Tag Archives: french syntax
French Grammar: The *NE* explétive Posted by Hichem on May 31, 2014
*NE*… A two-letter word can be a source of serious confusion for new French learners! What is it exactly? It is un adverbe called the “ne explétif.” When do we use it? Right after some verbs and conjunctions. It is used in situations where the main clause has a negative meaning (in the sense of negation), or expressing situations of warning, doubt…
“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…
French Rap: A Good Way to Learn French Grammar Posted by Hichem on Mar 18, 2013
The idea of mixing up French Rap with French grammar had to come all the way from le Canada… There, a French class teacher thought of a fun and efficient way to teach the rules of thumb of the “PP” to her young students: That would be les Participes Passés (Past Participles.) You can find more about it…
French Grammar: Transitive Verbs of Two Objects Posted by Hichem on Aug 20, 2012
You are already familiar with transitive verbs, meaning verbs that require an object. Now meet the less known breed called “ditransitive verbs.” It may sound complicated at first, but once you know what it stands for, it suddenly becomes très facile: As their name says, these are verbs which need one direct object and one additional object introduced by…