The article with the list of important irregular verbs in French has just been updated. New information has been added. Errors have been corrected. If you haven’t already read it, it’s worth checking out. I suggest you memorise at least the first nine (9) verbs on the list. These are être, avoir, faire, aller, venir, devoir, pouvoir, vouloir and savoir.
Read the article at this link.
French uses reflexive pronouns such as me, te, se, nous, vous, se not only for reflexive meaning, but also for reciprocal meaning. In a reciprocal construction, two or more people act on each other. In a reflexive construction, the subject acts on itself. The French word for “reciprocal” is réciproque. The form is the same…
Two French verbs that often cause confusion among learners are “prévoir” and “prévenir.” Despite their similar spellings, these verbs carry distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. “Prévoir” is a verb that translates to “to foresee” or “to predict” in English. It is used when someone anticipates or plans for something in the future….
Despite its name, the “ne explétif” has nothing to do with the English word “expletive,” which refers to a swear word or exclamation. Instead, “explétif” in French comes from the Latin expletivus, meaning “to fill.” The “ne explétif” is essentially a stylistic or grammatical marker that has no direct effect on the meaning of a…
The French saying “violon d’Ingres” literally translates as “violin of Ingres.” What it really means is “hobby,” “pastime,” or “an activity that you enjoy outside your main job.” Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was a 19th century painter who created a number of famous works, including Grande Baigneuse (1808), Oedipus and the Sphinx (1808), and La Grande Odalisque…
The English word “could” expresses several distinct ideas, including past ability, successful past opportunity, present or future possibility, polite suggestion, permission, hypothesis, and unreal past events. French does not have a single equivalent. Translation depends on function and context, most commonly using forms of pouvoir, the conditional mood, or other structures. Past ability in general…
The most direct translation of “It’s not my fault” in French is Ce n’est pas ma faute. It is used in the same way as in English, to deny responsibility or to say that something is beyond your control. The basic expression Ce n’est pas ma faute literally means “It is not my fault.” Examples:…