In French, the most common translations for “according to” are selon and d’après. While they are often interchangeable, there are subtle differences in usage and tone. Other alternatives include suivant and conformément à, depending on context. Selon Etymology: The word selon comes from Old French selonc, derived from the Latin secundum, meaning “following” or “in…
The French word malgré is a preposition meaning “despite” or “in spite of.” It is used to express contrast or opposition between two ideas. Malgré is always followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase, and it is commonly used in both written and spoken French. Basic usage of malgré Malgré introduces a circumstance that…
The French structure de… en… is a prepositional construction that expresses progression, repetition, or gradual transition. Some common equivalents in English include “from… to…,” “more and more…,” or “over time.” This construction typically takes the form de + noun + en + (same or similar) noun, and it can be translated in several ways depending…
The French word “en” is a versatile preposition and pronoun with multiple meanings. Here we examine several of its most important meanings. 1. “In” or “To” a Feminine Country/Region/Continent When referring to locations, “en” means “in” or “to” with feminine countries, regions, and continents. Exception: Masculine countries use “au” (au Canada), and plural countries use…
In French, when an adjective is followed by an infinitive verb, the preposition de is frequently placed between them. This structure creates a direct relationship between the quality expressed by the adjective and the action denoted by the verb. Unlike the noun + de + infinitive construction, this pattern specifically links descriptive qualities to actions….
In French, when a noun is followed by an infinitive verb, the preposition de is placed between them. Examples Key Observations
The French phrase “après que” translates to “after” in English and is used to introduce a subordinate clause indicating that one action follows another. While it may seem simple, its proper use in French involves some grammatical nuances. Key Grammar Rule: Indicative, Not Subjunctive One of the most common mistakes learners make with “après que”…
To refer to being inside or outside of things in French, we use words like dans, hors, dedans, dehors, à l’intérieur, and à l’extérieur, along with related terms like là-dedans and là-dehors. 1. Dans Meaning: Usage: Examples: Etymology: 2. Hors Meaning: Usage: Examples: Etymology: 3. Dedans Meaning: Usage: Examples: Là-dedans Examples: Etymology: 4. Dehors Meaning:…
When talking about going “in” or “to” a country in French, the preposition you use depends on the gender of the country’s name and its first letter. French countries are either masculine or feminine, and this gender affects the choice of preposition. General rules List of feminine countries Masculine countries ending in a consonant Masculine…
The phrase “au milieu de” is a common French prepositional phrase that literally translates to “in the middle of” or “amid.” It consists of three parts: the preposition “à” combined with the definite article “le” (contracted to “au”), the noun “milieu,” and the preposition “de.” Usage and Meanings: 1. Physical Location The most straightforward use…