Several French verbs can translate to the English word “seize,” each with distinct nuances. The most common are saisir, s’emparer de, and sauter sur. While they share the general idea of taking hold of something, their usage varies depending on context, intention, and tone. Saisir Saisir is the most neutral and versatile of the three…
French verbs that end in “re” also follow a regular pattern for their conjugation in the present tense and the passé composé. A good example is the verb “vendre,” which means “to sell.” Regular -re verb endings Person Ending je -s tu -s il/elle/on (no ending, just the stem) nous -ons vous -ez ils/elles -ent…
French verbs that end in “ir” follow a regular pattern for their conjugation in the present tense and the passé composé. A good example is the verb “finir,” which means “to finish.” Regular -ir verbs present tense endings Person Ending je -is tu -is il/elle/on -it nous -issons vous -issez ils/elles -issent Finir conjugated Present…
The French past subjunctive is called le subjonctif passé. It is a compound tense used to express uncertainty, emotion, doubt, necessity or possibility about an action that has already been completed. Like the present subjunctive, the past subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses introduced by que. The past subjunctive is formed using the present subjunctive…
The French verb intéresser belongs to the first group of regular verbs ending in -er. It means to interest or to be interested in. Although it resembles the English verb “to interest” in meaning, its grammatical structure differs significantly. 1. To interest someone: To attract someone’s attention or curiosity In this sense, intéresser means to…
The French verb rappeler is a versatile verb with several meanings, depending on whether it is used in its regular (non-reflexive) form or its reflexive form se rappeler. While both forms relate to memory and reminding, they are used in different grammatical structures and carry different meanings. The Non-Reflexive Verb “Rappeler” In its non-reflexive form,…
The French adverb toujours is a deceptively simple word that learners encounter early in their studies. It is most often translated as “always,” but depending on context, it can also mean “still.” These two meanings are not interchangeable, and understanding when toujours means one or the other is essential for mastering everyday French. 1. Toujours…
In French, the word plus can have different meanings depending on whether the final “s” is pronounced or silent. This small pronunciation change can alter the sense of a sentence significantly. When the “s” is pronounced (plus) When the final “s” in plus is pronounced, it generally means “more” or is used in mathematical addition….
French auxiliary verbs, also known as helper verbs, are used alongside main verbs to express tense, mood, or voice. Some of the most common auxiliary verbs in French include aller, vouloir, devoir, savoir, and pouvoir. These verbs modify the meaning of the main verb and are essential for constructing various grammatical structures. Aller (To Go)…
Demonstrative pronouns in French—celui, celle, ceux, celles—replace specific nouns while indicating gender and number. They correspond to English pronouns like “this one,” “that one,” “these,” and “those.” Unlike demonstrative adjectives (which modify nouns), demonstrative pronouns stand alone, referring to something previously mentioned or implied. Rules for Using French Demonstrative Pronouns Celui – Masculine singular Celle…