Verbs

  • débarrasser

    The verb “débarrasser” is a regular -er conjugation verb that means “to clear or remove what clutters or obstructs.” It is also used in its pronominal form, “se débarrasser”, which means “to get rid of.” Meaning and Usage Conjugation of “Débarrasser” The verb “débarrasser” follows the regular conjugation pattern of first-group verbs. Present Tense: “Débarrasser”…

  • verbs with à

    In French, certain verbs are always followed by the preposition à before introducing another verb or noun. This construction can be tricky for learners, as the preposition changes the meaning or usage of the verb. 1. Aider à (to help to) 2. S’amuser à (to have fun doing) 3. Apprendre à (to learn to) 4….

  • to get the better of

    The English phrase “to get the better of” is an idiomatic expression that means to gain an advantage over someone or something, or to overcome a challenge or emotion. Translating this phrase into French requires understanding its context, as there is no direct word-for-word equivalent. 1. “Prendre le dessus” This is the most common translation…

  • hypothetical situations in the past

    Regrets & recriminations In French, when expressing regrets (about what could have been) or recriminations (blaming someone for what they should have done), we use the plus-que-parfait in the “si” clause and the past conditional (conditionnel passé) in the result clause. Structure: This construction is used to describe hypothetical situations in the past that did…

  • hypothetical situations

    In French, when expressing hypothetical situations about the present or future, we use the imperfect tense (imparfait) in the “si” clause and the present conditional (conditionnel présent) in the result clause. This structure is used when the condition is contrary to reality or unlikely in the present. The imperfect tense sets up the hypothetical situation,…

  • verbs with de

    The requirement for certain French verbs to be followed by “de” is largely based on historical language development and convention. This preposition often indicates a relationship of origin, separation, or source between the verb and what follows it. 42 most used French verbs requiring “de”: General Rule: The pronoun “en” typically replaces “de + noun”…

  • proposer

    The French Verb Proposer: Meanings, Usage, and Conjugation The French verb proposer is a commonly used verb that translates to “to propose” or “to suggest” in English. It is a regular -er verb, making its conjugation straightforward. It also exists in a pronominal (or reflexive) form, se proposer. Meanings of Proposer The verb proposer has…

  • part vs partie

    The French nouns “la part” and “la partie” both relate to the idea of a portion or a part of something, but they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings. 1. La Part 2. La Partie Key Differences Aspect La Part La Partie Meaning A share, portion, or slice. A section, component, or…

  • mal, maux

    The French word “mal” is versatile and can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. Its meanings vary depending on how it is used, but they generally revolve around the idea of something being wrong, bad, or difficult. Its plural is “maux.” 1. Mal as a Noun 2. Mal as an Adjective 3….

  • dormir, endormir, rendormir

    The French verbs dormir, endormir, and rendormir all relate to sleep but have distinct meanings and uses. They can be used in their transitive, intransitive, or pronominal forms. 1. Dormir (to sleep) Conjugation: Examples: 2. Endormir (to put to sleep, to fall asleep) Conjugation: Examples: 3. Rendormir (to put back to sleep, to fall back…