Tag Archives: French grammar
*Plus* de grammaire française (More French Grammar) Posted by Hichem on Jan 17, 2014
There is one French word that gives quite a hard time to the new learners of the language on how to properly pronounce it: It is *PLUS* Indeed, one can sometimes hear it pronounced it as “PLUSS” (with the “s” sound), and other times as “PLU” (without the “s” sound.) So, how do we tell the…
Classical French Grammar 101! Posted by Hichem on Nov 24, 2013
We’ve already covered tougher topics in French grammar, not the least of which was le subjonctif. Today, we invite you to Review with us les bases… It sure doesn’t get more “classical” in French grammar than the subject of les classes grammaticales (Grammatical Classes.) In French, as in any other language, in order to fully grasp the meaning of a sentence, it is essential to…
“Tricky” French Conjugation: The Verb ALLER (To Go) Posted by Hichem on Apr 25, 2013
One of the trickiest verbs to conjugate for the new learners of French language is hands-down ALLER (To Go) Unlike other verbs, aller can in some cases transform itself in a seemingly different verb, as in “il va” or “j‘irai.” Obviously, the best way not to make any mistake with this verb is to simply memorize its…
French Phrases as Space and Time Adverbs Posted by Hichem on Mar 21, 2013
In French, like in any other language, the goal of adverbs is always the same: To modify la signification (the meaning) of words, phrases, and sentences. Let’s take this example: Le scénario de ce film est magnifiquement écrit. (The plot of this movie is magnificently written.) Here the adverb magnifiquement is a word, and it serves to modify the adjective écrit. * * * In…
How to Pronounce *PLUS* in French Posted by Hichem on Mar 1, 2013
New French learners often get confused about how to properly pronounce some words en français. One such French word is *PLUS.* Indeed, one can sometimes hear French speakers pronounce it as “PLUSS” (with the “s“), and other times as “PLU” (without the “s.”) So, how to tell the difference? L’astuce (the trick) is actually quite easy…
How to Conjugate the French Verb Vivre Posted by Hichem on Nov 13, 2012
“Vivre” (“To Live”) is a must-know French verb. It can be tricky to conjugate, because in some cases it can be confused with the verb voir (to see): “Je vis” (I live) and “je vis” (“I saw”), in which case context becomes your best friend! It is conjugated the same way as revivre (to live something again), survivre…
How to Easily Understand the French “Passé Composé” Posted by Hichem on Nov 1, 2012
We’ll try in today’s post to shed some light on the different uses of a special French grammatical tense called “le passé composé” —That way, you won’t be feeling too “tense” about it anymore! Actually, linguists nowadays prefer to speak of a “tiroir verbal” (literally “verbal drawer”) instead of un temps grammatical. And what was called for…