ce que vous renevez de Paris?
(When do you come back from Paris?)
Quand reviens-tu de Paris?
(When do you come back from Paris?)
*Quand reviens ton frere?
(When is your brother coming back?)
*NOTE – With all of the interrogative expression except pourquoi, a noun subject may be
inverted after the verb to form the question IF THE NOUN IS THE LAST
WORD IN THE SENTENCE. Please notice that with inversion with nouns,
no hyphen is inserted.
**NOTE – When Combien de + noun is itself the subject of the sentence, est-ce que nor
inversion can be used because est-ce que is followed by the subject &
inversion inverts the subject.
JOUER A / JOUER DE
A. JOUER A is used to express the idea of playing SPORTS & GAMES
JOUER + a + definite article + Game or sport
Jouer:…… To play
(games)
(sports)
Au bridge
Aux cartes (f. pl)
Aux dames (f. pl)
Aux echecs (m. pl)
Au poker
bridge
cards
checkers
chess
poker
Veux-tu jouer au tennis avec moi?
Non merci. Je ne joue pas bien au tennis
Mais Joues-tu aux cartes avec moi?
a l’athletisme
au basket-ball
au cyclisme
au foot
au tennis
Do you want to play tennis with me?
No thanks. I don’t play tennis wel
But do you want to play cards with me?
B. JOUER DE is used to express the idea of playing MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
FAIRE + de + definite article + musical instrument
De la clarinette
du saxophone
De la guitare
du trombone
Du piano
de la trompette
39
Est-ce qu elle joue d’un instrument de musique?
instrument?
Oui, elle joue de la clarinette.
Does she play a musical
Yes, she plays the clarinet.
JOURS DE LA SEMAINE
lundi (Monday)
mardi (Tuesday)
mercredi
(Wednesday)
jeudi (Thursday
vendredi (Friday)
samedi (Saturday)
dimanche (Sunday)
A. The French consider the days of the week to begin on Monday and end of Sunday.
B. The names of the week are all masculine and never capitalized except if at the
beginning of the sentence.
C. They are never accompanied by a preposition
1. vendredi- Friday/ on Friday
2. Vendredi je suis sorti en boite.
On Friday, I went out to a
nightclub
D. The definite article le is only used with the days of the week when it indicates a
repeated
occurrence
1. le dimanche – every Sunday/ on Sundays
2. Le dimanche nous allons a l’eglise.
On Sundays, we go to church
LANGUAGE & NATIONALITY
Feminine Countries
Allemagne
France
Angleterre
Grece
Belgique
Inde
Chine
Italie
Espagne
Pologne
Russie
Masculine Countries
Bresil
Japon
Canada
Luxembourg
Danemark
Maroc
Etats-Unis
Portugal
Viet-nam
A. The following languages are the same in French as the masculine name of the
nationality
Un(e) Allemand(e) parle allemand
Un(e) Anglais(e) parle anglais
Un(e) Chinois(e) parle chinois
Un(e) Espagnol(e) parle espagnol
Un(e) Francais(e) parle francais
Un(e) Grec(que) parle grec
Un(e) Italien(ne) parle italien
Un(e) Russe parle russe
Un(e) Danois(e) parle danois
40
Un(e) Japonais(e) parle japonais
Un(e) Polonais(e) parle polonais
Un(e) Portugais(e) parle portugais
Un(e) Vietnamien(ne) parle vietnamien
NOTE: The name of the nationality (the person) is capitalized, but the
name of the language is not.
B. The following languages are different from the names of their nationality
Une(e) Australien(ne) parle anglais
Un(e) Belge parle francais ou flammand
Un(e) Indien(ne) parle hindi ou anglais
Un(e) Israelien(ne) parle hebreu
Un(e) Bresilien(ne) parle portugais
Un(e) Iranien(ne) parle persan
Un(e) Canandien(ne) parle francais ou anglais
Un(e) Luxembourgeois(e) parle francais
Un(e) Marocain(e) parle arabe ou francais
Un(e) Mexicain(e) parle espagnol
Un(e) Americain(e) parle anglais
LITERARY TENSES
A. Passe Anterieur
1. FORMATION – the passé anterieur is a compound tense, formed by
combining the passé simple of the auziliary verb AVOIR or ETRE with
the pas participle of the main verb.
AVOIR + past
participle
J’eus parle
Nous eumes parle
ETRE + past
participle
Je fus alle(e)
Nous fumes alle(e)s
Tu eus parle
Vous eutes parle
Tu fus alle(e)
Vous futes alle(e)(s)
Il
Elle eut parle
on
Ils
Elles eurent parle
Il
Ellie fut alle(e)
on
Ils
Elles furent alle(e)s
2. USAGE – the passé anterieur is a literary tense used to designate a past
action / event that occurred prior to another past action / even that is
usually expressed in the passé simple. It often appears the the
conjunctions QUAND, LORSQUE,
DES QUE, AUSSITOT QUE, and APRES QUE. There fore, the passé
anterieur is the literary equivalent to the pluperfect.
Des qu’un des souliers eut glisse, un nostalgique de l’ancien regime le sauva.
41
As soon as one of the shoes slipped out, a nostalgic adherent to the Old
Regime saved.
B. PASSE SIMPLE – the passé simple is used to narrate past events, replacing the
passé compose in formal, historical, or literary texts. Since it is not likely that
you will need to actively use this tense, you only need to learn to recognize and
understand the forms.
1. REGULAR VERBS use the infinitive minus the –ER, -IR, or –RE as the
stem, and add the following endings:
Regular –ER verbs (including ALLER)
Je parlai
Tu parlas
Il/elle/on parla
Nous parlames
Vous parlates
Ile/elles parlerent
Regular –IR verbs
Je finis
Tu finis
Il/elle/on finit
Nous finimes
Vous finites
Ils/elles finirent
Regular –RE verbs
Je dendis
Tu rendis
Il/elle/on rendit
Nous rendimes
Vous rendites
Ils/elles rendirent
42
2. IRREGULAR VERBS
a. Add the following endings ( the circumflex in the NOUS & VOUS forms are
placed above the last vowel of the stem).
je
-s
nous
-mes
tu
-s
vous
-tes
il/elle/on
-t
ils/elles
-rent
b. The following are stems to IRREGULAR verbs :
INFININTIVE
apercevoir
asseoir
atteindre
avoir
boire
conduire
convaincre
connaître
courir
craindre
croire
devenir
devoir
dire
écrire
étre
faillir
faire
falloir
fuir
lire
STEM
aperçuassiatteigneubuconduisiconvainquiconnucourucraignicrudevindudiécrivifufaillifiil faillut
fuilu-
INFININTIVE
mettre
mourir
naître
offrir
ouvrir
paraître
plaire
pleuvoir
pouvoir
prendre
recevoir
résoudre
rire
savoir
suivre
taire
valoir
venir
virvre
voir
voulour
43
STEM
mimourunaquioffriouvriparupluil plut
puprireçurésolurisusuivituvaluvinvécuvivoulu-
C. IMPREFECT SUBJUNCTIVE
1. FORMATION- The imprefect subjunctive is formed by dropping the final
letter of the JE form of the passé simple and adding the following endings
je
tu
il/ elle/on
-sse
-sses
-t
nous
vous
ils
-ssions
-ssiez
-ssent
2. USAGE- the imperfect subjunctive may be used in subordinate clauses when
the verb in the main clause is in the past tense or in the condtional. It corresponds in
meaning ro to the present subjunctive.
Je ne corvais pas qu’il vint.
I didn’t think he would come.
D. PLUPERFECT SUBJUNCTIVE
1. FORMATION- The pluperfect subjunctive is formed by combining the
imperfect subjunctive of the auxiliary AVOIR or ETRE with the same the past participle
of the main verb.
que j’eusse
que tu eusses
qu’il
qu’elle eût
qu’on
que nous eussions
+ past
participle
que je fusse
que tu fusses
qu’il
qu’elle fût
qu’on
que vous eussiez
qu’ils
qu’elles eussent
+ past
participle
que nous fussions
+ past
participle
44
que vous fussiez
qu’ils
qu’elles fussents
+ past
participle
2. USAGE- the pluperfect may replace the pluperfect or the past conditonal. It
maybe used in subordinate clauses for events that occurred proir ro rime of the
verb in the main clause. Like the imperfect subjunctif, it is used when the mainclause verb is in a past tense or in the conditional. Therefore, the pluperfect
subjunctive corresponds in meaning to the past subjunctive.
Je ne crovais pas qu’il fût venu.
I didn’t believe he had come.
MONTHS OF THE YEAR
Definite articles are not used with the months of the year. To say –in + the name of the
month, use either en or au mois de + the month. The months are not capitaliezed in
French.
janvier
février
mars
avril
mai
juin
January
February
March
April
May
June
Je pars en vancances au mois d’ août.
Les cours recommecent en septembre.
juillet
août
septembre
octobre
novembre
décembre
July
August
September
October
November
December
I’m leaving on vacation in August.
Classes begin in September.
45
NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS
ne...aucun(e)
no, not any, not a single (stronger than ne...pas)
*ne... guère
hardly
*ne...jamais
never
ne...ni...ni
neither...nor
ne...nulle part
nowhere
*ne...pas du tout
not at all
*ne...pas encore
not yet
*ne...pas non plus
not either
ne...personne
no noe, not anyone, nobody
*ne...plus
no longer, not any longer, no more
*ne...que
only
*ne...rien
nothing
A. PERSONNE, RIEN, and AUCUN(E) can be used as subjects, in which case they are
placed in the normal subject psotion followed by NE. (PAS is never used with these
expressions).
Le weekend passé, personne ne m’a téléphoné.
Rien ne s’est passé.
Mes Amis ? Aucun ne m’a rendu visite.
B. PERSONNE & AUCUN follow the past participle rather than auxiliary verb when
acting as the object of the verb. The negative adverb NULLE PART also follows that past
participle in the past tense.
Je n’ai vu personne.
Mes amis. Tu n’as vu aucun ?
Il n’est allé nulle part.
46
C. AUCUN(E) frequently acts as an adjective & can modify subjects or objects and thus
is placed before the noun it modifies with no articles.
Aucune letter ne m’est arrivée.
Je n’ai eu aucun visiteur.
46, cont
D. With NE...NI...NI, the partitive articles are dropped altogether. As with most negative
expressions, the definite article is retained.
Je n’ai vu ni ami ni étrangers.
Je n’ai parlé ni avec le factuer ni avec la concierge.
E. NE...QUE synonymous with seulement, is a restrictive expression rather than a true
negative. Thus all articles are retained after it. QUE is placed directly after word groups it
modifies.
Je n’avais que le chat pour me tenir compagnie et il ne fait que dormir.
F. In sentences with multiple negative expressions, NE is used just once, and the second
part of each negative expression is places in its normal position.
Personne n’a jamais rien fait.
Quand mon appartement a été propre., je n’avais plus rien à faire.
G. RIEN & PRESONNE can be further quantified by combining them with de plus a
masculine singulair adjective.
Il n’y avait rien de spécial à la télé.
Personne d’intéressant n’a participé à mon émission préférée du soir.
OBJECT PRONOUN
a. Indirect Pronoun LUI & LUER- are used to replace nouns referring to people whne
those nouns are preceded by the preposition À. There is no distinction in gender, thus it is
understood by context. Indirect objects are placed before the conjugated verb or when
there is more than one verb before the verb of which it is the indirect object.
À + person (singular) = LUI
LUI= to him/her
À + person (plural)=LEUR
LEUR= to them
-Parlez-vous à votre prof?
-Oui, je lui parle souvent.
Do you talk to your teacher?
Yes, I talk to him/her often.
- A-t-elle envoyé une carte postale à son amie?
Did she send a postcard to her friend?
-Qu’est-ce qu’il a donné à ses copines?
-Il leur a donné des disques.
What did he give to his friends?
He gave them some records.
Est-ce que vous ésperez parler à vos amis?
Oui, j’ éspère leur parle.
Do you hope to talk toy your friends?
Yes, I hope to talk to them.
47
B. Disjunctive (stressed) Pronouns- are used whenever a pronoun is needed in a stressed
position—anywhere other than directly before a verb.
MOI
TOI
LUI
ELLE
me
you
him (masc)
her
NOUS
VOUS
EUX
ELLES
us
you
them
them (fem)
1. When referring to a person as the object of any preposition EXCEPT À. Use the
disjunctive pronoun.
-Est-ce que vous parlez de Marie ?
-Oui, nous parlons d’elle.
Are you talking about Mary ?
Yes, we’re talking about her.
-Avez-vous voyagé avec les Smith ?
-Oui, j’ai voyagé avec eux.
Did you travel with the Smiths ?
Yes, I traveled with them.
-Tu vas chez Marc ?
-Non, je ne vais pas chez lui.
Are you going to Marie’s house ?
No, I’m going to his house.
2. after QUE in a comparison
-Tu as plus de cassettes que Paul ?
-Non, il a plus de cassettes que moi.
Do you have more cassesttes than Paul ?
Yes, he has more cassettes than me.
-Est-ce que vous avez les même
albums que nous ?
Do you have the same albums as us ?
-Oui, nous avons les même albums
que vous.
Yes, we have the same albums as you.
3. As a pronoun stadning alone.
-Qui a acheté ce disque ?
-Lui
Who bought this record ?
Him.
-Alors, qui l’a choisi ?
-Moi
Well, who chose it ?
Me
4. For emphasizing the subject
-Et toi, comment as-tu trouvé le concert ?
-Moi, je l’ai beaucoup aimé, mais lui, il
l’a détesté.
48
And how did you like the concert ?
I really liked it, but he hated it.
C. Pronouns Y & EN
Y replaces
1. preposition of location (à, en, sur, chez, dans, sous, devant, etc) + object
2. à + noun referring to things (NOT people)
3. à + verbs in infinitives referring to ideas
J’y vais.
Le livre s’y trouve.
Je m’y intéresse.
Il y a répondu.
Nous nous y intérssons.
Je vais chez des amis.
Le livre se trouve sur la table.
Je m’intéresse aux sports.
Il a répondu à la question.
Nous nous intéressons à partir.
EN replaces
1. de + noun
2. de + verb
J’ai besoin d’un livre.
Il mange de la viande.
Tu as peur de chanter.
*Il as deux livres.
*Elle n’ pas beaucoup d’argent.
J’en ai besoin.
Il en mange.
Tu en as peur.
Il en a deux.
Elle n’en a pas beaucoup.
*nouns preceded by numbers or expression are replaced BUT NOT the
number or the expression of quanitity.
D. Direct object pronouns LE, LA, LES
The direct object pronouns le, la and les replaces a noun objec that directly
follows the verb without being preceded by a preposition. The pronoun agrees in gender
and number with the noun it replaces. The object pronoun is placed directly before the
CONJUGATED verb. However, when the verb in the present or past is followed by an
infinitive, the object pronoun must directly precede the infinitive.
-Aimez-vous le football ?
-Oui, je l’aime bien.
Do you like soccer ?
Yes, I really like it.
-Regardez-vous les matches de foot à
ta télé ?
-Oui, je les regarde souvent.
Do you watch the soccer matches on TV ?
49
Yes, I watch them often.
-Avez-vous vu le match d’hier ?
-Non, je ne l’ai pas vu.
Did you see yesterday ‘s match>
No, I didn’t see it.
-Aimez-vous faire la lessive ?
-Non, je n’aime pas la faire.
Do you like to do the wash ?
No, I don’t like to do it.
When the object pronouns le, la and les precede the auxiliary verb AVOIR in the passé
composé, the past participle agrees in gender and in number with this preceding direct
object.
-Avez-vous vu la femme dans l’ équipe de foot ?
Did you see the women on the soccer team ?
-Oui, je l‘ai vue.
Yes, I saw her
-Vous avez regardé les matches à la télé ?
-Oui, je les ai regardés et je les ai beaucoup aimés.
Did you watch the games on TV ?
Yes, I watched them & I really liked them.
-Avez-vous vu Sophie & Anne au Match de
tennis ?
-Oui, je les ai viues.
Did you see Sophie or Anne at the tennis
game ?
Yes, I saw them.
Subject
Reflexive
Direct Object
Indirect Object
Disjunctive
(stressed)
je
me
me
me
moi
tu
te
te
te
toi
il
elle
on
se
se
se
le
la
le
lui
lui
lui
lui
elle
soi
nous
nous
nous
nous
nous
vous
vous
vous
vous
vous
ils
elles
se
se
les
les
leur
leur
eux
elles
THE ORDER OF OBJECT PRONOUN
me
le
te
la
se
les
nous
vous
lui
y
leur
50
en
ORDINAL NUMBERS
Ordinal numbers are used to order and to rank items in a series.
1st
le premier/la première
11th
le/la onzième
2nd
le/la deuxième
12th
le/la douzième
3rd
le/la troisième
13th
le/la treizième
4th
le/la quatrième
14th
le/la quatorième
5th
le/la cinquième
15th
le/la quatorzieme
6th
le/la sixième
16th
le/la seizième
7th
le/la septième
17th
le/la dix-septième
8th
le/la huitième
18th
le/la dix-huitième
9th
le/la neuvième
19th
le/la dix-neuvième
10th
le/la dixième
20th
le/la vingtième
The following are special cases:
To express the first, use le premier or la première. For the last, use le dernier
or la dernière. All other ordinals are formed by adding -ième to the cardinal
number.
When the cardinal number ends in -e. drop the e before adding -ième:
quatre/quatrième
Add u to cinq before adding the ordinal ending: cinquième
Change the f of neuf to v before adding the ordinal ending: neuvième
PASSE COMPOSE
D. Formation
Verbs conjugate with AVOIR- mose verbs whose auxiliary is AVOIR in the passé
composé are transitive verbs (verbs that are capable of having direct objects). Direct
objects can NOT be separated from the verb by a preposition.
51
parler

parlé
finir

fini
attendre

attendu
avoir

eu
être

été
faire

fait
Nous avons
pouvoir

pu
Vous avez
prendre

pris
Ils/ Elles ont
vouloir

voulu
J’ai
Tu as
Il/ Elle/ On
AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENT = subject + auxiliary verb + past participle
NEGATIVE STATEMENT :
Subject +
ne
jamais
pas
plus
rien
+ auxiliary verb +
+ past participle +
personne
INVERTED QUESTION :
noun subject + auxiliary verb + sunjecy pronoun +
52
jamais
pas
plus
rien
+ past participle +
personne
2. Verbs Conjugated with ETRE- most French verbs that cannot take direct objects use
etre as their auxiliary verb in the passé compose. If there is a noun that follows an ETRE
verb, it must be preceded by a preposition because D.O.s The past participles of the etre
verbs function as adjectives and agree in gender and number with the subject.
Devenir
(devenu)
Revenir
(revenue)
Monter
(monte)
Rentrer
(rentre)
Sortir
(sorti)
Venir
(venu)
Arriver
(arrive)
Naitre
(ne)
Descendre
(descendu)
Entrer
(entre)
Retourner
(retourne)
Tomber
(tombe)
Rester
(reste)
Aller
(alle)
Mourir
(mort)
Partir
(parti)
53
Je suis _____(e)
Tu es ______(e)
Il est _______
Elle est _______e
Nous sommes _________(e)s
Vous etes ___________(e) (s)
Ils sont ___________s
Elles sont ___________es
B. Reflexive Verbs in the Passe Compose
S’AMUSER – to have fun / a good time
Je me suis amuse(e)
Tu t’es amuse(e)
Il / on s’est amuse
Elle s’est amuse
Nous nous sommes amuse(e)s
Vous vous etes amuse(e)(s)
Ils se sont amuses
Elles se sont amuses
1. All reflexive verbs are conjugated with etre in the passé compose and it’s past
participle agrees in gender and in number with the reflexive pronoun / subject.
-Monique s’est couchee tres tard hier soir.
Monique went to bed very late last night.
2. The past participle of SE FAIRE + infinitive constructions and those reflexive
verbs followed by direct objects will NOT agree with its reflexive pronoun /
subject in the passé compose.
-Sophie s’est fait couper les cheveux.
Sophie had her hair cut.
-Elles se sont brosse les dents avant de se coucher.
They brush their teeth before going to bed.
54
3. In the negative, ne precedes the reflexive pronoun, as in the simple tense. Pas or other
negative words normally follow the auxiliary ver.
-Pierre ne s’est pas endormi devant la tele.
Pierre didn’t fall asleep in front of the TV.
4. When forming questions by inversion, the subject pronoun is inverted directly behind
the auxiliary verb.
-Se sont ils baignes a la plage?
Did they go swimming at the beach?
-Non, ils ne se sont pas baignes a la plage.
Mais ils se sont fait bronzer.
No, they didn’t. They got a tan.
C. Uses of Passé Composé
1. Onset of the action is clearly seen, although the specific beginning point may not
necessarily be stated.
3h
passé composé
present
Je suis alle au cinema cet après-midi a 3h.
I went to the movies this afternoon (at 3 o’clock).
2. The end of the action is clearly seen, although the specific time may not necessarily be
stated.
5h
passé composé
present
(A 5h) j’ai quitte le cinema a la fin du film pour aller diner.
(At 5:00) I left the movies at the end of the film to go have dinner.
55
3. The duration of the action is clearly stated, even with the use of indefinite times
expressions such as pendant quelques heures (for a few hours), plusieurs (several).
2:30
passé composé
present
Le flim a dure deux heures et demie.
The movie lasted two and a half hours.
4. An action that is repeated a SPECIFIED number of times.
passé composé
present
La semaine passee, je suis alle au cinema quatre fois.
Last week, I went to the movies four times.
5. A past action is viewed in its entirety, although the beginning and end points and the
duration are implied but not specifically stated.
passé composé
present
Viviane est allee au cinema aussi.
Viviane went to the movies too.
6. A reaction to or a sudden action may cause a change in an existing state or condition
meaning to become or get and the following adverb may indicated that an action is
completed within a given mount of time frame.
Enfin
Finalement
Soudain
tout a coup
immediatement
tout de suite
a ce moment
une fois
vite
Quand j’ai vu l’examen, j’ai eu peur.
When I saw the exam, I got scared.
Apres avoir mange la mauvaise viande, il a ete malade.
After eating the spoiled meat, he got sick.
56
PASSIVE VOICE
The passive voice is useful in a number of context, including reporting the facts and
summarizing what went on. The passive voice reverses the roles and positions of the
subject and the direct object of a normal sentence (in the active voice). The direct object
of an active sentence becomes the subject of a passive sentence. This new subject does
NOT carry out the action of the verb (as it does in an active sentence), but is acted upon
by an agent.
A. FORMATION
Active Voice:
subject + verb + direct object
Le meurtrier a tue les temoins.
La neige couvre les montagnes.
Les scientifiques vont discuter l’economie.
Passive Voice: subject + ETRE (conjugated) +past participle + par / de+agent
(subject and past participle agree in gender and number)
Les temoins ont ete tues par le meurtrier.
Les montagnes sont couvertes de neige.
L’economie vont etre discutee.
NOTE:
1) When transforming a sentence from the active to passive voice, ETRE must
be in the same tense as the main verb in the active voice.
2) In French, only verbs that are followed by direct objects can be put into the
passive voice.
3) An agent is not always mentioned because it is either implied, unknown, or
unimportant. However, when it is present it is usually introduced by PAR.
However, DE is used when the passive voice denotes a abstract sate or
condition and is NOT followed by an article.
B. AVOIDING THE PASSIVE
1. If an agent is expressed, transform the sentence to the active voice by: 1)
making the agent the subject of the sentence, 2) making the passive
subject the direct object, and 3) deleting ETRE and the past participle of
the main verb and replacing them with a conjugated form of the main
verb.
PASSIVE: Une rage fatale a ete ecrite par un romancier célèbre.
ACTIVE: Unromancier célèbre a ecrit une rage fatale.
57
2.
If an agent is NOT expressed and is a person, use the indefinite pronoun ON
as the subject, followed by the active verb in the 3rd person singular form.
PASSIVE: Ce roman est connu dans de nombreux pays.
ACTIVE: On connait ce roman dans de nombreux pays.
3.
Certain, common, habitual actions in English expressed in the passive voice
can be rendered in French by pronominal verbs, assuming that the subject is
inanimate. Common pronominal verbs used in this situation are SE
MANGER, SE BOIRE, SE PARLER, SE VENDRE, S’OUVRIR, SE
FERMER, SE DIRE, SE FAIRE, S’EXPLIGUER, SE TROUVER, and SE
VOIR.
Ce roman ne se vend pas bien en ce moment.
This novel is not selling very well right now.
Mais cela s’expligue facilement, puisqu’il vient seulement de sortir en
librairie.
But that is easily explained, since it just came out in the bookstores.
PAST INFINITIVE
Like the passé composé, the past infinitive is composed of an auxiliary verb (AVOIR or
ETRE) and a past participle. The auxiliary is not conjugated, but stays in the infinitive.
The equivalent English expression is after having –past participle or quite frequently just
after –ing.
Après + auxiliary verb + past participle
A.
The past infinitive can ONLY be used when the subject in each clause is the
same. However, when the subjects are different, <Après que + subj. +
conjugated verb must be used.
Après être arrivé à l’aéroport, il a téléphoné à sa mere pour venir le
chercher.After having arrived at the airport, he called his mother to come pick
him up.
Après qu’il est arrivé à l’aéroport, sa mère est venue le chercher.
After he arrived at the airport, his mother came to pick him up.
B.
When the past infinitive appears more than once in the same sentence, for the
sake of redundancy, all elements that would be repeated are deleted.
Après avoir bien ciré ses chaussures et (après avoir) ajust sa cravate, il est
sorti.
After having shined his shoes and adjusted his tie, he left.
C.
When the auxiliary ETRE, the past participle agrees in gender and in number
with its subject.
58
Après avoir pris une douche et s’être habillée, elle a mange le petit déjeùner.
After having taken a shower and gotten dressed, she ate breakfast.
58, cont
D. In the negative, place ne…pas / jamais / plus, etc. before the auxiliary verb.
Après ne pas avoir fait ses devoirs, l’élève a eu une mauvaise note.
After not having done his homework, the student got a bad grade.
PAST SUBJUNTIVE
A.
FORMATION – the past subjunctive is formed from the present subjunctive
of the auxiliary AVOIR or ETRE plus the past participle of the main verb.
ETRE / AVOIR
(present subjunctive)
+
past
participle
. . . que j’aie regardé
. . . que nous soyons parti(e)s
. . . que tu te sois réveillé(e)
B.
USAGE – The past subjunctive is a compound tense used to refer to actions or
conditions that took place at any time prior to the verb in the main clause.
Il est content que je sois parti tôt.
He is happy that I left early.
Je doute qu’il ait acheté la moto hier.
I doubt he bought the motorcycle yesterday.
Il est peu probable qu’il soit devenu anti-écologique.
It’s very unlikely that he became anti-environmental.
NOTE:
There is no future subjunctive in French. Future actions are
expressed in the present subjunctive.
59
PLUPERFECT
A. FORMATION – imperfect form of the auxiliary AVOIR or ETRE + Past
Participle
étudier
j’avais étudié
nous avions
étudié
arriver
j’ étais
arrivé(e)
nous étions
se coucher
je m’étais
couché(e)
nous nous
étions
couché(e)s
tu t’étais
couché(e)
vous vous
étiez
couché(e)(s
)
ils
elles
s’étaient
arrivé(e)s
tu avais
étudié
vous aviez
étudié
il
elle
on avait
étudié
ils
elles avaient
étudié
tu étais
arrivé(e)(s)
vous étiez
arrivé(e)(s)
il
ils
il
elle était
elles
elle s’était
on
étaient
on
arrivé
couché
arrivée
arrives
couchée
couchés
arrivé
couché
arrivées
couchées
B. USAGE – The pluperfect reflects a past action
that happens before another action
in the past. Therefore, it is sometimes known as the past past tense. It is equivalent
to the English had + past participle.
Il s’est averé que j’avais déjà fait sa connaissance il y a trois semaines.
It turned out that I had already met him three years ago.
Quand elle est arrivé à la gare, le train était déjà parti.
When she arrived at the train station, the train had already left.
1.
Sometimes in English the pluperfect is translated as a simple past tense, as
in the examples below. However, whenever it is clear that an action had
been completed prior to another past action in the same time period, the
pluperfect MUST be used.
J’ai vu l’emission que vous m’aviez recommandée.
I saw the show that you (had) recommended to me.
Le film était aussi bon que vous me l’aviez dit.
The movie was as good as you (had) recommended to me.
2.
The pluperfect, when used with SI, expresses a wish or regret about past
events.
Si seulement j’avais gagné à la loterie!
If only I had won the lottery!
60
Si seulement je n’avais pas perdu tout mom argent!
If only I hadn’t lost all my money
60, cont
POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES
Subject
Possessive Adjective
English Equivalent
Example
Je
mon + (masculine singular noun)
*mon + (feminine singular noun
beginning with a vowel)
ma + (feminine singular noun)
mes + (masc. / fem. plural noun)
ton + (masculine singular noun)
*ton + (feminine singular noun
beginning with a vowel)
ta + (feminine singular noun)
tes + (msc. / fem. plular noun)
son + (masculine singular noun)
*son + (feminine singular noun
beginning with a vowel)
sa + (feminine singular noun)
ses + (masc. / fem. plural noun)
notre + (masculine singular noun)
… + (feminine singular noun)
nos + (masc. / fem. plural noun)
my
mon livre
mon amie
ma chambre
mes clés
your
ton livre
ton amie
ta chamber
tes clés
his/her/one’s
son livre
son amie
sa chambre
our
notre livre
notre chambre
nos clés
Vous
votre + (masculine singular noun)
… + (feminine singular noun)
vos + (msc. / fem. plural noun)
your
votre livre
votre chambre
vos clés
Ils/Elles
leur + (msculine singular noun)
… + (feminine singular noun)
leurs + (masc. / fem. plural noun)
their
leur livre
leur chambres
leurs clés
Tu
Il/ Elle/ On
Nous
ses clés
*With a feminine noun beginning with a vowel or a vowel sound, the masculine form
mon, ton, and son is used instead of the feminine form in order to maintain liaison.
mon omelette
ton amie
NOTE: Possessive adjectives agree in number (singular or plural) & gender (masc. or
fem.) with the nouns they modify which may not necessarily be the subject!!!!
Marc a ses livres.
(Marc has his books.)
(sees agrees in gender & number with livres not Marc!)
61
PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE
loid de
(far from)
au bout de
(at the end of)
entre
(in between)
prés de
(near)
au coin de
(at the cornerof)
dans
(in)
en face de
(across from)
devant
(in front of)
sous
(under)
à côté de
(next to)
derrière
(behind)
sur
(on)
de
(from)
à
(in)
The above prepositions always precede:
1.
2.
3.
indefinite/definite articles
possessive pronouns
the noun when there is no article
Le maison se trouve au coin de la rue.
The house is located at the corner of the street.
Le vélo est en face du magasin.
The bike is in front of the store.
Il est loin de l’hôtel.
He is far from the hotel
La voiture se trouve près de votre maison.
The car is located near your house.
La poste est devant la gare
The post office is in front of the train station.
Il est entre ma maison et la banque.
It is between my house & the bank.
NOTE:
For those prepositions that are followed by de, remember that de + le
contracts to du & de + les contracts to des.
PREPOSITIONS WITH GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
Most locations whose names end in –e are feminine. Normally, names ending in any
other letter are masculine (exception: le Mexique)
A. Countries, continents & states
1. En is used to express the ideas of to, at, or in with the names of feminine
countries, continents, and states.
I’m going to France.
Are they in Asia?
I live in Virginia.
Je vais en France.
Sont-ils en Asie.
1’habite en Virginie.
2. à + definite article (to, at, or in) is used for masculine geographical locations.
62
Il va au Portugal.
Vont-ils aux Etats-Unis?
Vous allez au Texas?
62, cont
He’s going to Portugal.
Are they going to the USA?
You’re going to Texas.
3. en is used with names of masculine singular georgraphical locations beginning with a
vowel.
Isreal (m)
en Isreal
l’Iran (m)
en Iran
NOTE – No article is ever used with Isreal.
de is used without an article to express the idea of from wirh feminine countries,
continents, and states; whereas de + definite article is used with masculine countries,
continents, and states.
Venez-vous d’Europe?
Ils arrivent du Canada?
Nous arriovons de France.
Ils sont des Etas-Unis.
Do you come from Europe?
They are arriving from Canada?
We’re arriving from France.
They are from the United States.
Cities
1. à is always used with cities to express the isea of to, at, & in. Almost all cities are
neither masculine or feminine, and thus, will never be preceded by an article.
Il est à New York?
Non, il est à Paris/
Is he in NewYork?
No, he’s in Paris.
BUT
*Le Mardi gras est à
la Nouvelle Orléans.
The Mardi Gras is in New Orleans.
*Je vais au Havre.
( = à + le)
I’m going to Le Havre.
*NOTE- There are a few cities that contain the definite article as part of its name; and
thus, it must be retained.
2. de is used with cities to express the idea of from
He’s from Paris.
She’s arriving from Chicago.
Il est de Paris.
Elle arrive de Chicago.
BUT
He’s from Le Havre.
She’s arriving from New Orleans.
**Il est du Havre.
**Elle arrive de La Nouvelle
Orléans.
**NOTE- Cities that contain a definite article as past of its name, must be retained.
63
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
A. FORMATION – The present participle of both regular & irregular verbs is formed by
dropping the –ONS ending from the present tense NOUS form and adding –ANT. It is
the equivalent of the verbal –ING form in English.
utilisons  utilisant
finissons  finissant
battons  battant
faisons  faisant
EXCEPTIONS
être  étant
avoir  ayant
savoir  sachant
B.
USAGE – The present participle functions either as a verb or an adjective
1. When it functions as an adjective, agreement is made with the noun it
modifies.
Le chalet où nous étions hébergés n’avait pas l’eau courante.
The chalet where we were staying had no running water.
2. When it functions as a verb, no agreement is made. In this instance, the
present participle is usually preceded by EN to express a condition or to
show what two actions are going on simultaneously & is equivalent to the
English while –ING
En sautant à la corde, la jeune fille s’est blessé au pied.
While jumping rope, the little girl hurt her foot.
J’aime écouter la radio en faisant mon footing.
I like to listen to the radio while jogging.
Les jours de compétition, je commence à me concentrer en me levant.
On competition days, I begin concentrating as soon as I get up.
NOTE- TOUT can be used before EN+ present participle to accentuate the simultaneity
or opposition of two actions. In this case, TOUT does not change form.
Tout en paraissant détendu, je me prépare à la course.
While looking relaxed, I prepare myself for the race.
64
3. While functioning as a verb, the present participle can also express by what
means something can be done & in this instance, is equivalent to the English by –ING.
Comme me le dit mon entraîneur, c’est en travaillant à son proper rythme
réussit.
As my coach tells me, it’s by working at your own pace that you succeed.
C.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FRENCH AND ENGLISH
1. After all prepositions except EN, the French infinitive form is used to
express the equivalent of the English present participle.
J’ai passé mon temps libre à me preparer pour le triathlon.
I spent my free time preparing for the triathlon.
J’ai fini par me placer deuxième.
I ended up placing second.
2. The preposition APRES must be followed by the past infinitive, even
though is may translate as after +verb-ING.
Après avoir pris une douche et s’être habillée, elle a mangé le petit
déjeuner.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, she ate breakfast.
3. An infinitive in French is also used when the English present participle
functions as the subject or object of a verb.
Faire du sport est bon pour la santé.
Practicing sports is good for your health.
PRESENT TENSE
A. Regular –ER Verbs-are the largest groups of verbs that follow a similar conjugation
pattern
1. The –ER ending denotes that the verb is in the infinitive form (to + verb).
The infinitive is an unmodified form because it has not yet been
conjugated.
2. To arrive at the appropriate conjugated verb forms that correspond with
each subject pronoun, the –ER ending of the infinitive is dropped
to form the stem to produce the following conjugated forms:
65
REGULAR –ER VERBS PARLER (to speak), STEM- PARLSingular Forms
Subj. Pronoun
Verb Ending
Conj. Form
je (I)
-e
je parle
tu (you)
-es
tu parles
il (he/it)
-e
il parle
elle (she/it)
elle parle
Plural Forms
Verb Ending
-ons
-ez
-ent
Subj. Pronoun
nous (we)
vous (you)
ils (they)
elles
Other –ER verbs:
bavarder
chanter
danser
étudier
fumer
habiter
manger
to chat
to sing
to dance
to study
to smoke
to live (in)
to eat
Conj. Form
nous parlons
vous parlez
il parlent
elle parlent
marcher
parler
travailler
voyager
__aux
États-Unis
__en France
to walk
to speak/talk
to work
to travel
to the USA
to France
Regular –RE verbs- like regular –er verbs, all regular –re verbs follow a similar pattern of
conjugation. Remove the –re infinitive ending and add the following endings to the stem.
Attendre- to wait for
Vendre- to sell
J’attends
Tu attends
Il/Elle/On attend
Descendre- to go fown, to stop, to stay
Attendre- to wait for
Nous attendons
Vous attendez
Ils/Elles attendent
-Est-ce que tu descends en ville?
Are you going downtown?
-Non, je ne descends pas en ville maintenant.
No, I’m not going downtown now.
J’attends Paul.
I’m waiting for Paul.
-Mais, on vend des disques et des cassettes à un
prix spécial à Dicso-Rama.
But, ther’re selling records and cassettes at a special
price at Dico-Rama.
Est-ce que vous descendez à l’hôtel?
Are you staying at a hotel?
66
-Oui, nous desendons à l’hôtel Univers.
Yes, we’re staying at the Universe Hotel.
66, cont
NOTE- When the verb attendre + person/thing means to wait for, the
preoposition foris incorporated into the meaning of the verb; and thus, not repeated.
However, attendre followed by the preposition à means to wait at/in & requires the
presence of his preposition.
J’attends mon ami au parc.
Il attend le train depuis une heure.
I’m waiting for my friend at the park.
He’s been waiting for the train for an hour.
Vous attendez à la gare longtemps?
Ils attendent au Parc.
Have you been waiting at the train station long?
They’re waiting in the park.
C. –IR VERBS
FINIR- to finish
Je finis
Tu finis
Il
Elle finit
On
Nous finissons
Vous finissez
Ils
Elles finissent
choisir
punir
to choose
to punish
OBEIRE À- to obey
J’obéis
Tu obéis
Il
Elle obéit
On
réfléchir
réussir
Nous obéissons
Vous obéissez
Ils
Elles obéissent
to reflect on; think about
to success; to pass
1. Note that a preposition follows these verbs when they are followed by an infinitive:
finir de + infinitive
choisir de + infinitive
Je finis de travailler. I’m finished working.
Il choisit de partir. He chooses to leave.
2.
réfléchir à + noun / infinitive
Tu réfléchis à lire un livre
You’re thinking about reading a book.
Paul réfléchit à ses projects.
Paul is thinking about his plans.
réussir + noun / infinitive
Ils réussissent à trouver un hotel.
They succees in finding a hotel.
Monique réussit à son examen.
Monique passes her test.
67
Note:
used.
When a noun follows FINIR, CHOISIR, & PUNIR a preposition is not
3. The infinitive ending – IR can be added to certain adjectives, including
the names of certain colors. Such verbs mean to become / to turn ….
blanc
noir
rouge
grand
gros
maigre
D.
blanchir
noireir
rougir
grandir
grossir
maigrir
to turn white; to bleach
to turn black; to blacken
to turn red; to blush
to get big; to grow up
to become / get fat
to become / get skinny, thin
Irregular – ER verbs
e è
achèter (to buy); se lever (to
get up); amener (take along)
j’ achète
nous achetons
é è
préférer (to prefer); espérer
(to hope); répéter (to repeat)
j’ espère
nous espérons
tu
achetez
tu
espères
vous
espérez
achètent
il
elle espère
on
ils
elles
espèrent
achètes vous
il
ils
elle achète elles
on
t  tt
jeter – to throw
je
jette
nous
jetons
y i
payer (to pay); envoyer (to
send); ennuyer (to
bore/annoy); nettoyer (to
clean); essayer (to try);
employer (to use)
je paie
nous payons
tu
jettes
vous
jetez
tu paies
vous
payez
il
elle jette
on
ils
elles
jettent
il
elle paie
on
ils
elles
paient
68
l  ll
s’appeler – to be named
je m’appelle
nous nous
appelons
tu t’appelles vous vous
appelez
il
il
elle s’appelle elle s’appellent
on
on
c ç
començer – to begin
je commence nous
commençons
tu
vous
commences
commençez
il
il
elle comence elle
on
commençent
on
Manger – to eat; Nager – to swim;
Plonger – to dive
je mange
nous mangeons
tu manges
vous mangez
il
ils
elle mange
elles mangent
on
Aller – to go
je vais
nous allons
tu vas
vous allez
il
ils
elle va
elles vont
on
Past Part: allé
Avoir – to have
j’
ai
nous avons
tu as
vous avez
il
ils
elle a
elles ont
on
Past Part:
eu
Dire – to tell/say
je dis
nous disons
tu dis
vous dites
il
ils
elle dit
elles disent
on
Past Part: dit
je suis
tu es
il
elle est
on
Past Part:
été
Faire – to make/do
je fais
nous faisons
tu fais
vous faites
il
il
elle fait
elle font
on
on
Past Part:
fait
Mettre – to put/place
je mets
nous mettons
tu mets
vous mettez
il
ils
elle met
elles mettent
on
Past Part: mis
Pouvoir – to be able to
je peux
nous pouvons
tu peux
vous pouvez
il
ils
elle peut
elles peuvent
on
Past Part:
pu
Prendre – to take
je prends
nous prenons
tu prends
vous prenez
il
il
elle prend
elle prennent
on
on
Past Part:
pris
Etre – to be
nous somes
vous êtes
ils
elles sont
69
Devoir – to owe, must, have to
je dois
nous devons
tu dois
vous devez
il
il
elle doit
elle doivent
on
on
Past Part:
dû
Sortir – to go out
je sors
nous sortons
tu sors
vous sortez
il
ils
elle sort
elles sortent
on
Past Part: sorti
Venir – to come
je viens
nous venons
tu viens
vous venez
il
ils
elle vient
elles viennent
on
Past Part:
venu
Vouloir – to want
je veux
nous voulons
tu veux
vous voulez
il
il
elle veut
elle veulent
on
on
Past Part:
voulu
QUANTITIVE EXPRESSIONS
A.
To ask how much/many of something, use:
Combien de disques compacts est-ce que tu as?
Combien de jambon est-ce que tu as achete?
Combien d’argent avez-vous?
B.
a lot (of) / many / much
not many, much
a little
very little
EXPRESSIONS OF SUFFICIENCY
Assez de
Trop de
Ne…pas assez de
D.
How many CDs do you have?
How many ham did you buy?
How much money do you have?
GENERAL QUANTITIES
Beaucoup de
Ne…pas beaucoup de
**un peu de
tres peu de
C.
COMBIEN DE/D’
enough
too much / too many
not enough
SPECIFIC QUANTITIES
Une bouteille de
Une carafe de
Un morceau de
Un bout de
Une tasse de
Une trance de
Un verre de
Un kilo de
Une livre de
Une demi-kilo de
Une douzaine de
a bottle of
a pitcher of
a piece of
a piece of
a cup of
a slice of
a glass of
a kilogram of
a pound of
a half-kilogram of
a dozen
70
These expressions of quantity are followed directly by a noun without definite/indefinite
/partitive article:
Il y a assez de vin?
Non, il n’y a pas beaucoup de vin.
Is there enough wine?
Yes, there’s a lot of wine.
Que penez-vous Monsieur?
*Je prends un peu d’eau.
What are you having, sir?
I’ll have a little water.
Vous avez une carafe de vin rouge? Do you have a carafe of red wine?
Non, j’ai un verre de vin.
No, I have a glass of wine.
E.
When expressing the idea of per, use the definite article when used before
unites of measure.
Ca coute 5F ….
le kilo
(per kilo)
Le litre
(per liter)
La livre
(per pound)
La bouteille (per bottle)
*NOTE:
When an expression of quantity is followed by a noun beginning
with a vowel or mute h, de changes to d’.
**NOTE:
un peu de can only be used with noncountable nouns (nouns that
are always in the singular). To express a few with a plural noun,
you must use QUELQUES + noun.
QUESTION FORMATION
A. INTONATION – The simplist way to form a question in French is to take a
statement and raise your voice at the end. This type of formation is the most
common in everyday conversation when a yes or no answer is expected.
Vous travaillez maintenant?
Oui, je travaille maintenant.
Are you working now?
Yes, I am working now.
Vous habitez en France?
Oui, j’habite en France.
Do you live in France?
Yes, I live in France.
B. EST-CE QUE – Another way of asking yes/no questions in French is to place
the construction est-ce que directly before the statement.
Est-ce que tu parles français?
Est-ce que vous écoutez un disque?
record?
71
Do you speak French?
Are you listening to a
C. INVERSION
1. Formation – conjugated verb + - + subject pronoun
- Travaillez-vous dans un restaurant?
- Oui, je travaille dans un restaurant.
- Étudient-ils à l’université?
- Oui, ils etudient à l’université.
- As-tu trois soeurs?
- Non, j’ai deux soeurs.
- N’a pas-il d’argent?
- Si, il a beaucoup d’argent.
2. When the verb form ends in a vowel, a-t- must be added before the il, elle, on
forms.
Parle-t-elle bien le français?
A-t-il un animal domestique?
Lassie-t-il un pouboire pour le garçon?
3. With noun subjects, est-ce que or intonation is preferred.
Est-ce que ton frère étudie le français?
Ton frère etudie le français?
4. Questions involving je are usually formed using either intonation or est-ce que.
The je formed is normally not inverted.
Est-ce que j’ai raison?
D. Complex Inversion – allows nouns and proper nouns to be inverted by placed a subject
pronoun copy that agrees in gender and number with the subject after the conjugated
verb.
Formation: Subject (noun/proper noun) + conjugated verb + - + subject
pronoun copy
Ton frère étudie-t-il le français?
Vos clés sont-elles sur la table?
Note: Nouns and proper nouns can only be inverted when there are NO other
elements that follow the inverted NOUN / PROPER NOUN.
72
Que fait Paul?
C.
N’EST-CE PAS affirms / verifies what has been stated.
Tu es bien allé à l’école hier, n’est-ce pas?
You went to school yesterday, didn’t you?
72, cont
REFLEXIVE / REXIRPOCAL VERBS
A. REFLEXIVE VERBS- Action of the verb reflex back on the subject. These
verbs are always accompanied by a reflexive pronoun indicating that the subject is
performing an action upon or for itself. This pronoun follows the subject and
immediately precedes the verb form.
1.
je 
me
nous 
nous
tu 
te
vous 
vous
il 
elle
se
ils 
elles
se
-T’endors-tu quand tu voyages en
avion?
Do you go to sleep when you travel
by plan?
-Oui, je m’endors toujours.
Yes, I always go to sleep.
2. To form the negative of a reflexive verb, ne follows the subject and precededs
the reflexive pronoun. As in the normal negative construction, pas follows the
verb form.
-Est-ce que tu te lèves à sept
heures du matin?
Do you get up at 7:00 AM?
-Non, je ne me lève pas à sept No, I don’t get up at 7:00AM
heures du matin.
3. Only the subject pronoun is inverted when forming questions by inversion with
reflexive verbs. Such questions will begins with the reflexive pronoun. Negative
interveted questions will begin with ne.
-Vous rasez-vous souvent?
-Oui, je me rase souvent.
Do you dshave often?
Yes, I shave often.
-Ne vous couchez-vous pas tard?
-Si, he me couche très tard.
Don’t you go to bed late?
Yes, I go to bed very late.
73
4. When a reflexive verb is used in the infinitive form, the reflexive pronoun always
agrees with the subject of the conjugated verb.
-Est-ce que tu vas t’habiller pour aller au restaurant?
Are you going to get dressed to go to the restaurant?
-Bien sur, je vais m’habiller d’une maniere elegante.
Of course. I’m going to dress elegantly.
-Vous esperez vous coucher tot.
You hope to go to bed early.
B. VERBS WITH REFLEXIVE AND NON-REFLEXIVE FORMS
amuser
arreter
depecher
disputer
ennuyer
entendre
f âcher
marier
occuper
NON REFLEXIVE
to amuse
to arrest; to stop
to send
to fight
to bore; to bother
to hear
to get angry
to marry
to occupy
REFLEXIVE
s’amuser to have a good time
s’arreter
to stop (oneself)
se depecher
to hurry up
se disputer
to argue
s’ennuyer
to get bored
s’entendre (avec) to get along with
se marier (avec) to get married
s’occuper (de) to take care of
Certain verbs exist only in reflexive forms:
se souvenir de
se moquer de
to remember
to make fun of
C. RECIPROCAL VERBS - Some verbs can be used in the reflexive form to give them a
reciprocal sense of people doing something to or for each other. They are used only in the
plural.
s’aimer
se parler
se poser
se regarder
se rencontrer
se telephoner
to love/like each other
to talk to each other
to ask each other (questions)
to look at each other
to meet each other
to telephone/call each other
74
WORD ORDER FOR REFLEXIVE VERBS
PRESENT TENSE
1. Affirmative Statement
Subject + reflexive pronoun + reflexive verb (conjugated)
Elle se couchent tard.
2. Negative Statement
Subject + NE +reflexive pronoun + reflexive verb + PAS
Elles ne se couchent pas tard.
3a. Inverted Questions - Affirmative
reflexive pronoun + reflexive verb (conjugated) + subject pronoun
Ce couchent-elle tard?
3b. Inverted Questions- Negative
NE + reflexive pronoun + reflexive verb + subject pronoun + PAS
Ne se couchent-elle pas tard?
75
B. PASSE COMPOSE
1. Affirmative Statement
Subject + reflexive pronoun + ETRE (conjugated) + Past Participle (agreement)
Elles ne se sont pas couchees tard.
2. Negative Statement
Reflexive pronoun + ETRE (conjugated) + PAS + Past Participle (agreement)
Elles ne se sont pas couchees tard.
3a. Inverted Question - Affirmative
Reflexive pronoun + ETRE (conjugated) + subject pronoun + Past Participle
(agreement)
Ce sont-elles couchees tard?
3b. Inverted Question - Negative
Ne + reflexive pronoun + ETRE (conjugated) + subject + pronoun + PAS + Past
Participle (agreement)
Ne se sont-elles pas couchees?
C. IMMEDIATE FUTURE
1. Affirmative Statement
Subject + ALLER (conjugated) + reflexive pronoun + Reflexive verb (infinitive)
Je vais me choucher.
76
2. Negative Statement
Subject + NE + ALLER (conjugated) + PAS + reflexive pronoun + reflexive verb
(infinitive)
Je ne vais pas me coucher.
3a. Inverted Questions - Affirmative
ALLER (conjugated) + subject pronoun + reflexive + pronoun + reflexive verb
(infinitive)
Vas-tu te coucher?
3b. Inverted Questions - Negative
NE + ALLER (conjugated) + subject pronoun + PAS + reflexive pronoun +
reflexive verb (infinitive)
Ne vas-tu pas te coucher?
RELATIVE PRONOUNS
Relative pronouns join two clauses into a single sentence. A relative pronoun refers back
to a word in the main clause and introduces a subordinate (dependent) clause. The form
of the relative pronoun is determined by the grammatical function on the subordinate
clause.
77
A.
QUI functions as the subject of the second clause and is always followed by a
verb. It is equivalent to the English who, which, or that and can be refer back to
either persons or things.
-Connais-tu M. Penaud?
-C’est un prof qui enseigner l’anglais.
-Est-ce que tu amies écrire de dissertations?
-Oui. Mais je n’aime pas les dissertations qui prennent trop de temps.
B.
Que is always the object of the second clause and is followed by a subject and a
verb. It is equivalent to whom, which, or that and can also refer to both persons
and things. The final –e of QUE drops when followed by a vowel or vowel sound
(qu’).
-Est-ce que vous avez aime ce cous?
-Oui. Mais je n’aime pas aime
Les dissertations que nous avons
faites en classe.
-Comment trouve t-elle ce prof?
-C’est un prof qu’elle aime.
Do you like this course?
Yes, but I didn’t like
the compostions that we
did in class.
What does she think of that teacher?
He/She’s a teacher whom she likes.
Specified Antecedent
Subject
Direct Object
Object of Preposition
Object of DE
PERSON
Qui
Que
Prep + Qui
Dont
THING
Qui
Que
Prep + Que
Dont
Unspecified Antecedent
PERSON or THING
Ce Qui
Ce Que
Prep. + Quoi
Ce Dont
SAVOIR & CONNAITRE
Connaitre-To Know
Je Connais
Nous Connaissons
Tu Connais
Vous Connaissez
Il/Elle/On Connait
Ils/Elles Connaissent
Past Participle-Connu
78
Past Participle-Su
Savoir-To Know
Je Sais
Nous Savons
Tu Sais
Vous Savez
Il/Elle/On Sait
Ils/Elles Savent
A.
SAVOIR means to know with respect to facts, numbers, and other specific
information.
-Sais-tu la date du concert?
Do you know the date of the concert?
-Savaient-ils le nom du group?
Did they know the name of the group?
-Savez-vous quand ils vont arriver? Do you know when they’re going to arrive?
1. SAVOIR followed by an infinitive means to be able to or to know
how to do something.
-Vous savez faire du ski?
-Oui. Je sais faire du ski.
Do you know how to ski?
Yes, I know how to ski.
-Est-ce qu’il savait danser la polka? Did he know how to dance the polka?
-Pas du tout. Il ne savait rien faire! Not at all! He didn’t know how to do
anything!
2. In the passé compose, SAVOIR means learned or found out.
J’ai su que Jacqueline était malade. I found out/learned that Jacqueline was sick.
B.
CONNAITRE means to know in the sense to be familiar with people or things, to
have knowledge of something.
-Tu connais ce restaurant?
Are you familiar with this restaurant?
-Oui je le connais assez bien. Yes I know it rather well.
-Il connait Sophie longtemps. He’s known Sophie for a long time.
Vous connaissez bien la France? Do you know France well?
1. In the passé compose CONNAITRE is equivalent to met
Elle a connu son petit ami aure boum. She met her boyfriend at a party.
2. A more commonly used expression meaning to meet (for the first time) is
FAIRE LA CONNAISSANCE DE
J’ai fait la connaissance de Marie à une boum.
79
I met Marie at a party.
SEASONS
L’automne (m)-fall/autumn
L’hiver (m)-Winter
Le Printemps (m)-Spring
L’été (m)-Summer
To say in the use:
Au printemps
En été
En automne
En hiver
Au printemps il faut du ski.
En été il fait très chaud.
En automne il fait frais.
En hiver il neige.
SUJECT PRONOUS
Each conjugated form of a verb is accomplished by its appropriate subject pronoun.
A.
Je (I)-When followed by a word that begins with a vowel or a mute h, je becomes
j’
B.
Tu (You) -SINGULAR form used when expressing familiarity or informality.
Thus it is used to address family members, small children, close friends, coworkers, classmates, and pets.
C.
Il/Elle/On -SINGULAR forms used:
1. Il equivalent to the English He or It (masculine object)
2. Elle equivalent to the English She or It (feminine object)
3. On equivalent to the English forms one, you, we, they, people in general
(although ON frequently stands for a plural concept [people, we, they] it always
takes a 3rd person singular verb form)
D.
Nous (WE)-PLURAL form
E.
Vous (YOU)
1. SINGULAR when it is used to address an individual on a formal basis such as
a stranger, an acquaintance, a superior, etc….
2. PLURAL when addressing more then one person whether on a formal or
informal basis
80
F.
Ils/Elles (THEY)-PLURAL forms used:
1. Ils-equivalent to the english they referring to a group of feminine
people or objects
NOTE: The rules governing the choice of Tu vs. Vous when
Addressing an individual is a part of an unwritten cultural code.
If you are un sure, use the vous form until your friend says. “On peut
se tutoyer!”
G.
Vous vs. Tu- there are formal and informal levels of language that vary according
to the person(s) being addressed and how well you know the person and his/her
social position. Part of this distinction is found in the tu/vous distinction just
introduced as well as other variation in vocabulary and form.
Style Formel (Vous)
Bonjour!
Comment allez-vous?
Bien merci.
Et vous?
Au revoir.
Formal Style (Vous)
Hello/Good Morning/Good afternoon
How are you?
Fine, thank you.
And you?
Good bye.
NOTE: In the style formel, a person is never addressed by first name but by an
appropriate title
Bonjour Madame.
Bonjour Monsieur.
Bonjour Mademoiselle.
NOTE: The term Mademoiselle is used for very young women, a woman appearing to be
over twenty-one is addressed as Madame.
Style Familier (Tu)
Salut!
Bonjour!
Ca va?
Ca va bien.
Pas mal.
Comme ci comme ca.
Et toi?
Ciao.
A bientôt.
A tout a l’heure
Familiar style (Tu)
Hi!
Hello/good morning/good afternoon
How’s it going?
Okay.
Not bad.
So-so.
And you?
Bye.
See you soon.
See you later.
If someone asks you your name the following would be an appropriate response:
Je m’appelle Paul.
Mon nom est Annick.
80
Georges.
SUBJUNCTIVE
A.
Formation
1. ENDINGS-To form the subjunctive of regular verbs drop the –ENT ending of the
3rd person plural form of the present tense and add the following endings:
Je → -e
Tu → -es
Il
Elle → -e
On
Nous → -ions
Vous → -iez
Ils
Elles → -ent
2. IRREGULAR STEMS
a. The following verbs have two subjunctive stems: one for the
nous and vous form and one for the remaining forms.
NOUS/VOUS
aller
allappeler appelcroire croydevoir devmourir mourprendre prenrecevoir recevvaloir
vaivenire
venvoir
voyvouloir voul-
ALL OTHER FORMS
aillappellcroidoivmeurprennrecoivvaillviennvoiveuill-
b. The following verbs have only one stem:
faire
pouvoir
savoir
fasspuisssach-
82
c. The following verbs have irregular stems and endings:
j’aie
tu aies
il
elle ait
on
je sois
tu sois
il
elle soit
on
AVOIR- to have
nous ayons
vous ayez
ils
elles aient
ETRE- to be
nous soyons
vous soyez
ils
elles soient
B. USAGE of the Sunjunctive
Emotion/ Opinion/ Judgement
ETRE +
heureux(-euse)
content(e)
triste
désolé(e)
f âché(e)
furieux(-euse)
étonné(e)
ravi(e)
surprise(e)
déçu(e)
+ QUE
+ Sujbect
+ Verb in Subjuctive
AVOIR +
peur
+ QUE
+ Sujbect
+ Verb in Subjuctive
+ QUE
+ Subject
+ Verb in Subjuctive
Craindre
Regretter
S’étonner
83
IMPERSONAL EXPRESSIONS
Il est –
C’est +
Ce n’est pas +
bon
triste
étonnant
(in)utile
curieux
bizarre
étrange
honteux
surprenant
important
mauvais
merveilleux
pénible
(in)juste
naturel
regrettable
rare
normal
dommage
la peine
Il suffit
Il vaut mieux
Il convient
+ QUE
+ Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
+ QUE
+Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
+QUE
+ Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
DOUBT/ POSSIBILITIES/ UNCERTAINTY
Douter
+ QUE
+Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
Ne pas être sûr
Ne pas être certain
Ne pas penser
Ne pas croire
Ne pas espérer
+QUE
+Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
Penser
Croire (Interrogative)
Espérer
+QUE
+Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
84
IMPERSONAL EXPRESSIONS
Il est +
douteux
possible
+ QUE
+ Subject
+Verb in Subjuntive
Il se peut
Il semble
Wishes/ Desires
aimer (bien)
désirer
exiger
préférer
souhaiter
vouloir (bien)
+ QUE
+ Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
Necessity/ Obligation
Demander
Insister pour
Empêcher
+QUE
+Subject
85
+ Verb in Subjunctive
IMPERSONAL EXPRESSIONS
Il est +
nécessaire
essential
+QUE
+ Subject
+ Verb in Subjunctive
Il faut absolument
CNJUCTIONS THAT TAKE THE SUBJUNCTIVE
CONJUNCTION (+ subjunctive)
à moins que (+ne) unless
PREPOSITION (+infinitive)
à moins de
sans que
without
sains
à condition que
on the condition
à condition de
afin que
so that
afin de
pour que
in order that
pour
de peur que (+ne)
de crante que (+ne)
for fear that
fir fear that
de peur de
avant que (+ne)
before
en attendant que
waiting fore
de crainte de
avant de
jusqu à ce que
until
en attendant de
--
bien que
quelque
although
although
---
pourvu que
provided that
--