Abbreviations

adj. adjective m. pl. masculine plural

f. or fem. feminine pl. plural

fam. familiar, colloquial pol. polite

inf. infinitive s. or sing. singular

inv. invariable s.o./qqun someone/quelqu'un

m. or masc. masculine s.th./qqch something/quelque

f. pl. feminine plural chose

Acknowledgments

Warm thanks to my editors Garret Lemoi and Christopher Brown, as well

as to Jenn Tust, Debbie Anderson, Maki Wiering, and Pamela Juárez at

McGraw-Hill Professional, and to Barbara Bregstein, who initiated the Easy

series. To Leon, I'm more grateful than I can express, for your patient sup-

port and tech help.

Guide to Pronunciation

Easy French Step-by-Step occasionally includes guides to help you pronounce certain word combinations. When you read them out loud, pronounce them as you would words and syllables in English.

French has several sounds not found in English. They are what make French sound like French! You will see the symbols that represent these special sounds in the Pronunciation columns below, in brackets. Some are printed in capital letters, which will help you spot them easily.

xiv Preface

Vowels

Vowels are shown here both with and without accent marks, an important part of French spelling.

The sounds of French vowels are clear and short, generally placed for-

ward in the mouth. With few exceptions, final consonants of French words

are silent.

Letters

and Combinations Pronunciation

a, à, â [ah]

ai [ay]

eau, au, aux [oh]

é, er, ez, es, et [ay]

(closed e)

è, ê, e followed by [eh]

double consonants,

and final -et (open e)

e in one-syllable words, [uh]

and in eu, œu (cf. œufs)

eur, œu, œur [ERR]

i, î, and y as a pronoun [ee]

ill (with double ll) [eel]

Final o, o before s, [oh]

and ô (closed o)

o before consonants [uh]

(not s) (open o)

ou, où, oû [oo]

Examples and Tips

sa, là, pâte

j'ai, mais

eau, auto, jaune, aux, bateaux pré, parler, parlez, mes, et

chèvre, tête, belle, appelle,

effet

le, que, de, peu, œufs, bleu

To say the sound [uh], hold your tongue as if to make the [ay]

sound and round your lips as if to make the [oh] sound.

chanteur, leur, sœur, œuf,

œuvre, heure

When followed by r or another sounded consonant, this is a more "open" version of the sound [uh]. cri, fil, ils, île, il y a

Pronounced [eel] only in

ville, village, mille, million,

and tranquille. Otherwise the

ill combination contains a

semi-vowel (see below).

vélo, zoo, roses, hôtel, môme

bonne, monnaie, homme sou, où, goûtez, foule

Preface xv

or [uhR]

u (single u), û [U]

Semi-Vowels

port, accord, sorbet, ordre

tu, rue, jupe, flûte

To pronounce [U], hold your

tongue as if to make the [ee]

sound, and round your lips as if to make the [oh] sound.

Semi-vowels are written vowel combinations that are pronounced in a single

syllable.

Letters

and Combinations Pronunciation Examples and Tips

ill, ail, eil [eey], [ahy], fille, famille, travail,

[ayy] Marseille

ie, i, and y (not final) [y] bien, science, voyage, nation,

croyez

oi, ua [wah] moi, quoi, revoir, fois, guano

oui [wee] oui

ui, ue, ua [Uee], huit, fruit, muet, suave

[Uay], [Uah] This semi-vowel contains the

single u sound [U]. (See Vowels

section for pronunciation of [U].)

Nasal Vowels

French has several "nasalized" vowels, spelled with the letter combina-

tions a, e, i, y, o plus the letters n or m (examples: fin, manteau, mon,

symbole).

The nasalized combinations appear at the end of a syllable or a word, or

are followed by a silent or sounded consonant (examples: flan, montagne,

lent).

Pronounce the nasal vowels as a single sound through your mouth and nose at the same time.

The letters n or m are not pronounced in a nasal combination. But they are pronounced when immediately followed by a vowel (examples: fine, guano) or when the n or m is doubled (examples: homme, bonne).

xvi Preface

Letters

and Combinations Pronunciation Examples and Tips

an, am, en, em [An] dans, lampe, trente, exemple

en, in, un, ym, im, yn, [In] bien, matin, vingt, un,

ain, aim, ein sympathique, train, faim,

plein

on, om [On] bonbon, son, combien,

fondation

Consonants

Many French consonant sounds (for example: b, c, d, f, k, l, m, n, p, t, v, z) closely resemble their English counterparts.

Pronounce the consonants forward in your mouth, and always try to avoid making plosive sounds (puffs of air), particularly with b, p, and t.

Here are several consonant sounds specific to French. Some variants are

the same as in English (for example, "hard" c [k], "hard" g [g], and qu [k]. Sounds not listed here are pronounced nearly like English.

Letters

and Combinations Pronunciation Examples and Tips

c, cc before a, o, u, or [k] court, chacun, accord, classe

a consonant

c before i, e, y, and [s] merci, cercle, cyclisme,

the letter ç François

ch [sh] chose, machine

g before a, o, u, or [g] glace, gare

a consonant

g before e, i, y [zh] Georges, gigot

j [zh] bonjour, joli, jardin

gn [ny] montagne, peigner

h - The letter h is always silent in

French. Some words starting

with h don't elide articles or

pronouns (examples: le héros,

le hasard).

qu, q [k] quelquefois, cinq

r, rr [R] riche, bizarre, original

The French r (as in bonjour,

Robert) is normally pronounced at the back of the throat, with a slight gargling sound.

Preface xvii

s, initial or double s,

t in -tion, final x

s between two vowels

or in -sion

th

x before a consonant

x before a vowel

Pronunciation Tips

[s] salut, fausse, nation, six, dix

[z] mademoiselle, excursion

[t] Thomas, thé

The English "lisp" th does not

exist in French.

[ehks] excellent, expression

[ehg] examen, exemple

• When you speak, remember to keep vowel sounds and all syllables short

and clear.

• Syllables in French are considered part of an utterance, not part of a word.

Syllables start with a consonant: les idées [lay-zee-day], vous allez

[voo-zah-lay]. Words in a phrase and successive words in a sentence are

usually linked.

• French sounds, except for the "gargled" sound of r [R], are farther for-

ward in the mouth than English.

• There is a slight "fall" or descending intonation on the last word of a sen-

tence or syllable of a word.

• In yes/no questions, intonation rises slightly (Tu arrives?). It tends to fall

slightly at the end of information questions (Comment allez-vous?).

Greetings

Bonjour, Mademoiselle.

(Madame/Monsieur)

Salut, ça va?

Ça va bien./Ça va mal.

Comment allez-vous?

Comment vas-tu?

Très bien, merci, et vous (et toi)? Pas mal, merci, et vous (et toi)? Comme ci, comme ça.

Bonsoir.

Bonne nuit.

Hello,/Good morning, Miss.

(Madam, Ma'am/Sir)

Hi!/Hi there! How's it going? (fam.) It's going well./It's going badly. How are you? (pol.)

How are you? (fam.)

Fine, thanks. And you?

Not bad, thanks. And you? So-so.

Good evening.

Good night. (when departing)

xviii Preface

Je m'appelle Suzanne.

Comment vous appelez-vous? Je m'appelle David.

Enchanté(e).

Merci beaucoup.

De rien.

Au revoir.

À bientôt.

My name is Suzanne.

What's your name?

My name is David.

Pleased to meet you.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Good-bye.

See you soon.

I

First Elements

of French

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1

Nouns, Articles, and

Descriptive Adjectives

Gender and Number of Nouns and Articles

A noun is a person, place, or thing. In French, all nouns are masculine or feminine (gender) and singular or plural (number). The French definite article is used more frequently than the is used in English.

The Definite Article

The French definite article agrees with the noun in gender and number.

Singular Plural

Masculine le les

Feminine la les

Masculine and feminine l' les

before a vowel sound

or mute h

Masculine Nouns

Masculine singular nouns take the definite article le. The genders of French

nouns are hard to guess. You will learn them as you go along. Pronounce the

following nouns with their article. Refer to the Guide to Pronunciation as

needed.

le chat (the cat)

le chien (the dog)

le cinéma (the cinema, film, movies)

le cours (the course, class)

le football (soccer)

3

le frère (the brother)

le garçon (the boy)

le livre (the book)

le téléphone (the telephone)

le vin (the wine)

4 First Elements of French

Feminine Nouns

Feminine singular nouns take the definite article la.

la banque (the bank) la lampe (the lamp)

la boutique (the store, shop) la langue (the language)

la chemise (the shirt) la sœur (the sister)

la femme (the woman, wife) la table (the table)

la jeune fille (the girl) la voiture (the car)

Many feminine nouns end in -e, but please don't consider this a general

rule. The nouns in the following list do not end in -e; however, they are all

feminine.

Most final consonants are silent in French. In the list below, only the final -r is sounded.

la chaleur (heat, warmth) la forêt (the forest)

la croix (the cross) la fourmi (the ant)

la distraction (the amusement) la main (the hand)

la fleur (the flower) la nuit (the night)

la fois (the time [occasion]) la radio (the radio)

Masculine and Feminine Articles Before a Vowel Sound or Mute h

The definite article l' is used before all singular nouns, maculine and feminine, starting with a vowel or a mute (non-aspirate) h. The -e or -a of the definite article is dropped (elided). When the noun starts with h, pronounce the vowel that follows the h.

Learn the gender (m. or f.) in parentheses for each noun. When you be-

gin to attach adjectives to nouns, it will be easier to remember their gender.

l'ami (m.) the friend (m.)

l'amie (f.) the friend (f.)

l'anglais (m.) English (language) l'architecte (m. or f.) the architect l'emploi (m.) the job

l'énergie (f.) energy

l'enfant (m. or f.) the child (m. or f.)

l'histoire (f.) the story, history

l'homme (m.) the man

l'hôtel (m.) the hotel

l'île (f.) the island

l'orange (f.) the orange (fruit) l'université (f.) the university l'usine (f.) the factory

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 5

Singular Nouns and the Definite Article

The definite article indicates a specific person, place, thing, or idea. It also precedes nouns that are used in a general sense.

C'est l'amie de ma mère. That's (She's) my mother's friend.

Les Français adorent le football The French love soccer and

et le cyclisme. cycling.

Le, la, and l'

Remember: Le is used with masculine singular nouns beginning with a consonant; la is used with feminine singular nouns beginning with a consonant; and l' is used with both masculine and feminine singular nouns beginning with a vowel and for most nouns beginning with the letter h.

The Initial Letter h

The letter h is always silent in French. Words starting with the letter h- l'homme, for example-are pronounced beginning with the first vowel sound. This is called a mute h.

However, in front of some French words starting with h, for historical reasons, the article does not elide the -e or -a. For example:

la *harpe the harp la *honte shame

le *héros the hero le *hors-d'œuvre the appetizer

This is called an aspirate h. This h is also a silent letter; it is not pronounced. French dictionaries show the aspirate h with a diacritical mark. In this book, words beginning with an aspirate h are indicated by an asterisk (*).

Learning the Gender of Nouns

Gender is linked to the noun word, rarely to the physical thing or the per-

son. Always learn the gender of a noun with its article: le livre (the book),

la fenêtre (the window). Genders of nouns starting with a vowel need to be

memorized separately: l'âge (m.) (age), l'hôtel (m.) (the hotel), l'horloge (f.)

(the clock).

Several rules can help you guess if a French noun is masculine or feminine:

• Nouns that refer to males are usually masculine; nouns that refer to

females are usually feminine: l'homme (m.) (the man); la femme (the

woman).

6 First Elements of French

• The ending of a noun can be a clue to its gender. Here are some common

masculine and feminine endings. Be aware of cognate nouns, which are

close to English in spelling and meaning.

Masculine

-eau le bureau, le château

-isme le tourisme, l'idéalisme

-ment le moment, le département

Feminine

-ence la différence, l'existence

-ie la tragédie, la compagnie

-ion la nation, la fonction

-té l'université, la diversité

-ude l'attitude, la solitude

-ure la littérature, l'ouverture

Watch out for exceptions: l'eau (f.) (water), la peau (skin), le silence

(silence).

• Nouns adopted from other languages are usually masculine: le jogging,

le tennis, le jazz, le basket-ball. Exception: la pizza.

• Some nouns referring to people indicate gender by their ending. The

feminine form often ends in -e.

l'Allemand the German (m.) l'Allemande the German (f.)

l'Américain the American (m.) l'Américaine the American (f.)

l'ami the friend (m.) l'amie the friend (f.)

l'étudiant the student (m.) l'étudiante the student (f.)

le Français the Frenchman la Française the Frenchwoman

Note that final d, n, s, and t are silent in the masculine form, as in the

examples above. When followed by -e in the feminine form, d, n, s, and

t are pronounced.

• Some nouns that end in -e and the names of some professions have

only one singular form, used to refer to both males and females. In this

case, the article remains the same whether the actual person is male or

female.

l'auteur (m.) (the author) la personne (the person)

l'écrivain (m.) (the writer) le professeur (the teacher, professor)

l'ingénieur (m.) (the engineer) la sentinelle (the guard, watchman)

le médecin (the physician) la victime (the victim)

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 7

Evolving Style

In contemporary Canadian French and among some other French speakers, you may also see or read a feminine form for a few traditional professions (la professeure, l'écrivaine, l'auteure).

For learners, however, it's best to continue using the masculine forms of these nouns to refer to both males and females.

• For certain nouns referring to people, the gender of the individual is

sometimes indicated by the article alone. Such nouns most often end in

-e; the spelling of the noun does not change when the gender changes.

le journaliste/la journaliste the journalist

le secrétaire/la secrétaire the secretary

le touriste/la touriste the tourist

Exercise 1.1

Write the appropriate singular definite article for each of the nouns. Pronounce each

word in French as you write the answer, making sure you know its meaning.

1. ami 8. publicité

2. homme 9. comédie

3. lampe 10. différence

4. fenêtre 11. médecin

5. hôtel 12. sculpture

6. réalisme 13. prononciation

7. ingénieur 14. gâteau

The Indefinite Article

The singular indefinite article in French, corresponding to a (an) in English,

is un for masculine nouns and une for feminine nouns. The plural of both

forms is des, roughly equivalent to some (though it's usually not translated as

some). Depending on the context, un/une can also mean the number one.

8 First Elements of French

Singular Plural

Masculine un des

Feminine une des

Masculine Nouns

Pronounce the examples, learning the gender of each noun along with its article. The indefinite article is the same for nouns beginning with a consonant or a vowel.

un ami a friend (m.)

un autobus a bus

un billet a ticket

un dictionnaire a dictionary

un fauteuil an easy chair

Feminine Nouns

un hôtel an hotel

un jardin a garden

un musée a museum

un pianiste a pianist (m.)

un salon a living room

Pronounce the following examples and learn the meaning of words new to

you. A practical way to learn the gender of a noun is to link it with un or

une.

une amie a friend (f.) une librairie a bookstore

une bibliothèque a library une mère a mother

une héroïne a heroine une page a (book) page

une *Hollandaise a Dutchwoman une valise a suitcase

une leçon a lesson une ville a city

Note that l'héroïne (f.) (unlike le *héros) is pronounced with a mute

h and elides its definite article. The h of le *héros is an aspirate h (no

elision).

Plural Nouns

The plural definite article of all nouns is les; the plural indefinite article is des. Most French nouns are made plural by adding an -s to the singular. In addition, note the following plural endings:

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 9

• Nouns that end in -s, -x, or -z in the singular stay the same in the plural.

un choix des choix a choice, (some) choices

le cours les cours the course, the courses

le nez les nez the nose, the noses

• Some plural noun endings are irregular.

le bureau les bureaux the desk (or office), the desks (or offices)

un hôpital des hôpitaux a hospital, (some) hospitals

le lieu les lieux the place, the places

le travail les travaux (the) work, the tasks (or jobs)

• The masculine form is always used to refer to a group (two or more peo-

ple) that includes at least one male.

un étudiant et six étudiantes des étudiants students

un Français et une Française des Français French (people)

Pronouncing the Plural

The final -s is usually not pronounced in French:

les touristes [lay too-Reest]

Spoken French distinguishes most singular and plural nouns by the pronunciation of the definite article:

le touriste [luh too-Reest] versus les touristes [lay too-Reest]

When the -s of a plural article (les or des) is followed by a vowel sound, it

is pronounced [z] and begins the following syllable; this is called a liaison:

les exercices (m.) [lay-zehg-zehR-sees]; des hommes (m.) [day-zuhm]

There is no liaison with the aspirate h. Pronounce the nasal vowel un [In] before un *héros [In ay-Roh], and do not make the liaison with -s in les *héros [lay ay-Roh]. Pronounce the following out loud:

10 First Elements of French

des artistes [day-zahr-teest]

les cafés [lay kah-fay]

des étudiants

[day-zay-tU-dyAn]

les hommes [lay-zuhm]

des *hors-d'œuvre [day

uhr-dERR-vR]

les restaurants [lay Rehs-toh-RAn]

NOTE: The word les (or des) *hors-d'œuvre is invariable in the plural; it has

no final -s.

Exercise 1.2

Write the plural form of each singular noun. Make sure you know its meaning.

1. une artiste

2. un *hors-d'œuvre

3. le milieu

4. l'étudiante

5. un Français

6. un café

7. le chapeau (hat)

8. l'eau

9. la fenêtre

10. un choix

11. une préférence

12. le travail

13. le nez

14. un cours

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 11

Exercise 1.3

Pronounce the nouns with their articles, then write the English equivalent. If the

gender is not clear from the spelling, show it by writing m. or f.

1. la fenêtre

2. le cyclisme

3. les hôpitaux

4. une sentinelle

5. les écrivains

6. les amies

7. des chapeaux

8. le travail

9. des choix

10. un cours

11. des *hors-d'œuvre

12. des hommes

13. la peau

14. l'Allemande

15. les livres

16. un lieu

17. des histoires

18. une horloge

19. des gâteaux

20. la femme

Descriptive Adjectives

Descriptive adjectives are used to describe nouns. In French, descriptive

adjectives usually follow the nouns they modify. Descriptive adjectives may

also follow forms of the verb être (to be): il/elle est... (he/she/it is . . . ); ils/

elles sont... (they are . . . ). See Chapter 2 for the conjugation of the verb

être.

12 First Elements of French

un professeur intéressant an interesting teacher

un ami sincère a sincere friend

Il est pratique. He/It is practical.

Elle est sportive. She is athletic.

Agreement of Adjectives in Gender and Number

In French, adjectives agree in both gender and number with the nouns they modify. The feminine form of adjectives usually ends in -e. The regular plural adds an s.

Singular Plural

Masculine un ami intelligent des amis intelligents

Feminine une amie intelligente des amies intelligentes

• If the masculine singular form of the adjective ends in an unaccented or

silent -e, the ending remains the same in the feminine singular.

C'est un homme extraordinaire. He's an extraordinary man.

C'est une femme extraordinaire. She's an extraordinary woman.

Paul est optimiste. Paul is optimistic.

Mais Claire est pessimiste. But Claire is pessimistic.

• If the singular form of an adjective ends in -s or -x, the plural ending

remains the same.

Bradley est anglais; les amis Bradley is English; Bradley's

de Bradley sont aussi anglais. friends are also English.

M. Blin est généreux; ses (his) Mr. Blin is generous; his children

enfants sont aussi généreux. are also generous.

• If a plural subject or group contains one or more masculine items or

people, the plural adjective is masculine.

Suzanne et Georges Suzanne and Georges are

sont intelligents. intelligent.

Suzanne et Amélie sont Suzanne and Amélie are

intelligentes. intelligent.

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 13

• Invariable adjectives or adjectival phrases do not change in gender or

number.

Ce sont des chaussures chic These are stylish and inexpensive

et bon marché. shoes.

• Some descriptive adjectives have irregular forms.

Singular

MASCULINE FEMININE ENGLISH

conservateur conservatrice conservative

courageux courageuse courageous

fier fière proud

gentil gentille nice

naturel naturelle natural

parisien parisienne Parisian

sportif sportive athletic

travailleur travailleuse hardworking

Plural

MASCULINE FEMININE ENGLISH

conservateurs conservatrices conservative

courageux courageuses courageous

fiers fières proud

gentils gentilles nice

naturels naturelles natural

parisiens parisiennes Parisian

sportifs sportives athletic

travailleurs travailleuses hardworking

Other descriptive adjectives with irregular forms include the following

examples:

canadien (canadienne) Canadian

cher (chère) expensive; dear

conspirateur (conspiratrice) conspiratorial

ennuyeux (ennuyeuse) boring

naïf (naïve) naïve

paresseux (paresseuse) lazy

sérieux (sérieuse) serious

14 First Elements of French

Adjectives of Color

Adjectives of color normally follow the noun and agree with it in gender and

in number.

une chemise bleue a blue shirt

des livres gris gray books

des chaussures vertes green shoes

• Two adjectives of color, blanc and violet, have irregular feminine

forms.

un crayon blanc a white pencil

une chemise blanche a white shirt

des cahiers violets purple notebooks

des voitures violettes purple cars

• Adjectives of color ending in silent -e are spelled the same in both mas-

culine and feminine.

des cahiers (m. pl.) jaunes yellow notebooks

des fleurs (f. pl.) jaunes yellow flowers

une chaise rouge a red chair

un manteau rouge a red coat

des pull-overs (m. pl.) roses pink sweaters

des chaussettes (f. pl.) roses pink socks

• Two adjectives of color, marron and orange, are invariable in gender

and number.

des chaussures marron (f. pl.) brown shoes

des sacs orange (m. pl.) orange handbags

• The names of colors are masculine when used as nouns.

J'aime le rose et le bleu. I love pink and blue.

Adjectives That Precede the Noun

Most descriptive adjectives follow the noun, but these adjectives usually

precede it:

autre other joli(e) pretty

beau (m. s.) beautiful, handsome mauvais(e) bad

bon(ne) good même same

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 15

grand(e) big, tall; great nouveau (m. s.) new

gros(se) fat, big petit(e) small; short

jeune young vieux (m. s.) old

• The adjectives beau (beautiful, handsome), nouveau (new), and vieux

(old) are irregular. In addition, each has a second masculine singular

form that is used before a vowel sound or mute h.

Singular Plural

Masculine beau beaux

un nouveau livre de nouveaux livres

vieux vieux

Masculine bel beaux

Before Vowel un nouvel objet de nouveaux objets

Sound vieil vieux

Feminine belle belles

une nouvelle auto de nouvelles autos

vieille vieilles

Pronounce the examples below, and practice by substituting other nouns

for maison and homme. What changes do you need to make in the ar-

ticles and adjectives?

C'est une belle maison. It's a pretty house.

C'est un vieil homme. He's an old man.

C'est le nouveau professeur. That's the new teacher.

• When a plural adjective precedes a plural noun, the indefinite article des

usually shortens to de/d', as you may have noticed in the previous chart.

de grandes autos (some) big cars

de nouvelles idées (some) new ideas

d'autres amis (some) other friends

However, colloquial French often retains des before the plural.

Ce sont des bons copains! They're good pals!

• A few adjectives that usually precede nouns can also follow them. This

change of position causes a change in meaning. For example:

un ancien professeur (a former teacher)

une maison ancienne (an ancient [very old] house)

le dernier exercice (the final exercise)

16 First Elements of French

l'année dernière (f.) (last year)

un pauvre garçon (an unfortunate boy)

un garçon pauvre (a poor [not rich] boy)

une chère amie (a dear friend)

un repas cher (an expensive meal)

Key Vocabulary

Learn these common adjectives to answer the question: Comment est... ? (What is . . . like?) when you want to describe something or someone. Answer with Il est.../Elle est... (He/She/It is . . .).

Les adjectifs descriptifs (Descriptive Adjectives)

agréable (pleasant) heureux (-euse) (happy)

avare (stingy) idéaliste (idealistic)

beau (bel, belle) (beautiful/handsome) intelligent(e) (intelligent)

bon (bonne) (good) intéressant(e) (interesting)

bon marché (inv.) (inexpensive) jeune (young)

cher (chère) (expensive; dear) joli(e) (pretty)

chic (inv.) (stylish, chic) laid(e) (ugly)

content(e) (happy, pleased) mauvais(e) (bad)

costaud(e) (sturdy [person]) mince (thin)

dernier (-ière) (last, final) nouveau/nouvel/nouvelle (new)

désolé(e) (sorry) pauvre (poor)

difficile (difficult) petit(e) (small; short)

drôle (funny) premier (-ière) (first)

excellent(e) (excellent) riche (rich)

facile (easy) sincère (sincere)

fantastique (wonderful) sociable (friendly)

fatigué(e) (tired) sympathique (nice)

formidable (fabulous) timide (shy, timid)

fort(e) (strong) triste (sad)

grand(e) (big, tall; great) typique (typical)

gros(se) (fat) vieux/vieil/vieille (old)

Les couleurs (Colors)

blanc(he) (white) blond(e) (blond[e])

bleu(e) (blue) brun(e) (dark-haired)

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 17

gris(e) (gray) rose (pink)

jaune (yellow) rouge (red)

marron (inv.) (brown) vert(e) (green)

noir(e) (black) violet(te) (purple)

orange (inv.) (orange)

Exercise 1.4

Write the feminine singular form of the adjectives given.

1. intéressant 11. cher

2. naïf 12. conservateur

3. agréable 13. beau

4. sérieux 14. gros

5. jaune 15. actif

6. marron 16. gentil

7. bleu 17. travailleur

8. costaud 18. drôle

9. fier 19. vieux

10. chic 20. heureux

Exercise 1.5

Complete the phrases with the correct adjective that agrees in gender and number.

1. le (old) homme

2. la situation (difficult)

3. la (beautiful) maison

4. la personne (nice)

5. les fleurs (yellow)

6. des amis (sincere)

7. un (great) homme

18 First Elements of French

8. une voiture

9. d'

10. des appartements

11. une comédie

12. un livre

Key Vocabulary

(ancient)

(former) professeurs

(inexpensive)

(funny)

(interesting)

In French, names of all languages are masculine. They often correspond to the masculine singular form of the noun of nationality: l'anglais (m.) (the English language); l'Anglaise (the Englishwoman). Adjectives of nationality and languages are not capitalized, but nouns are.

Les nationalités (Nationalities)

ADJECTIFS PERSONNES

allemand(e) (German) un(e) Allemand(e)

américain(e) un(e) Américain(e)

anglais(e) (English) un(e) Anglais(e)

belge (Belgian) un(e) Belge

LANGUES

l'allemand

l'anglais

l'anglais

le français, le flamand

canadien(ne)

chinois(e)

espagnol(e) (Spanish) français(e) (French) haïtien(ne)

israélien(ne)

italien(ne)

japonais(e)

libanais(e) (Lebanese)

un(e) Canadien(ne) l'anglais, le français

un(e) Chinois(e) le chinois

un(e) Espagnol(e) l'espagnol

un(e) Français(e) le français

un(e) Haïtien(ne) le français, le créole

un(e) Israélien(ne) l'hébreu

un(e) Italien(ne) l'italien

un(e) Japonais(e) le japonais

un(e) Libanais(e) l'arabe

marocain(e) (Moroccan) un(e) Marocain(e)

mexicain(e) un(e) Mexicain(e)

russe (Russian) un(e) Russe

sénégalais(e) un(e) Sénégalais(e)

suisse un(e) Suisse

l'arabe, le français

l'espagnol

le russe

le français, le wolof

l'allemand, le français,

l'italien, le romanche

vietnamien(ne) un(e) Vietnamien(ne) le vietnamien,

le français

Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives 19

Exercise 1.6

Write the plural form of each of the noun-adjective phrases.

1. une lampe bleue

2. un ami sérieux

3. le chat gris

4. une Suisse sympathique

5. une personne costaude

6. le bel appartement

7. un jeune garçon

8. un examen difficile

9. le dernier train

10. le quartier ancien

Exercise 1.7

Translate the phrases into French.

1. the dark-haired men

2. the kind woman

3. (some) red shoes

4. the old hotels

5. the beautiful apartments

6. the interesting courses

7. the courageous heroes

8. the rich appetizers

9. (some) expensive cars

10. (some) idealistic Americans

11. the great universities

12. (some) new books

20 First Elements of French

13. the orange hats

14. (some) sad tragedies

15. the hardworking teachers

16. (some) proud people (persons)

2

The Verbs être and avoir,

Subject Pronouns,

and Negation

The Verb

The verb in French is the most important element of a statement or question, since it conveys so much information: the person, the action or state, and the time of the action.

An infinitive is the unconjugated form of the verb. For example, to be is an English infinitive. French infinitives are single words; they do not contain the element to.

Conjugations are the verb forms that belong to particular subjects. I am and he is are conjugations of the English infinitive to be.

The Verbs être (to be) and avoir (to have)

Être (to be) and avoir (to have) are the most common French verbs. It makes sense to learn them first. You will find être and avoir everywhere: in descriptions, in idiomatic expressions, as linking verbs, and as helping (auxiliary) verbs in compound tenses.

Like many common French verbs, être and avoir are irregular-with

special conjugation patterns. You will begin to learn regular verbs in Chap-

ter 3.

Je suis américain. I am American.

Nous avons deux enfants. We have two children.

21

22 First Elements of French

Être and Subject Pronouns

All verb conjugations in French have six "persons." Three are singular, corresponding to: I, you (familiar), and he/she/it/one. Three are plural, corresponding to: we, you (pol. singular, and fam. or pol. plural), and they. The verb être has six different conjugated forms:

Present Tense of être (to be)

SINGULAR

1st Person je suis I am

2nd Person tu es you are (fam.)

3rd Person il est he/it is

elle est she/it is

on est one is, we/they are

PLURAL

1st Person nous sommes we are

2nd Person vous êtes you are (pol. s.; fam./pol. pl.)

3rd Person ils sont they (m. pl.) are

elles sont they (f. pl.) are

Subject Pronouns

As in English, conjugated forms of French verbs are preceded by one of the following:

• A common noun (a person, animal, place, thing, or idea)

• A proper noun (a name)

• Or a subject pronoun (a word used in place of a noun)

Subject Pronouns

PERSON SINGULAR PLURAL

1st je/j' I nous we

2nd tu you (fam.) vous you (pol. s.; fam./pol. pl.)

3rd il he/it (m.) ils they (m. pl. or mixed)

elle she/it (f.) elles they (f. pl.)

on one/we/they

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 23

Gender and Number

Remember that all French nouns have gender and number: Every noun is

either masculine or feminine (le livre, la table), and either singular or plural (l'hôtel [m.], les hôtels).

The subject pronoun of a conjugated verb corresponds to the gender and number of the noun (a person or thing) that it replaces.

La table est dans le salon. The table is in the living room.

Elle (La table) est dans le salon. It is in the living room.

Context will help you determine the person or object the subject pronoun refers to.

Uses of Subject Pronouns

Conjugated verb forms in French are always preceded by a noun or a subject pronoun.

Verb Forms Without Subjects

Verb infinitives, commands (or imperatives; covered in Chapter 11), and

present participles (Chapter 12) do not include a noun subject or a subject

pronoun.

• To avoid repetition, the subject pronoun often replaces a noun.

Richard est en ville. Richard is downtown.

Il est au cinéma. He is at the movies.

Mes sœurs sont en voyage. My sisters are on a trip.

Elles sont à Lille. They're in Lille.

• Je (I). In French, je is capitalized only when it begins a sentence. Like

the definite articles le and la, je drops (elides) the letter -e before a

vowel sound. It is replaced by an apostrophe and closed up to the conju-

gated verb.

Je suis content; j'ai un I am happy; I have a new job.

nouveau travail.

• Tu and vous (you). Tu (with its verb form) is always singular. It is used

to speak to one person who is a friend or relative, to a child, or to a pet.

Vous is used to speak to someone you don't know well or to anyone with

whom you have a relationship of respect, for example, strangers, new

24 First Elements of French

acquaintances, salespeople, or professionals. The plural of both tu and

vous is vous (with its conjugated verb form).

Sylvie, tu es étudiante?

Pardon, Madame, vous êtes

la mère de Sylvie?

Attention les enfants! Vous

êtes prêts?

Do as the Natives Do

Sylvie, are you a student?

Excuse me, Ma'am, are you

Sylvie's mother?

Children! Are you ready?

As you get to know a native speaker of French, a good rule of thumb for the nonnative is to wait until your new friend addresses you with tu, before starting to use tu with him or her.

• Il and ils; elle and elles. The English subject pronouns he, she, it (singu-

lar), and they (plural) are expressed by il or ils (for masculine nouns) and

elle or elles (for feminine nouns).

Elles sont formidables! They (fem. persons or things)

are fantastic!

Il est drôle. He/It (The puppy[?]) is funny.

The plural ils (they, m. pl.) refers to any group that includes at least one

masculine noun.

Voilà Marie, Anne et Patrick. There's Marie, Anne, and Patrick.

-Ils sont en retard! -They're late!

• On. The subject pronoun on (third-person singular) is used in French to

convey the English indefinite subjects one, we, people, and they.

Alors, on est d'accord? O.K., so we agree?

Le matin, on est en bonne In the morning, they (we, people)

forme. feel good.

Modern speech often replaces nous (we) by on. The adjective can be

spelled in the singular or the plural.

Vous êtes fatigués? You're tired?

-Oui, on est très fatigué(s)!

(-Oui, nous sommes très

fatigué[e]s!)

-Yes, we're all (everybody's) very tired!

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 25

Exercise 2.1

Complete the sentences, translating the subject pronouns that precede the forms of

être. Make sure you understand the meaning of each sentence.

EXAMPLE: (We) Nous sommes fatigués.

1. (You, pl.) êtes en ville?

2. (I) suis à la maison.

3. (They, f.) sont au travail.

4. (We) sommes très sympathiques!

5. (You, sing.) es architecte?

6. (I) suis grand et beau.

7. (They, m.) sont français.

8. Les Américains sont en voyage. (They) sont dans le train.

9. (Georges and Marilyn, you) êtes drôles!

10. Le prof est absent. (He) est en vacances.

Exercise 2.2

Complete each of the sentences with the correct form of être. Focus on meaning.

EXAMPLE: L'homme est beau. La femme est belle aussi.

1. Le parfum de France.

2. Ils médecins. Elle dentiste.

3. Les touristes du Portugal?

4. Les frères de Paul riches!

5. Le vieil hôtel excellent.

6. Nous les amis de Robert.

7. Les chaussures en cuir (leather).

8. La dame et le monsieur suédois.

9. Je de Lyon. Vous aussi, vous de France?

10. L'appartement des étudiants bien situé.

26 First Elements of French

Uses of être

As you know, être is the equivalent of to be in English.

Nous sommes français. We're French.

Tu es au restaurant? You're (Are you) at the

restaurant?

• Être is often followed by an expression of location (using a preposition)

or a descriptive adjective.

Marianne est à la campagne. Marianne is in the country.

Nous sommes en voiture. We are in the car.

• When a form of être is followed by an adjective, the adjective agrees

with the subject of the sentence in gender and number.

Les roses rouges sont belles. Red roses are beautiful.

Mon appartement est assez grand. My apartment is rather large.

• The French definite article (le/la/les) or indefinite article (un/une/des)

is omitted after forms of être for simple (unmodified) identification of

nationality, religion, or profession.

Je suis dentiste. I'm a dentist.

Elles sont protestantes? Are they (f.) Protestant?

Chantal est sénégalaise. Chantal is Senegalese.

Adjectives of religion, such as protestant(e)(s), and nationality, for example, sénégalais(e), are not capitalized in French.

• With nouns that are modified (accompanied by an adjective or other

descriptor), use the indefinite subject pronoun ce (c'est.../ce sont...).

With c'est and ce sont, articles or possessive adjectives (Chapter 10)

are always used before a noun. At times, the context will identify the

person.

C'est un professeur d'histoire. He's/She's a history teacher.

Ce sont mes amies françaises. These/Those are my French

friends.

C'est le médecin de mon fils. He's/She's/That's my son's doctor.

• When you use c'est or ce sont to describe nationalities, be sure to include

the article and capitalize the noun of nationality.

Voici Bill. C'est un Américain. Here's Bill. He's an American.

Ce sont des Suisses, de Lausanne. They're Swiss, from Lausanne.

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 27

Exercise 2.3

Translate these sentences into French.

1. I am in the garden.

2. The red flowers are beautiful.

3. They (f.) are on (sur) the table.

4. We are in front of (devant) the library.

5. Charles is a teacher. He's young and intelligent.

6. You're (m., fam.) sad and tired? I'm (f.) sorry!

!

7. Marie-Laure is in the car. She's late!

!

8. You're (pol.) from (du) Canada?

?

9. People (On) are nice in this neighborhood (ce quartier).

10. Sara and Patrick are on a trip. They are in (à) Montreal.

28 First Elements of French

Exercise 2.4

Complete the paragraph, choosing among: il/elle est, ils/elles sont, c'est, or ce sont. Remember: C'est/ce sont is used when a noun is modified (either with an article, or an article and an adjective).

EXAMPLES: Alain est médecin. C'est un jeune médecin travailleur.

Michelle est une voisine (neighbor). Elle est

sociable.

1. Jeanne est architecte. travailleuse.

2. Mes parents sont canadiens. des

Québécois fiers.

3. Loïc est de Bretagne. breton.

4. Mon voisin est gentil. un voisin super sympathique.

5. Nommez une ville américaine d'origine française. La

Nouvelle-Orléans.

6. Comment est Claude? Eh bien, très

intelligent, mais un peu arrogant.

Exercise 2.5

Complete each sentence using the conjugated forms of être, the subject pronoun être, or c'est/ce sont.

1. Voyons, Michel! Nous très en retard! Les amis

sûrs que tu toujours ponctuel. Mais,

des amis très tolérants!

2. Odette, tu américaine? -Non, je

martiniquaise, de Fort-de-France.

3. Rosa et Mario, vous mexicains? -Non,

italiens, mais Jorge mexicain.

4. Robert ingénieur. un ingénieur très

créatif. Nous fiers de lui (of him).

5. Khaled, (pol.) chrétien ou musulman?

- musulman, mais une partie de la famille

chrétienne. des coptes

(Coptic).

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 29

Reread the previous sentences in the exercise, and correct these statements using subject pronouns.

6. Michel est généralement à l'heure. Non,

7. Odette est américaine. Non,

8. Rosa et Mario sont mexicains. Non,

9. Robert est biologiste. Non,

10. Dans la famille de Khaled, les chrétiens sont catholiques.

Non,

Expressions with être

Numerous fixed expressions use the verb être.

être à l'heure/en retard/en avance (to be on time/late/early)

être d'accord (avec) (to agree [with])

être de retour (to be back [from a trip or outing])

être en coton/en cuir/en briques... (to be made of cotton/leather/brick . . . )

être en train de/d' inf. (to be [in the midst of] doing [s.th.])

être en vacances (to be on vacation)

être prêt(e) (à inf. (to be ready [to do s.th.])

être sur le point de/d' inf.

Nous sommes en train de

travailler.

Je suis tout à fait d'accord!

Les chaussures sont en cuir.

(to be about to [do s.th.])

We are (in the midst of)

working.

I agree completely! (I couldn't

agree more!)

The shoes are (made of) leather.

Vous êtes en vacances en août? Are you on vacation in August?

Attention, Annie! Tu es déjà Careful, Annie! You are already

en retard! late!

Quelle heure est-il?

Learn Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?) as a fixed expression.

Quelle heure est-il? What time is it?

-Il est deux heures. -It's two o'clock.

You will learn more about question forms in Chapter 3 and about telling time in Chapter 4.

30 First Elements of French

Exercise 2.6

Complete the sentences with expressions chosen from the list. Use each expression

once with the correct form of être.

être sur le point de être de retour

être d'accord être en coton

être en train de être prêt(e)

être en vacances

1. Claudine et moi voyageons maintenant (now) en Italie.

Nous

2. Les enfants sont très occupés. Ils jouer (play)

au volley.

3. Ma sœur rentre (is coming home) de vacances. Elle

aujourd'hui.

4. O.K., on ? C'est de la pizza ce soir (this

evening)?

5. Mon T-shirt rose? Il

6. Tu (m.) ? Il est tard. Le film commence

bientôt (soon). Nous quitter la maison.

Key Vocabulary

These common words (adverbs and conjunctions) help link ideas and enliven adjectives, nouns, and verbs. Their placement in a sentence closely resembles that of their English equivalents.

Conjonctions, qualificatifs, et adverbes (Conjunctions, Qualifiers, and Adverbs)

assez (fairly, rather) et (and)

assez de (enough) ici (here)

aujourd'hui (today) là-bas (over there)

aussi (also) maintenant (now)

beaucoup (de) (much, many, a lot) mais (but)

bien (very, well) ou (or)

donc (therefore, so) parfois (sometimes)

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 31

peu (hardly, not very) souvent (often)

plutôt (rather) toujours (always)

quelquefois (sometimes) très (very)

rarement (rarely) trop (de) (too, too much [many])

si (if) un peu (de) (a little)

Je suis de Bruxelles, mais Sylvie I'm from Brussels, but Sylvie is

est de Paris. from Paris.

Claude est professeur, donc il Claude is a teacher, so he's on

est en vacances. vacation.

Nous sommes parfois mécontents. We are sometimes unhappy.

Tu es un peu fatiguée? Are you a little tired?

Les repas sont trop chers ici. The meals are too expensive here.

Exercise 2.7

Translate the words in parentheses to complete the sentences.

1. (sometimes, very) Je suis heureuse.

2. (here, today) Il est ?

3. (now) Tu es au travail ?

4. (today, a little) , nous sommes en retard.

5. (rather) Les livres sont

6. (often) Elles sont

7. (always) Nous sommes

8. (but, very) Sylvie est petite,

grand.

9. (very) Vous êtes

10. (much, too) Le dessert est

11. (a little) Les enfants sont

12. (over there) Marc est

Negation with ne... pas

chers dans cette librairie.

au café.

à l'heure.

Sylvain est

belles ce soir!

riche.

fatigués.

, devant la pharmacie.

To make a sentence negative in French, ne is placed before a conjugated

verb and pas after the verb. Ne becomes n' before a vowel or vowel sound.

32 First Elements of French

Je ne suis pas français. I am not French.

Elle n'est pas à l'université. She isn't at the university.

Nous ne sommes pas catholiques. We aren't Catholic.

Exercise 2.8

Answer each of the questions using a complete sentence with the negative of être. Remember, ne becomes n' before a vowel sound.

1. Arlette est vieille? Non,

2. Vous êtes acteur (actrice)?

3. Nous sommes en retard?

4. Tu es à la maison?

5. Léon et Chantal sont de retour?

6. Tes sœurs sont d'accord?

7. Georges est en train de danser?

8. Je suis trop fière?

The Verb avoir (to have)

Avoir most often expresses ownership or possession.

Present Tense of avoir (to have)

SINGULAR

1st j'ai I have

2nd tu as you have (fam.)

3rd il/elle/on a he/she/it/one has, we have

PLURAL

1st nous avons we have

2nd vous avez you have (pol. s.; fam./pol. pl.)

3rd ils/elles ont they have

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 33

Tu as un chat?

-Non, mais j'ai un perroquet.

Nous avons de bons amis.

Nos amis ont du temps

aujourd'hui.

Ne... pas de... with avoir

Do you have a cat?

-No, but I have a parrot.

We have good friends.

Our friends have time today.

In negative sentences with avoir and also with most other verbs, the indefinite article un/une/des becomes de/d' after the negation ne... pas. The form d' is used before vowel sounds. The noun that follows de/d' can be singular or plural.

Michel a une bicyclette.

Marlène n'a pas de bicyclette

et je n'ai pas de voiture.

Nous n'avons pas de bagages. Vous n'avez pas d'amis?

Michel has a bicycle.

Marlène doesn't have a bicycle,

and I don't have a car.

We have no luggage.

You don't have (any) friends?

More About Definite and Indefinite Articles with ne... pas

The definite article le/la/les is always retained after ne... pas.

Je n'ai pas les bonnes adresses. I don't have the right addresses.

Tu n'as pas le livre d'Antoine? Don't you have Antoine's book?

The indefinite article un/une/des is never dropped after the negation of the verb être.

Ce n'est pas un vin rouge. This isn't a red wine. It's white.

Il est blanc.

Ce ne sont pas des touristes. Those aren't tourists.

Il y a... (There is . . . , There are . . . )

The expression il y a (there is, there are) points out people, ideas, or objects.

Il y a is invariable (does not change) in the plural.

Il y a des problèmes dans There are problems in this

ce document. document.

Il y a un médecin dans la salle? Is there a doctor in the room (hall)?

34 First Elements of French

Il y a une touriste devant There's a tourist in front of

le musée. the museum.

Il y a des arbres dans le parc. There are trees in the park.

The negative of il y a is il n'y a pas de/d', followed by a singular or plu-

ral noun.

Il n'y a pas d'arbres dans There aren't any trees in my

mon jardin. garden (yard).

Il n'y a pas de restaurant ouvert? Isn't there an open restaurant

(a restaurant that's open)?

Exercise 2.9

Translate each sentence into French using a form of the verb avoir.

1. I have a red bicycle (vélo, m.).

2. Arthur has a new friend (f.).

3. You (fam.) have a lot of homework (devoirs)?

?

4. They (f.) don't have a garden.

5. I don't have friends here.

6. Simon and Annie have an old car.

7. We don't have bicycles.

8. There are too many tourists in town.

9. There's a difficult problem in class.

10. There aren't enough restaurants at the university.

Exercise 2.10

Make these statements negative (if affirmative) or affirmative (if negative).

1. Il y a beaucoup de devoirs ce soir.

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 35

2. Nous n'avons pas de rendez-vous (m.) aujourd'hui.

3. Il y a une voiture devant la maison.

4. Je n'ai pas de dictionnaire (m.).

5. Ils sont en classe ce matin (this morning).

6. Mes parents ont un nouvel appartement.

7. Je suis souvent à la montagne le week-end.

8. Elles n'ont pas d'idées concrètes.

9. Tu n'as pas de copains (close friends) ici?

?

10. Il n'y a pas assez de livres pour les étudiants.

Expressions with avoir

The verb avoir occurs in numerous idiomatic expressions. Many ideas conveyed with expressions using avoir relate to feelings or sensations. They often have English equivalents that use the verb to be.

avoir... ans (to be . . . years old)

avoir chaud (to be warm, hot)

avoir froid (to be cold)

avoir faim (to be hungry)

avoir soif (to be thirsty)

avoir sommeil (to be sleepy)

avoir envie de (to feel like)

avoir besoin de (to need [to])

avoir peur (de) (to be afraid [of])

36 First Elements of French

avoir honte (de) (to be ashamed [of])

avoir mal (à) (to have a pain, a[n] -ache)

avoir raison (to be right)

avoir tort (to be wrong)

avoir l'air (de) (to seem)

avoir l'habitude de (to be accustomed, used to)

avoir de la chance (to be lucky)

avoir lieu (to take place [an event])

J'ai vingt ans.

J'ai faim et j'ai mal à la tête.

Nous avons de la chance! Les

jeux Olympiques ont lieu ici.

I am twenty years old.

I am hungry, and I have a

headache.

We are lucky! The Olympic games

are taking place here.

Elle a tort; je n'ai pas sommeil. She is wrong; I am not sleepy.

Nous n'avons pas envie de danser. We don't feel like dancing.

Avoir... ans: Asking Someone's Age

Learn Quel âge avez-vous? or Quel âge as-tu? (How old are you?) as a

fixed expression. You will learn more about question forms in Chapter 3.

Quel âge avez-vous? How old are you?

-J'ai vingt-neuf ans. -I'm twenty-nine.

Exercise 2.11

Translate the sentences into French, using idiomatic expressions with avoir.

1. I'm cold, and I'm sleepy.

2. He's twenty-five (vingt-cinq) years old.

3. We need a new apartment.

4. She's lucky in (à) Las Vegas!

!

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 37

5. We're hungry! We feel like having lunch (déjeuner).

6. Are you (fam.) ashamed of your (tes) bad grades (notes, f.)?

?

7. The children are thirsty.

8. The meeting (La réunion) takes place this evening.

9. She doesn't have a headache today.

10. They (m.) aren't accustomed to dining late (dîner tard).

Exercise 2.12

Answer the personal questions in complete French sentences, using idiomatic expressions with avoir. Then repeat the answers aloud.

1. Quel âge avez-vous?

2. Vous avez froid en hiver (winter) ici?

3. Vous avez raison ou tort dans les discussions politiques?

4. Les fêtes ont lieu le week-end?

5. Vous avez mal à la tête quand (when) vous avez faim?

6. Votre chien a l'air intelligent?

38 First Elements of French

7. Vous avez envie de danser ce soir (this evening)?

8. Les étudiants ont sommeil en classe? Et le professeur?

9. Le professeur a toujours raison?

10. Les petits enfants ont souvent peur des clowns?

Key Vocabulary

Your home or apartment and its furnishings make up your most familiar surroundings.

La maison (The House)

• Noms (Nouns)

Make sure to learn the gender (masculine or feminine) of each of these

nouns.

la bibliothèque (library, study)

le bois (wood)

le cahier (notebook)

le canapé (sofa)

la chaise (chair)

la chambre (bedroom)

la cheminée (fireplace; chimney)

la clé (key)

le crayon (pencil)

la cuisine (kitchen)

la cuisinière (stove)

le fauteuil (armchair, easy chair)

la fenêtre (window)

le four (oven)

le foyer (entryway, hearth)

le frigo (refrigerator)

la glace (mirror)

le jardin (garden, yard)

la lampe (lamp, light)

le lit (bed)

la maison (house)

le mur (wall)

l'ordinateur (m.) (computer)

le piano (piano)

le placard (cupboard; closet)

le plafond (ceiling)

le plancher (floor)

la porte (door)

le réveil (alarm clock)

les rideaux (m.) (curtains)

la salle à manger (dining room)

la salle de bains (bathroom)

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 39

le salon (living room) le tapis (rug, carpet)

le stylo (pen) la terrasse (patio, terrace)

le tableau (picture, painting) la vidéo (le DVD) (video [DVD])

• Adjectifs (Adjectives)

In the following list, the feminine forms of adjectives are shown only if

the adjective changes.

agréable (pleasant)

ancien(ne) (old; former)

bleu marine (navy blue)

confortable (comfortable)

extérieur(e) (outside)

fin(e) (fine, delicate)

gris(e) (gray)

intérieur(e) (inside, interior)

• Adverbes (Adverbs)

assez (de) (rather; enough)

aussi (also)

beaucoup de (a lot of)

encore (still, yet)

• Prépositions (Prepositions)

avec (with)

dans (in)

Exercise 2.13

Translate the phrases into French.

1. a modern kitchen

joli(e) (pretty)

long(ue) (long)

ma, mon, mes (my)

privé(e) (private)

propre (clean)

simple (simple)

spacieux (-euse) (spacious)

en général (generally)

toujours (always)

très (very)

devant (in front of)

2. a pleasant apartment

3. some roomy closets

4. a navy blue armchair

5. in front of the big window

6. an old mirror

40 First Elements of French

7. a clean oven

8. a new computer

9. a private bathroom

10. some long curtains

11. the interior walls

12. a big living room

13. a very beautiful piano

14. a table with six chairs

15. a white refrigerator

e Reading Comprehension

La maison de Jean-Pierre

Ma maison est grande et assez vieille, avec beaucoup de fenêtres. Les ri-

deaux devant les fenêtres sont longs et épais. Les murs intérieurs sont

peints en blanc; l'extérieur de la maison est gris. La terrasse est jolie; il y

a encore des fleurs. Dans le foyer, il y a une glace ancienne et une table en

bois. La salle à manger est simple, avec une table et six chaises; le tapis est

rouge et bleu marin. Notre cuisine est spacieuse; ses murs sont jaunes et ses

placards sont blancs.

Le frigo est assez grand; la cuisinière et le four sont toujours propres.

Dans le salon, il y a des fauteuils confortables et un piano. Moi, je n'ai pas

de salle de bains privée, mais ma chambre est très agréable; elle est bleue

et blanche et ensoleillée. En général, mon ordinateur, mes livres, mes ca-

hiers, mes crayons, mes stylos, etc., sont dans la bibliothèque à côté.

épais(se) thick ses its

peint(e) en (blanc) painted (white) moi me, myself

en bois wooden ensoleillé(e) sunny, bright

six six mon, mes my

notre our à côté next door

The Verbs être and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation 41

Questions

After you read the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. La maison est vieille ou moderne?

2. La cuisine est petite ou grande?

3. Où (Where) est le piano?

4. Jean-Pierre a une salle de bains privée?

5. Il a une chambre obscure (dark)?

6. Où est l'ordinateur de Jean-Pierre?

3

Days and Months, Regular

-er Verbs in the Present Tense,

and Interrogatives

Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons

In French, days of the week, months, and seasons are not capitalized. With some exceptions, they are used without the definite article (le/la/l'/les). The week begins on Monday.

Some example sentences in this section use verbs you will learn later.

Many are cognates; their meaning should be clear from the translations.

Les jours de la semaine (Days of the Week)

lundi Monday vendredi Friday

mardi Tuesday samedi Saturday

mercredi Wednesday dimanche Sunday

jeudi Thursday

Quel jour sommes-nous aujourd'hui? What day is it today?

(C'est quel jour aujourd'hui?)

-Nous sommes jeudi.

(C'est jeudi.)

Maman arrive samedi,

et Sylvie, dimanche.

Demain, c'est vendredi.

-It's Thursday.

Mom arrives Saturday, and

Sylvie, on Sunday.

Tomorrow's Friday.

To say that you do the same activity regularly every Monday, each Saturday, on Sundays, etc., use the masculine singular definite article le before the day. The day also remains in the singular.

42

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 43

Le lundi, je suis au gymnase.

Les amis dînent ensemble

le vendredi.

Le mercredi, il y a un examen.

On Mondays, I'm at the gym.

The friends have dinner together

every Friday.

Each Wednesday, there's an

exam.

Où est-ce que tu es le dimanche? Where are you on Sundays?

Les mois de l'année (Months of the Year)

janvier January juillet July

février February août August

mars March septembre September

avril April octobre October

mai May novembre November

juin June décembre December

The preposition en (in) is used in sentences before the names of the

months. The phrase au mois de/d' can also be used.

Quel mois sommes-nous?

-Nous sommes en janvier.

(C'est janvier.)

Noël est en décembre.

On a des vacances en août. Les cours commencent

en septembre.

What month is it?

-It's January.

Christmas is in December.

We have vacation in August.

Classes begin in September.

Ils skient encore au mois d'avril. They're still skiing in April.

Les saisons (Seasons)

l'été (m.) summer l'hiver (m.) winter

l'automne (m.) autumn, fall le printemps spring

Names of the seasons are used with the definite article, the preposition

en, or with au (only with au printemps).

L'hiver, c'est la saison froide. Winter is the cold season.

Arielle adore l'automne. Arielle loves autumn.

Moi, je passe l'été à la plage. Me, I'm spending the summer at

the beach.

44 First Elements of French

En été nous ne portons pas In (the) summer we don't wear

de manteau. coats.

Il est très occupé en automne. He's very busy in the fall.

Au printemps, je porte toujours In (the) spring, I always wear a

un chapeau. hat.

Tu es à Montréal en hiver? Are you in Montreal in (the) winter?

Les parties du jour (Parts of the Day)

le matin morning le soir evening

l'après-midi (m.) afternoon la nuit night

Parts of the day are used with the definite article for regular activities

or are used with words like demain (tomorrow), hier (yesterday), or with

ce/cet/cette (this). Cette nuit means last night.

Le soir, nous regardons la télé.

Demain matin, je retourne

au travail.

Cet après-midi, on déjeune

avec les parents.

La nuit, les animaux sont dans

leur lit.

Exercise 3.1

In the evenings, we watch TV.

Tomorrow morning, I return to

work.

This afternoon, we're having

lunch with the folks.

At night, the animals are in

their beds.

Respond to the sentences in French. Complete sentences are not necessary.

1. What days of the week do you work?

2. What days of the week do you like to do your hobbies?

3. When (days or parts of the day) do you study French?

4. Quel jour sommes-nous? Quel mois?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 45

5. Quelle est votre saison préférée?

6. Quels sont les mois de l'hiver? et de l'été?

7. Name the months that feature the following holidays. If a holiday moves

around, name a typical month or months: Thanksgiving (le jour de l'Action

de grâces) U.S.? , Canada? ;

Christmas (Noël) ; Easter (Pâques)

; the "Fourth" (la Fête nationale)

; Canada Day (la Fête du Canada)

; le jour de la Bastille ; Ramadan

; Hanukkah (Hanoukka) ;

Victoria Day (Canada) (la Fête de la Reine) ;

Veteran's or Remembrance Day (le jour du Souvenir)

Regular Verbs in the Present Tense

French has three groups of verbs with regular conjugations. They are usually identified by their infinitive endings: -er (parler, to speak, talk), -ir (choisir, to choose), or -re (attendre, to wait for).

Regular French verbs are conjugated in person and number by adding six regular endings to the verb root or stem-the infinitive minus the ending: parl-, chois-, and attend-. Learning the model verb for each group will allow you to conjugate most French verbs.

Conjugating Regular -er Verbs

A majority of French verbs have infinitives that end in -er: parler (to speak,

talk), aimer (to like, love). When new verbs are coined, they are most often

regular -er verbs (cliquer sur, to click on; mondialiser, to globalize).

All -er verbs (except for aller, to go) are regular. The present tense endings for regular -er verbs are: -e, -es, -e, -ons, -ez, and -ent. Conjugated verbs always include a subject noun or pronoun. The regular conjugations of verbs ending in -ir and -re are presented in Chapters 4 and 5.

46 First Elements of French

Present Tense of parler (to speak, talk); Stem: parl-

SINGULAR FORMS

je parle I speak, I do speak, I am speaking

tu parles (fam.) you speak, you do speak, you are speaking

vous parlez (pol.) you speak, you do speak, you are speaking

il parle

elle parle

on parle

PLURAL FORMS

nous parlons

vous parlez

(fam./pol.)

ils parlent

elles parlent

Vous parlez français?

he speaks, he does speak, he is speaking

she speaks, she does speak, she is speaking one speaks, we speak, they speak

we speak, we do speak, we are speaking

you speak, you do speak, you are speaking

they (m.) speak, they do speak, they are speaking

they (f.) speak, they do speak, they are speaking

Do you speak French?

-Bien sûr, et je parle -Of course, and I also speak

aussi italien. Italian.

En Iran, on parle farsi. They speak Farsi in Iran.

Here are two more -er verbs, conjugated in the present tense.

aimer (to like, love); Stem: aim- écouter (to listen to); Stem: écout-

j'aime nous aimons j'écoute nous écoutons

tu aimes vous aimez tu écoutes vous écoutez

il/elle/on aime ils/elles aiment il/elle/on écoute ils/elles écoutent

As with forms of avoir, the -e of je elides to j' before a vowel sound. It is

replaced by an apostrophe and closed up to the verb: j'aime, j'écoute.

Nous parlons avec les voisins.

J'aime beaucoup ce quartier. Ton ami et toi, vous écoutez

la radio?

We're speaking with the

neighbors.

I like this neighborhood a lot. Are you and your friend

listening to the radio?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 47

Pronunciation of -er Verb Forms

The final -s of a conjugated verb is silent (tu parles), as are the final -z (vous

parlez) and the ending -ent (ils/elles aiment). Thus, in the spoken language,

an -er verb has three sounded forms: [pahRl] (je parle, tu parles, il/elle/on

parle, ils/elles parlent), [pahR-lOn] (nous parlons), and [pahR-lay] (vous

parlez).

The final -s of a subject pronoun (nous, vous, ils, elles) is pronounced [z] when it immediately precedes a verb form starting with a vowel sound. This is called liaison.

ils aiment [eel-zehm] vous êtes [voo-zeht]

nous habitons [noo-zah-bee-tOn] elles étudient [ehl-zay-tU-dee]

Here are several more regular -er verbs:

adorer to love, to adore habiter to live

aimer mieux to prefer, to like better jouer to play

arriver to arrive louer to rent

chercher to look for

danser to dance

détester to hate, to detest

étudier to study

expliquer to explain

fermer to close

Exercise 3.2

Translate the verb forms into French.

1. we speak

regarder to look at, to watch

rêver (de) to dream (about) travailler to work

trouver to find

utiliser to use

visiter to visit (a place)

2. she listens

3. I like

4. they (f.) rent

5. you (pol.) use

6. we live

7. I arrive

8. he hates

48 First Elements of French

9. you (fam.) dream

10. she finds

Exercise 3.3

Change the verb forms from singular to plural, or from plural to singular. Je becomes

nous, il/elle becomes ils/elles, tu becomes vous, and vice versa. Focus on meaning.

1. j'adore

2. nous dansons

3. vous regardez

4. tu expliques

5. il cherche

6. elles ferment

7. vous parlez

8. nous expliquons

9. elle utilise

10. tu détestes

Uses of the Present Tense

The present tense in French has three equivalents in English.

Je parle français. I speak French; I am speaking

French; I do speak French.

• The present tense often conveys the meaning of a near future.

Elles arrivent vers six heures They will arrive around six this

ce soir. evening.

Tu cherches un emploi cet été? Will you be looking for a job this

summer?

• When two verbs are used consecutively, the first is conjugated and the

second is an infinitive. The infinitive directly follows some verbs (such

as aimer, aimer mieux, détester, préférer), with no intervening

preposition.

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 49

Vous détestez regarder la télé? You hate to watch TV?

Pas vrai! You're kidding!

-Oui, j'aime mieux travailler. -Yes, I prefer working.

Other verb verb constructions require à or de before the infini-

tive. Chapter 7 contains lists of common verbs in their verb verb

construction.

Je commence à travailler. I begin to work.

On refuse de continuer. They refuse to continue.

• The simple negation of verbs (in all tenses) is made with ne... pas.

Nous fermons la porte. We close the door.

Nous ne fermons pas la porte. We don't close the door.

Ne becomes n' (i.e., it elides) before a vowel sound or a mute h.

Jacqueline habite ici. Jacqueline lives here.

Jérôme n'habite pas ici. Jérôme doesn't live here.

Elle écoute la radio. She listens to the radio.

Il n'écoute pas la radio. He doesn't listen to the radio.

If a verb is followed by an infinitive, ne/n' and pas usually surround the

conjugated verb form.

Nous aimons discuter. We like to discuss (issues).

Vous n'aimez pas discuter. You don't like to discuss (issues).

When the infinitive is negated, the combination ne pas precedes the

infinitive.

Je demande au professeur de I ask the teacher not to give a test.

ne pas donner d'examen.

Ils aiment mieux ne pas danser They prefer not to dance

samedi soir. Saturday night.

• As with avoir, in negative sentences (except for those with être), the

indefinite article (un/une/des) changes to de/d' after ne... pas. The

noun following de/d' can be singular or plural.

Le dimanche, on visite un musée. On Sundays, we visit a museum.

Le dimanche, on ne visite pas On Sundays, we don't visit a

de musée. (any) museum(s).

50 First Elements of French

Je cherche des oranges. I'm looking for oranges.

-Tu ne trouves pas d'oranges? -Aren't you finding (any)

oranges?

Verbs Without Prepositions

Some English verbs require a preposition where their French equivalents do

not. They include chercher (to look for), écouter (to listen to), and regarder

(to look at).

Don't be tempted to add a preposition when you speak or write these

verbs in French. With these French verbs the direct object comes immediately after the verb.

Je cherche mon ami.

Nous écoutons une bonne

émission.

Tu regardes les cartes de France?

Exercise 3.4

I am looking for my friend.

We are listening to a good

program.

Are you looking at the maps of

France?

Answer each question in the negative, forming a complete sentence.

1. Tu chantes bien?

Non, je

2. Mireille travaille à la banque?

Non, elle

3. André écoute souvent la radio?

Non, il

4. Vous rêvez en classe?

Non, nous

5. Tu aimes mieux le jogging?

Non, je

6. Tes parents cherchent une nouvelle maison?

Non, ils

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 51

Exercise 3.5

Complete each sentence with the correct form of the appropriate verb. Choose from the verbs listed below, using each verb once.

adorer, aimer, aimer mieux, danser, écouter, étudier, louer, parler, refuser, regarder, trouver, utiliser

EXAMPLE: Les étudiants

1. Je/J'

2. Nous

3. On

4. Vous

5. Tu

6. Mes parents

7. Marc et Josiane

soir. (adore watching)

8. Tu

9. Nous

10. Amélie

Exercise 3.6

louent un bel appartement. (rent)

la radio le matin. (listen to)

après les cours. (study)

travailler le samedi. (don't like)

un ordinateur tous les jours? (use) au prof dans son bureau. (talk)

de prêter (to lend) la voiture. (refuse)

la télé le

le vendredi soir? (don't dance)

regarder un film. (prefer)

de bonnes carottes au marché. (finds)

Read each indirect statement in English and write the direct statement in French.

1. My friend says he hates to work.

« Je . »

2. He says that Robert is looking for a job (un emploi).

« Robert . »

3. Also, he says that Robert doesn't like to travel (voyager).

« Robert . »

52 First Elements of French

4. Marguerite says she talks to the (au) teacher after class.

« Je . »

5. The other students say they don't study much.

« Nous . »

Exercise 3.7

Complete each blank with a verb chosen from the list; verbs may be used more than once. Make sure the present tense verb forms are correct.

arriver, avoir, chanter, écouter, être, étudier, habiter, jouer, louer, parler, regarder

1. Richard

2. Simone

difficiles!

3. Nous

4. Pendant la fête les enfants

son iPod dans le parc.

beaucoup; les leçons de français

toujours à la maison à six heures du soir.

des chansons et

de la guitare.

5. Dans les conversations, qui le plus, les hommes ou

les femmes?

6. Dans mon expérience, les hommes et les femmes

les uns aussi souvent que (as often as) les autres, mais ils des intérêts différents.

7. Le week-end, nous libres de

la télévision.

8. Je ne/n' pas besoin de un

appart; je/j' chez mes parents!

Interrogatives and Interrogative Words

Most questions (or interrogatives) in French contain a verb. Interrogatives either ask for a yes/no answer or for information or facts. There are four types of yes/no questions: three are largely conversational; the fourth is used in writing and sometimes in conversation. Questions that ask for information or facts usually begin with interrogative words such as Qui... ? (Who . . . ?), Que... ?/ Qu'est-ce que... ? (What . . . ?), or Quand... ? (When . . . ?).

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 53

Yes/No Questions

Like English, French has several types of yes/no questions.

Yes/No Questions with No Change in Word Order

• Questions with rising intonation

In this type of question, the pitch of the voice rises at the end of a sentence to

create a vocal question mark. The subject-verb order remains unchanged.

Vous êtes d'ici? Are you from around here?

On a du temps pour un café? Do we have time for a coffee?

• Tag questions

Here, the invariable tag n'est-ce pas? is added to the end of a sentence. The speaker generally expects agreement or confirmation. The subject-verb order does not change.

Tu es allemand, n'est-ce pas? You're German, aren't you?

En été on a des vacances, We'll have vacation in the

n'est-ce pas? summer, won't we?

The English equivalent of a tag question varies according to the subject of the question (aren't you? won't we? do we? isn't it? etc.), while the French n'est-ce pas? remains the same.

• Questions starting with est-ce que...

In this form the entire statement is preceded by est-ce que. The subjectverb order of the sentence does not change. Est-ce que is pronounced as a single two-syllable word [ehs-kuh]. Before a vowel, est-ce que becomes estce qu': Est-ce qu'il(s)... /Est-ce qu'elle(s)... [ehs-keel/ehs-kehl].

Est-ce que nous sommes Are we already in the city?

déjà en ville?

Est-ce qu'elle a une opinion? Does she have an opinion?

54 First Elements of French

Exercise 3.8

Ask a yes/no question based on each of the statements, as though you had just

asked the speaker. Use a variety of question forms. Suggested answers are in the

Answer Key.

EXAMPLE: Fatima est française. Fatima est française, n'est-ce pas?

1. Je suis étudiante.

?

2. Léonard et Claudine détestent le cinéma.

?

3. Les voisins ont un gros chien.

?

4. Nous avons des opinions politiques.

?

5. Micheline aime mieux jouer au tennis.

?

6. Je travaille dans une boulangerie.

?

7. Raoul joue de la trompette.

?

8. Nous regardons des vidéos vendredi soir.

?

Yes/No Questions with a Change in Word Order

In French, questions with a change in the subject-verb order (inversion) are often used in written or formal spoken language. Short questions with inversion are often used in colloquial speech.

• In questions with pronoun subjects, the subject pronoun and verb are

inverted. A hyphen connects the subject pronoun to the verb.

Êtes-vous déjà en retard? Are you already late?

Avons-nous assez d'argent? Do we have enough money?

Sont-elles au travail? Are they at work?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 55

• In negative questions with inversion, ne/n' precedes the conjugated verb

and pas follows the inverted subject pronoun.

N'as-tu pas envie de manger? Don't you want to eat?

Ne sommes-nous pas à la gare? Aren't we at the train station?

N'ont-ils pas soif? Aren't they thirsty?

• The subject pronoun je is almost never inverted with the verb. Use Est-

ce que... ? instead.

Est-ce que je suis à l'heure? Am I on time?

However, several irregular verbs may invert the first-person singular je: (verb: être) Suis-je... ? (Am I . . . ?), (verb: pouvoir) Puis-je... ? (May I . . . ?), and (verb: devoir) Dois-je... ? (Must I . . . ?). These three forms are found only in rather formal speech.

• In an inverted question, when a third-person singular (il/elle/on) verb

form ends in a vowel, the letter -t-, surrounded by hyphens, is inserted

between the verb and the pronoun to aid in pronunciation.

A-t-on l'adresse de Marianne? Do we have Marianne's address?

[ah-tOn]

Note especially the inverted question form of the expression il y a (there

is, there are). In the affirmative, it goes like this:

Y a-t-il... ? Is there . . . ? Are there . . . ?

Y a-t-il des devoirs? Is there any homework?

Des becomes de/d' in the negative form of the question.

N'y a-t-il pas de... ? Isn't there . . . ? Aren't there . . . ?

N'y a-t-il pas de bons films? Aren't there any good movies?

N'y a-t-il pas d'eau? Isn't there any water?

Everyday language, however, asks questions such as Il y a des devoirs? and Il n'y a pas d'eau? with no inversion.

The added -t- between vowels in a third-person singular inverted question is found in all present-tense verbs (see Chapters 5 and 6).

Parle-t-il? [pahR-luh-teel] Is he speaking?

Discute-t-elle? [dees-kU-tuh-tehl] Does she argue?

Ne va-t-elle pas habiter [vah-tehl] Isn't she going to live

à Paris? in Paris?

56 First Elements of French

Questions with Noun Subjects

When an inverted question has a noun subject, both the noun subject and

the inverted pronoun are used.

Ce monsieur est-il français? Is that man French?

Simon a-t-il une moto? Does Simon have a motorcycle?

Annick et Chantal n'ont-elles Don't Annick and Chantal have

pas de logement? a place?

This table recaps how to ask questions with subject-verb inversion in

French.

Summary of Subject-Verb Inversion in Questions

PRONOUN SUBJECT

Statement Elle est professeur.

She is a teacher.

Question Est-elle professeur?

Is she a teacher?

Negative Question N'est-elle pas

professeur?

Isn't she a teacher?

Exercise 3.9

NOUN SUBJECT

Renée est professeur. Renée is a teacher. Renée est-elle

professeur?

Is Renée a teacher? Renée n'est-elle pas

professeur?

Isn't Renée a teacher?

Translate the English questions into yes/no French questions, using inversion.

1. Do you (fam.) have a cat?

?

2. Does Sylvie play the (du) piano?

?

3. Are you (pol.) American (m.)?

?

4. Do you (fam.) like tennis or golf better?

?

5. Are we playing (au) Scrabble this evening?

?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 57

6. Are the children hungry?

?

7. Isn't Jacques a teacher?

?

8. Don't you (fam.) work in a bookstore?

?

Exercise 3.10

Create eight yes/no questions in French that you might ask your seat partner on an

airplane flight.

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

6. ?

7. ?

8. ?

Information Questions

Information questions begin with an interrogative word or expression such as Qu'est-ce que... ? (What . . . ?); Quel(le)(s)... ? (Which . . . ?); and Comment... ? (How . . . ?).

Information questions may be expressed with the interrogative expres-

sion subject-verb inversion and also with est-ce que, with no change in

word order. Some of the following examples use verbs you will learn to con-

jugate later.

Interrogative Subject of the Verb

In the sentences She sees the dog and Sam buys a car, the words She and Sam are both subjects of the sentence. Questions corresponding to those sentences would be: Who sees the dog? and Who is buying a car?

58 First Elements of French

A thing can also be the subject of a question: What's happening? What

makes that noise? In French, there is no short form for asking about things

as subject of the question. Study the following French forms and their Eng-

lish equivalents.

Persons: Subject Long Form

Qui est-ce qui (as subject) verb Who . . . ?

Qui est-ce qui arrive? Who's arriving?

Persons: Subject Short Form (Most Common)

Qui (as subject) verb Who . . . ?

Qui arrive? Who's arriving?

Qui parle? Who's speaking?

Things: Subject Long Form

Qu'est-ce qui (as subject) verb What . . . ?

Qu'est-ce qui arrive? What's happening?

Qu'est-ce qui est dans la rue? What's (down there) in the street?

Interrogative Object of the Verb

In the English sentences I see Richard and I see the car, Richard and the car are both objects of the verb see. Corresponding English questions would be: Who(m) do you see? and What do you see? Study the following French forms and their English equivalents.

Persons: Object Long Form

Qui est-ce que/qu' subject verb Who(m) . . . ?

Qui est-ce que tu invites? Who(m) are you inviting?

Qui est-ce que vous attendez? Who(m) are you waiting for?

Qui est-ce qu'elle aime? Who(m) does she love?

Persons: Object Short Form

Qui (as object) inverted verb/subject Who(m) . . . ?

Qui invitez-vous? Who(m) are you inviting?

Qui est-ce? Who is it?/Who's that?

Qui aime-t-elle? Who(m) does she love?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 59

Things: Object Long Form

Qu'est-ce que/qu' subject verb What . . . ?

Qu'est-ce que tu as? What do you have?/What's the

matter with you?

Qu'est-ce que vous pensez? What do you think?

Things: Object Short Form

Que/Qu' inverted verb/pronoun subject What . . . ?

Qu'a-t-il? What does he have?/

What's the matter with him?

Que cherchez-vous? What are you looking for?

Que/Qu' verb inverted noun subject What . . . ?

Que regarde Iris?

Que cherche le prof?

Exercise 3.11

Translate the questions into English.

1. Qui arrive samedi?

What's Iris looking at?

What's the teacher looking for?

?

2. Que cherchent les enfants? ?

3. Qui est-ce que tu invites? ?

4. Qu'est-ce qu'elle regarde? ?

5. Qu'aimes-tu? ?

Now, translate these questions into French.

6. Who is it? ?

7. What's happening? ?

8. What do you (fam.) have? ?

9. Who(m) is she listening to? ?

10. What are you (pol.) looking at? ?

60 First Elements of French

Interrogative Words (with Word Inversion or with est-ce que/qu' )

Questions asking information other than What . . . ? or Who . . . ? (as subject or object) use specific question words.

Comment... ? How . . . ? What . . . ?

Comment vas-tu? How are you?

Comment est-il? What's he like?

Combien (de/d')... ? How much/many . . . ?

Combien coûte-t-il?

Combien est-ce que ça coûte?

Combien d'heures travaillez-

vous?

Où... ? Where . . . ?

How much does it cost?

How many hours are you

working?

Où vas-tu?/Où est-ce que tu vas? Where are you going?

Quand... ? When . . . ?

Quand arrive-t-elle?/Quand When does she arrive?

est-ce qu'elle arrive?

Quel(le)(s) (as adjective) noun verb What (Which) . . . ?

Quel(le)(s) is an adjective that always agrees with its noun.

Quelle heure est-il? What time is it?

Quel(le)(s) être noun

Quel est ton film préféré? What is your favorite movie?

Pourquoi... ? Why . . . ?

Pourquoi Gérard arrive-t-il si

tard?

Pourquoi est-ce que Gérard

arrive si tard?

Why is Gérard arriving so late?

The conversational answer to a pourquoi (why) question often begins with

parce que (because).

Comment vas-tu? How are you? (fam.)

Comment est-elle? What's she like?

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 61

Combien d'argent as-tu?

Où allons-nous?

Quand est-ce qu'on dîne? Quand dîne-t-on?

Quel livre aimes-tu?

Quelle est son adresse?

Quelles sont vos opinions?

Pourquoi es-tu en retard?

Exercise 3.12

How much money do you have?

Where are we going?

When are we (people) having dinner? When are we (people) having dinner? Which book do you like?

What is his/her address?

What are your opinions?

Why are you late?

Translate the questions from French to English.

1. Quel restaurant aimes-tu? ?

2. Quand arrivons-nous au cinéma? ?

3. Pourquoi Marie-Laure est-elle contente? ?

4. Comment vas-tu? ?

5. Comment est le professeur de maths? ?

Now, translate the questions from English to French.

6. How are you (pol.)? ?

7. Why do students love music? ?

8. Where is the bookstore? ?

9. Which are the best (meilleurs) courses? ?

10. When do you (fam.) study? ?

Exercise 3.13

Read the questions aloud, answer them aloud, and then answer them in writing.

1. Comment allez-vous?

2. Où est votre famille? Ma... (My . . .)

62 First Elements of French

3. D'où êtes-vous?

4. Avez-vous une voiture? Quelle sorte de voiture?

5. Où est votre maison ou votre appartement? Elle est... /Il est...

6. Comment est la maison ou l'appartement où vous habitez?

Key Vocabulary

In the following lists, you will see that the nouns are divided into masculine and feminine.

Noms masculins (Masculine Nouns)

l'an (year)

l'anniversaire (birthday;

anniversary)

l'arbre (tree)

l'argent (money)

l'ascenseur (elevator)

l'autobus (bus)

l'avion (airplane)

les bagages (luggage)

le bâtiment (building)

le bruit (noise)

les cheveux (hair)

le crayon (pencil)

les devoirs (homework)

l'enfant (child)

l'escalier (stairway)

l'étage (floor [building])

le feutre (felt-tip pen)

le foyer (fireplace; hearth)

les gens (people)

le jardin (garden, yard)

le jour (day)

le journal (newspaper)

le lieu (place)

le magasin (store)

le mail (e-mail)

le médicament (medicine)

le message (message)

le mois (month)

le mot (word)

le mur (wall)

le musée (museum)

le papier (paper)

le parc (park)

le pays (country)

le prix (price)

le rêve (dream)

le stylo (ballpoint pen)

le théâtre (theater)

le thème (theme)

le voyage (trip)

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 63

Noms féminins (Feminine Nouns)

l'addition (check, bill) la librairie (bookstore)

l'avenue (avenue) la maison (house, home)

la bibliothèque (library) la musique (music)

la campagne (country) la page (page)

la carte postale (postcard) la phrase (sentence)

la chambre (bedroom) la pièce (room; play [theater])

la chemise (shirt) la plage (beach)

la clé (key) la porte (door)

la cuisine (kitchen; cooking) la question (question)

la douche (shower, bath) la rue (street)

l'école (school) la salle de classe (classroom)

l'église (church) la santé (health)

l'entrée (entry; first course) la semaine (week)

la fête (party; holiday) la soirée (evening; party)

la feuille (leaf; sheet [paper]) la sortie (exit)

la guerre (war) la ville (city)

la lettre (letter) la voiture (car)

Adjectifs (Adjectives)

affectueux (-euse) (affectionate) fier (-ère) (proud)

aimable (nice, kind) gentil(le) (kind)

amical(e) (friendly) grand(e) (tall)

aveugle (blind) large (wide)

bas(se) (low, short) lent(e) (slow)

beau/bel/belle (beautiful) libre (free)

court(e) (short [in length]) long(ue) (long)

curieux (-euse) (curious; odd) lourd(e) (heavy)

dangereux (-euse) (dangerous) nouveau/nouvel/nouvelle (new)

difficile (difficult) paresseux (-euse) (lazy)

doux (-ce) (sweet; mild; soft) particulier (-ière) (special)

drôle (funny) passionnant(e) (exciting)

dur(e) (hard) petit(e) (short [height])

élégant(e) (elegant) profond(e) (deep)

étrange (strange) rapide (fast)

étroit(e) (narrow) sourd(e) (deaf)

facile (easy) spécial(e) (special)

faible (weak) timide (shy)

fidèle (faithful) tranquille (calme)

64 First Elements of French

Conjonctions (Conjunctions)

Conjunctions link ideas and parts of a sentence. You learned several in

Chapter 2.

donc (therefore, so)

et (and)

mais (but)

ou (or)

Exercise 3.14

parce que/qu' (because)

pendant que/qu' (during)

puisque/puisqu' (since [reason])

si (if)

Translate the phrases into French using the new vocabulary you learned.

1. a special birthday

2. a dangerous trip

3. an elegant party

4. a strange noise

5. some exciting dreams

6. a faithful friend (f.)

7. a blind child

8. a narrow staircase

9. some difficult sentences

10. some heavy keys

e Reading Comprehension

Une petite ville en province

Avec des amis canadiens, je suis en France - à Évreux, une petite ville ancienne de Normandie, entre Paris et Rouen. Nous sommes ici en juillet avec les parents de Laure. Laure et moi, nous étudions le français. La mère de Laure est archéologue et son père est législateur au Canada.

À Évreux, il y a une école d'été qui offre des cours de langue, d'art,

d'histoire et de musique. C'est l'été, le climat est merveilleux et nos nou-

veaux amis français sont très sympathiques. Le week-end, les jeunes orga-

Days and Months, Regular -er Verbs in the Present Tense, and Interrogatives 65

nisent souvent des fêtes. De lundi à vendredi, nous avons nos cours, et nous sommes des étudiantes sérieuses.

La mère de Laure est très contente parce qu'il y a dans les environs

des ruines des villages du cinquième siècle. Le père de Laure est content

parce que ce sont des vacances tranquilles et reposantes. Et moi, je suis

heureuse dans la maison normande que nous louons. J'ai mes copains, de la

bonne conversation, des cours intéressants et les bons repas normands!

entre (between) cinquième siècle (fifth century)

la mère de Laure (Laure's mother) reposant(e)(s) (restful)

son père (her father) mes copains (my friends, pals [fam.])

dans les environs (in the vicinity) le repas (meal)

Questions

1. Où est la narratrice?

2. Est-elle seule (alone) en vacances?

3. Quels cours offre l'école d'été?

4. Qu'est-ce que les deux jeunes filles étudient?

5. Pourquoi la mère de Laure est-elle contente?

6. Le père de Laure travaille-t-il pendant les vacances?

4

Numbers, Dates, and Time

and Regular -ir Verbs in the

Present Tense

Cardinal Numbers

A cardinal number is any number expressing an amount, such as one, two,

or three.

Numbers from 0 to 99

Here are the French cardinal numbers from 0 to 99:

0 zéro 18 dix-huit

1 un 19 dix-neuf

2 deux 20 vingt

3 trois 21 vingt et un

4 quatre 22 vingt-deux

5 cinq 23 vingt-trois

6 six 24 vingt-quatre

7 sept 25 vingt-cinq

8 huit 26 vingt-six

9 neuf 27 vingt-sept

10 dix 28 vingt-huit

11 onze 29 vingt-neuf

12 douze 30 trente

13 treize 31 trente et un

14 quatorze 32 trente-deux

15 quinze 33 trente-trois

16 seize 34 trente-quatre

17 dix-sept 35 trente-cinq

66

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 67

36 trente-six 76 soixante-seize

37 trente-sept 77 soixante-dix-sept

38 trente-huit 78 soixante-dix-huit

39 trente-neuf 79 soixante-dix-neuf

40 quarante 80 quatre-vingts

50 cinquante 81 quatre-vingt-un

60 soixante 82 quatre-vingt-deux

70 soixante-dix 83 quatre-vingt-trois

71 soixante et onze 90 quatre-vingt-dix

72 soixante-douze 91 quatre-vingt-onze

73 soixante-treize 92 quatre-vingt-douze

74 soixante-quatorze 93 quatre-vingt-treize

75 soixante-quinze 99 quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Pronouncing Numbers

The final consonant of the numbers cinq, six, and dix is silent before a word that begins with a consonant: cinq [sIn] livres, six [see] femmes, dix [dee] petits chats. The sound x [s] becomes [z] before a vowel: six [seez] oranges. The final consonant of deux, cinq, six, dix, and vingt is pronounced at the beginning of a word that begins with a vowel: deux [duhz] étudiants, cinq [sInk] images, dix [deez] hommes, vingt [vInt]articles.

• Numbers from 17 (dix-sept) to 19 (dix-neuf) are formed by combining

numbers.

• Seventy (soixante-dix) is literally "sixty-ten," seventy-one (soix-

ante et onze) is "sixty and eleven," and so on. Eighty (quatre-

vingts), "four-twenties," starts a new series that ends in ninety-nine (quatre-vingt-dix-neuf).

• Eighty (quatre-vingts) takes an -s, but numbers based on it do not:

quatre-vingt-un.

• In Belgium and French Switzerland, 70 is septante (septante et un,

septante-deux...); 90 is nonante (nonante et un, nonante-deux...).

In Belgium, 80 is huitante (huitante et un, huitante-deux...); while

French Switzerland uses quatre-vingts, etc.

• When a feminine noun follows the numbers un, vingt et un, trente

et un, etc., an -e is added to un: une table, vingt et une étudiantes,

trente et une voitures.

68 First Elements of French

Doing Arithmetic in French

plus or et

moins

fois

divisé par

font or égalent

Exercise 4.1

quatorze plus (et) quinze font (égalent) vingt-neuf

vingt moins douze font (égalent) huit six fois dix font (égalent) soixante

trente-six divisé par douze font (égalent) trois

Continue each series with three more digits, writing out the numbers in French.

1. un, deux, trois,

2. deux, quatre, six,

3. vingt, trente, quarante,

4. sept, quatorze, vingt et un,

5. soixante-sept, soixante-huit, soixante-neuf,

6. quatre-vingt-huit, soixante-dix-sept, soixante-six,

Exercise 4.2

Solve these arithmetic problems, and write out the answers in French.

1. quatre-vingts quatre

2. quarante-cinq quarante-cinq

3. vingt et un trois

4. soixante et onze vingt-six

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 69

5. quatre-vingt-huit trente-quatre

6. quarante-huit deux

Numbers from 100

Here are the numbers starting with 100:

100 cent

101 cent un

102 cent deux

200 deux cents

201 deux cent un

222 deux cent vingt-deux 300 trois cents

400 quatre cents

500 cinq cents

600 six cents

700 sept cents

800 huit cents

900 neuf cents

970 neuf cent soixante-dix

980 neuf cent quatre-vingts

999 neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

1 000 mille

1 001 mille un

2 000 deux mille

3 750 trois mille sept cent cinquante

999 999 neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf mille neuf cent

quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

1 000 000 un million

1 000 000 000 un milliard

Knowing Your Numbers

Numbers are some of the most important vocabulary words you'll need: to ask for and to say prices, schedules, directions, addresses, telephone numbers, etc. Practice them aloud regularly.

• The -s of cents (trois cents) is dropped when followed by any other

number: 201 (deux cent un), 735 (sept cent trente-cinq).

• Like cent, mille (one thousand) has no article. The word mille never

ends in -s: 1 004 (mille quatre), 7 000 (sept mille), 9 999 (neuf mille

neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf).

• European Union currency (now used by thirteen EU countries, includ-

ing France) is l'euro (m.) (€); it is divided into 100 centimes (m.).

70 First Elements of French

• To express thousands in figures, French uses a space or a period where

English uses a comma: 2 695/2.695. In decimal numbers, such as prices,

French uses a comma where English uses a period: 77,50€/15,90 €.

• The nouns million (million) and milliard (billion) take -s in the plural:

2 300 000€ (deux millions trois cent mille euros). The preposition

de/d' is used between million(s) or milliard(s) and a noun: un milliard

d'euros, trois millions d'habitants.

Exercise 4.3

Read the prices in euros out loud. Next, write them out as if on a bank check.

1. un litre de lait: 2€ 50 centimes

2. un kilo d'oranges: 4€ 75 centimes

3. un dîner à deux: 44€

4. une paire de chaussures: 110€

5. une nuit dans un hôtel parisien: 188€

6. une voiture Smart: 9.450€

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers express position in a series, such as first, second, third, fourth, and fifth.

In French, ordinal numbers, with the exception of le premier/la pre-

mière (the first), are formed by adding -ième to cardinal numbers. Except

for le premier/la première, only the article (le/la/les) changes to agree

with the noun.

le premier/la première le/la onzième le/la vingt et unième

le/la deuxième le/la douzième le/la vingt-deuxième

le/la troisième le/la treizième le/la trentième

le/la quatrième le/la quatorzième le/la quatre-vingtième

le/la cinquième le/la quinzième le/la quatre-vingt-dixième

le/la sixième le/la seizième le/la centième

le/la septième le/la dix-septième

le/la huitième le/la dix-huitième

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 71

le/la neuvième le/la dix-neuvième

le/la dixième le/la vingtième

le premier homme the first man

la première classe the first class

le quatrième étage the fourth floor

le sixième mois the sixth month

la trente-neuvième marche

Où est le dix-huitième

arrondissement?

C'est ton cinquième repas

du jour?

Le dixième chapitre est

intéressant.

Le cabinet du médecin est

au sixième étage.

the thirty-ninth step

Where's the eighteenth

arrondissement (Paris district)?

Is that your fifth meal of the day?

The tenth chapter is interesting.

The doctor's office is on the sixth

floor.

• Note the irregular spelling of cinquième and neuvième, and the forms

vingt et unième, trente et unième, etc.

• Le and la do not elide before huitième and onzième: le huitième étu-

diant (the eighth student), la onzième cliente (the eleventh customer).

• The abbreviation e, sometimes printed in superscript, indicates that a

number should be read as an ordinal, as does the suffix -ième: 5 cinq;

5e and 5ième le/la cinquième.

• In many countries, including France, le premier étage refers to the

second level of a building (called the second floor in the United States).

The ground floor in French is le rez-de-chaussée. Take this difference

into account when renting a hotel room.

Exercise 4.4

Translate the sentences into French.

1. In (À) Paris, the sixteenth arrondissement (m.) is quite (très) elegant.

2. The Sorbonne (f.) is in the fifth arrondissement.

72 First Elements of French

3. Alain's apartment is on the (au) fourth floor.

4. It's (This is) the first time (fois, f.) (that) I'm visiting Paris.

5. This is the twentieth time (that) he's watching the first Harry Potter!

The Date and the Year

French uses the definite article le and the cardinal numbers 2 to 31 to indicate the days of the month.

French uses an ordinal number (le premier) to indicate the first of the month only.

Quelle est la date d'aujourd'hui?

-Aujourd'hui, c'est le premier

août.

C'est le premier janvier,

le Nouvel An.

Demain, c'est le deux août.

Aujourd'hui, c'est le cinq

juillet.

-Demain, c'est le six juillet.

(July 6).

C'est lundi, le vingt-huit février.

February.

C'est dimanche, le trente et

un octobre.

What's today's date?

-Today's the first of August.

It's the first of January, New

Year's Day.

Tomorrow's the second of August. Today's the fifth of July

(July 5).

-Tomorrow's the sixth of July

It's Monday, the twenty-eighth of

It's Sunday, the thirty-first of

October.

• Years are expressed with a multiple of cent or with mille.

1789 dix-sept cent quatre-vingt-neuf or mille sept cent

quatre-vingt-neuf

1956 dix-neuf cent cinquante-six or mille neuf cent

cinquante-six

1984 dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-quatre or mille neuf cent

quatre-vingt-quatre

2010 deux mille dix

2013 deux mille treize

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 73

• The day of the month comes before the month in French. The following are examples of some dates written out:

2.9.2009 le deux septembre deux mille neuf

13.11.1993 le treize novembre dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize

31.12.2005 le trente et un décembre deux mille cinq

• En is used to say the year in a complete sentence.

Il est né en 1974 (mille neuf He was born in 1974.

cent soixante-quatorze).

Nous sommes en 2010 It's 2010.

(deux mille dix).

• Les années cinquante/soixante/soixante-dix/quatre-vingts... (the

fifties, the sixties, the seventies, the eighties . . .) is used to refer

to a decade or era.

Exercise 4.5

Match the dates below with the significant events that occurred on that date. Then

write out a sentence with the full date and the event, as you see in the example.

11.09.2001, 7.12.1941, 22.11.1963, 29.3.1973, 24.10.1929, 1.01.1863,

14.07.1789, 18.06.1940, 10.11.1989

EXAMPLE: la prise de la Bastille à Paris

Le quatorze juillet dix-sept cent (ou mille sept cent)

quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, c'est la prise de la Bastille à

Paris.

1. l'appel du général de Gaulle vers la France libre

2. le Krach de Wall Street, jeudi noir

3. l'attaque japonaise de Pearl Harbor

4. la fin de la guerre (américaine) du Viêt-Nam

74 First Elements of French

5. les attentats contre le World Trade Center à New York

6. la destruction du mur de Berlin

7. la proclamation de l'émancipation des esclaves américains

8. l'assassinat de John F. Kennedy

Exercise 4.6

Answer the questions in French by writing out the dates and the year as necessary.

1. Quelle est la date d'aujourd'hui?

2. Donnez les dates (jour et mois) suivantes:

a. le Nouvel An

b. la fête nationale des États-Unis

c. la fête nationale française

d. la fête nationale canadienne (1.07)

e. Noël

f. l'Halloween

g. le Poisson d'avril (1.04)

3. Quelle est la date de votre anniversaire?

4. En quelle année êtes-vous né(e)? Je suis né(e) en...

5. Si vous êtes marié(e), quelle est votre date d'anniversaire? Et l'anniversaire

de vos parents?

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 75

Telling Time

To express time in the sense of telling time, French uses l'heure. To ask the time, say:

Excusez-moi, quelle heure est-il? Excuse me, what time is it?

• French expressions for telling time always use the third-person singular

form of être, preceded by the impersonal il (Il est... ). Start by learning

the expressions for telling time on the hour, from one o'clock to eleven

o'clock. From two o'clock on, heures is plural.

Il est une heure. (It's one Il est quatre heures. (It's four

o'clock.) o'clock.)

Il est deux heures. (It's two Il est dix heures. (It's ten

o'clock.) o'clock.)

Il est trois heures. (It's three Il est onze heures. (It's eleven

o'clock.) o'clock.)

• Twelve o'clock noon and midnight are expressed in French with midi

and minuit.

Il est midi. (It's noon.) Il est minuit. (It's midnight.)

• To ask at what time something happens, use à quelle heure in the ques-

tion, as follows. The answer is expressed with à the time of day.

À quelle heure commence

le cours?

-À dix heures.

À quelle heure déjeunes-tu? -À midi.

(At) What time does the class

start?

-At ten (o'clock).

What time (When) are you

having lunch?

-At noon (twelve o'clock).

• To indicate A.M. and P.M., use du matin (in the morning), de l'après-

midi (in the afternoon), and du soir (in the evening).

Il est huit heures du matin. It's eight A.M.

Il est trois heures de l'après-midi. It's three P.M.

Il est dix heures du soir. It's ten P.M.

76 First Elements of French

The 24-Hour Clock

The 24-hour clock (or "military" time) is very often used in French for transportation and entertainment schedules, and for making appointments, to

avoid ambiguity.

Note the abbreviation h for heures when the time is given in figures.

24-Hour Clock 12-Hour Clock

7 h sept heures sept heures (du matin)

11 h onze heures onze heures (du matin)

14 h quatorze heures deux heures (de l'après-midi)

17 h dix-sept heures cinq heures (de l'après midi)

20 h vingt heures huit heures (du soir)

23 h vingt-trois heures onze heures (du soir)

• To express time after the hour, state the hour the number of minutes.

Il est une heure vingt. It's 1:20 (twenty minutes past one).

Il est cinq heures dix. It's 5:10 (ten minutes past five).

Il est deux heures cinq. It's 2:05 (five minutes past two).

Il est huit heures quarante-cinq. It's 8:45 (eight forty-five).

When it is a quarter after the hour, use quinze (fifteen) or et quart (and

a quarter).

Il est trois heures quinze. It's 3:15.

Il est six heures et quart. It's 6:15.

When it is half past the hour, use trente (thirty) or et demi(e) (and a

half). Demie is feminine (with a final -e) when it qualifies heure(s); it

is spelled demi (masculine) when it qualifies midi (noon) and minuit

(midnight).

Il est neuf heures trente. It's 9:30.

Il est huit heures et demie. It's 8:30.

Il est dix heures et demie. It's 10:30.

Il est midi et demi. It's 12:30 (P.M.).

Il est minuit et demi. It's 12:30 (A.M.).

• To express a time before the hour, state the hour moins (minus) the

number of minutes. For fifteen minutes to (before) the hour, use moins

le quart.

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 77

Il est trois heures moins dix. It's 2:50 (ten minutes to three).

Il est onze heures moins cinq. It's 10:55 (five minutes to eleven).

Il est neuf heures moins le quart. It's 8:45 (a quarter to nine).

Il est midi moins le quart. It's 11:45 (a quarter to twelve

[noon]).

As in English, you can add minutes to the previous hour to express time before the hour.

Il est quatre heures trente-cinq. It's 4:35 (twenty-five minutes to

five).

Exercise 4.7

You have a friend who usually arrives late. Add one-half hour to each of the times of day, and write out the new time using a complete sentence.

1. Il est cinq heures et quart.

2. Il est huit heures dix.

3. Il est midi.

4. Il est une heure et demie.

5. Il est trois heures moins le quart.

6. Il est neuf heures vingt.

Exercise 4.8

Answer the personal questions in writing.

1. C'est jeudi. Vous déjeunez. Quelle heure est-il?

2. Vous êtes en train de travailler. Quelle heure est-il?

3. Vous êtes dans le métro, dans le bus ou dans la voiture. Quelle heure est-

il?

78 First Elements of French

4. Vous dînez au restaurant. Quelle heure est-il?

5. Vous regardez un film. Quelle heure est-il?

Expressions Used for Time of Day

Learn the following expressions that go with telling time. The first two use

the impersonal il with the verb être.

Il est tard! (It's late!) Il est tôt! (It's early!)

With the following expressions, the sentence has a personal subject pronoun

or noun.

de bonne heure early (in the morning)

être en avance to be early, arrive early

être à l'heure to be on time

être en retard to be late

Nous quittons la maison We leave the house early in the morning.

de bonne heure.

Amélie est en retard Amélie is late this morning!

ce matin!

On arrive en avance pour We arrive early to get a seat.

avoir une place.

Il n'est pas toujours facile It isn't always easy to be on time.

d'être à l'heure.

Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense

Here is the conjugation of regular French verbs with infinitives ending

in -ir.

Present Tense of choisir (to choose, to select)

je choisis nous choisissons

tu choisis vous choisissez

il/elle/on choisit ils/elles choisissent

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 79

Elles choisissent toujours des They always pick difficult classes.

cours difficiles.

-Tu ne choisis pas les mêmes? -Don't you choose the same

ones?

Vous choisissez vos amis avec soin. You select your friends carefully.

Plural Forms of Regular -ir Verbs

Note the pronunciation and spelling of the plural forms of regular -ir verbs, in which -iss- [ees] is added between the verb stem (chois-) and the personal endings. Thus, regular -ir verbs have four different spoken forms.

je/tu/il/elle/on choisis/choisit [shwah-zee]

nous choisissons [shwah-zee-sOn]

vous choisissez [shwah-zee-say]

ils/elles choisissent [shwah-zees]

• Other regular -ir verbs include:

agir to act

finir (de), finir par ( inf.) to finish; to end up (by doing) réfléchir (à) to reflect (on), to consider

remplir to fill (up); to fill out

réussir (à) to succeed (in); to manage (to)

Ma mère agit toujours

raisonnablement.

Ils remplissent les formulaires.

Tu réussis à contacter notre

prof?

Vous finissez bientôt?

My mother always acts

reasonably.

They fill out the forms.

Are you managing to contact

our professor?

Will you be finished soon?

• The verb réfléchir (to reflect on, contemplate) requires à before a

noun.

Nous réfléchissons aux We are thinking about the

questions. questions.

-Moi, je réfléchis à l'avenir. -Me, I am contemplating the

future.

À contracts with the definite articles le and les to form au and aux. La and l' do not contract with à.

80 First Elements of French

• The verb réussir is used with à before an infinitive and before a noun in

the expression réussir à un examen (to pass an exam).

Je réussis à terminer mon I am managing to finish my

projet. project.

D'habitude, ils réussissent à Usually, they pass their exams.

leurs examens.

• Finir is followed by the preposition de before an infinitive. Finir par

infinitive means to end up (by) doing something.

Tu finis de travailler à trois Do you finish work(ing) at three

heures? o'clock?

Nous finissons souvent par We often end up talking with the

parler avec le patron. boss.

• Many verbs that describe physical change or transformation are regular

-ir verbs.

blanchir (to bleach, whiten) pâlir (to grow pale)

brunir (to tan; to brown) ralentir (to slow down)

élargir (to widen, broaden) rétrécir (to shrink, grow smaller)

grandir (to grow up) rougir (to blush, grow red)

grossir (to gain weight) salir (to get dirty)

jaunir (to yellow) vieillir (to grow old, age)

maigrir (to lose weight)

Nous ralentissons devant l'école. We slow down in front of the

school.

Roméo rougit en présence Romeo blushes when he's with

de Juliette. Juliette.

Les enfants grandissent vite! Children grow up fast!

Je vieillis dans ce boulot! I am growing old in this job!

Several groups of irregular -ir verbs will be presented in Chapters 7

and 8.

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 81

Exercise 4.9

Translate the sentences into French.

1. We choose.

2. You (fam.) act (behave) well.

3. They (f.) blush.

4. I'm succeeding.

5. The children grow.

6. They (On) widen the street.

7. You're (pol.) losing weight.

8. I slow down at night (la nuit).

9. The leaves (Les feuilles) are turning yellow.

10. We finish (de) working.

Exercise 4.10

Complete the sentences with the appropriate verb in the correct form. Consider using the infinitive. Choose among the suggested verbs.

blanchir, choisir, finir, grandir, grossir, remplir, réussir, rougir

1. Éric, vous avez peur de quelque chose? Vous

2. Nous un grand verre d'eau pour vous.

3. Est-ce que tu bien tes cours? Il y a énormément de

choix ici!

4. Les jeunes chiens très vite.

5. Vendredi après-midi, les employés rapidement le

travail.

6. -vous toujours aux examens?

7. Trop de gâteaux, ça fait !

8. Georges est amoureux de Marie. En présence d'elle, il

toujours.

82 First Elements of French

Key Vocabulary

Food and clothing are some of our basic shopping needs. Cities and towns in Francophone regions often have popular small stores, in addition to supermarkets and department stores.

Les magasins et les commerces (Stores and Businesses)

l'agence de voyages (f.) (travel agency)

la blanchisserie (laundry)

la boucherie (butcher, butcher shop)

la boulangerie (bakery)

la charcuterie (delicatessen; pork products)

le/la coiffeur (-euse) (hairdresser)

la confiserie (candy store)

le cordonnier (shoemaker)

la droguerie (paint store, cleaning products)

l'épicerie (f.) (grocer's, grocery)

le/la fleuriste (florist's shop)

le grand magasin (department store)

l'hypermarché (m.) ("big box" store)

la librairie (bookstore)

le magasin de chaussures (shoe store)

le magasin de fruits et légumes (produce market)

le magasin d'informatique (computers and software)

le magasin de vêtements (clothing store)

le marchand de vins (wine merchant)

l'opticien (m.) (optician)

la papeterie (stationery store)

la pâtisserie (pastry shop)

la pharmacie (drugstore, pharmacy)

la poste (post office)

un rabais (a discount)

la quincaillerie (hardware store)

des soldes (m. pl.) (a sale)

le supermarché (supermarket)

le tailleur (tailor)

la teinturerie (dry cleaner's)

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 83

Exercise 4.11

Where can you find these products? Write the name of the store or business next to

the product or service given. Use à la/au/à l' for places and chez le/la/l' for people.

1. de la salade et des fruits

2. des bonbons

3. des livres

4. du papier et des cahiers

5. des fleurs

6. un billet d'avion

7. des médicaments

8. des lentilles de contact

Key Vocabulary

Les repas et les provisions (Meals and Groceries)

l'abricot (m.) (apricot)

l'addition (f.) (bill, check)

l'ananas (m.) (pineapple)

l'apéritif (m.) (before-dinner

drink)

l'assiette (f.) (plate; bowl)

la baguette (baguette)

la banane (banana)

le beurre (butter)

la bière (beer)

le bifteck (steak)

le bœuf (beef)

la boisson (drink)

la bouteille (bottle)

le café (coffee; café)

la carotte (carrot)

la carte (menu)

le céleri (celery)

les céréales (f.) (cereal)

les cerises (f.) (cherries)

les champignons

(m.) (mushrooms)

le chocolat (chocolate)

le/la client(e) (customer)

la confiture (jam, preserves)

le couteau (knife)

la crème (cream)

les crevettes (f.) (shrimp)

le croissant (croissant)

la cuillère (spoon)

le déjeuner (lunch)

le dessert (dessert)

le dîner (dinner)

l'eau (minérale) (f.) ([mineral]

water)

l'entrée (f.) (first course)

84 First Elements of French

les épices (f.) (spices)

la farine (flour)

la fourchette (fork)

les fraises (f.) (strawberries)

les framboises (f.) (raspberries)

les frites (f.) (French fries)

le fromage (cheese)

le fruit (fruit)

le gâteau (cake; cookie)

la glace (ice cream)

le goûter (afternoon snack)

les *haricots verts (m.) (green

beans)

les herbes (f.) (herbs)

le *homard (lobster)

les *hors-d'œuvre (m.) (appetizers)

l'huile d'olive (f.) (olive oil)

le jambon (ham)

le lait (milk)

le lard (bacon)

le légume (vegetable)

la limonade (carbonated soft

drink)

le melon (melon)

le menu du jour (daily special)

la moutarde (mustard)

la noix (nut, walnut)

l'œuf (m.) (egg)

les olives (f.) (olives)

l'orange (f.) (orange)

le pain (bread)

le pain au chocolat (chocolate

croissant)

le pamplemousse (grapefruit)

la pêche (peach)

la petite cuillère (teaspoon)

le petit déjeuner (breakfast)

les petits pains (m.) (rolls)

les petits pois (m.) (peas)

le plat (dish; course)

le plat principal (main course)

la poire (pear)

le poisson (fish)

le poivre (pepper)

le poivron (green pepper)

la pomme (apple)

la pomme de terre (potato)

le porc (pork)

le potage (vegetable soup)

le poulet (chicken)

le pourboire (tip)

le raisin (grapes)

le riz (rice)

la salade (salad; lettuce)

le sandwich (sandwich)

les saucisses (f. pl.) (sausages)

le sel (salt)

le/la serveur (-euse) (server)

service compris (tip included)

la serviette (napkin; towel)

la soupe (soup)

le sucre (sugar)

la tartine (buttered bread)

la tasse (cup)

la tarte (tart, pie)

le thé (tea)

la tomate (tomato)

le veau (veal)

le verre (glass)

la viande (meat)

le vin (wine)

le yaourt (yogurt)

Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense 85

Exercise 4.12

List some typical ingredients you'll need for the recipes. Use the phrase j'ai besoin de/d'. . . or on a besoin de/d'... (without an article).

1. une omelette:

2. un gâteau au chocolat:

3. une salade de fruits:

4. un potage aux légumes:

Exercise 4.13

Complete the sentences with the appropriate noun or nouns from the previous vocabulary lists.

1. Avant le dîner, nous posons sur la table

2. Au restaurant, le serveur apporte d'abord

3. Au petit déjeuner, j'aime

4. Je n'aime pas beaucoup le café, s'il n'a pas beaucoup de

et trois cuillérées de

5. Au déjeuner, je suis toujours pressé(e), donc je préfère

6. Les végétariens refusent généralement ; ils aiment

mieux

e Reading Comprehension

Au restaurant

Il est une heure de l'après-midi et le restaurant français est plein. C'est une brasserie du quartier économique et très fréquentée. Elle a dixhuit tables et cinq serveurs excellents. Il y a quatre ou cinq clients à chaque table. L'ambiance est chaleureuse. Les gens sont détendus parce que c'est un jour de fête, le premier mai, le jour du travail.

L'établissement a deux étages; au rez-de-chaussée il y a des boissons,

des sandwichs et des salades; au premier étage, il y a le menu complet. Sur

86 First Elements of French

la carte, il y a un menu du jour au prix fixe et d'autres plats: du poulet, de la viande et du poisson. Le menu du jour propose une soupe, du saumon poché, des pommes de terre, des légumes, de la salade, un dessert et une boisson - du café ou du thé. Tout est délicieux aujourd'hui!

plein(e) full

une brasserie bistro

du quartier neighborhood

très fréquenté(e) very popular

chaque each, every

chaleureux (-euse) warm, friendly

détendu(e) relaxed

jour de fête holiday

le jour du Travail Labor Day

l'établissement (m.) place, business

le rez-de-chaussée ground floor

premier étage second floor (level)

prix fixe fixed-price menu

du saumon poché poached salmon

Questions

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. À quelle heure est-ce que les amis déjeunent?

2. Où déjeunent-ils?

3. Est-ce que le restaurant est vide (empty)?

4. Si non, pourquoi n'est-il pas vide?

5. Quel étage choisissent-ils? Pourquoi?

6. Imaginez le repas du narrateur.

5

Regular -re Verbs in the

Present Tense and -er Verbs

with Spelling Changes

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense

Regular verbs with infinitives ending in -re are conjugated in the present tense as follows:

Present Tense of attendre (to wait, wait for)

j'attends

tu attends

il/elle/on attend

Elle attend l'autobus, et nous

attendons la conférence.

Mes amis attendent les

vacances.

nous attendons

vous attendez

ils/elles attendent

She is waiting for the bus,

and we are waiting for the

the lecture.

My friends are waiting for the

holidays.

Be aware of these details regarding regular -re verbs:

• The third-person singular form (il/elle/on attend) of regular -re verbs

has no ending. To conjugate it, remove the infinitive ending (-re); the

stem of the verb is the conjugated form. In this form, the letter -d is

silent (not pronounced), and the word ends with the nasal vowel:

elle attend [ah-tAn], il vend [vAn]

• The English verb to wait always uses the preposition for before a noun.

In French, attendre is followed directly by the noun.

J'attends mon ami. I am waiting for my friend.

87

88 First Elements of French

• In French, attendre does not mean to attend. To attend (a lecture, a

concert, etc.) is expressed by assister à (une conférence, un concert,

etc.).

Other regular -re verbs include:

défendre to defend; to forbid

descendre to go down; to get off

entendre to hear

perdre to lose

perdre du temps to waste time

rendre to give (back), to return

répondre (à) to answer

rendre visite à to visit (a person)

tendre to stretch (out) (s.th.); to offer

vendre to sell

Michel vend sa vieille voiture. Michel is selling his old car.

Nous rendons visite aux voisins We are visiting the neighbors on

dimanche.

Tu entends? C'est ton portable.

-Je réponds!

Les enfants perdent souvent

les clés.

Où est-ce qu'on descend

de l'autobus?

Sunday.

Do you hear? That's your cell

phone.

-I am answering!

Children often lose the keys.

Where do we get off the bus?

• Rendre visite and répondre both require the preposition à before a

noun.

Ils répondent toujours à mes They always answer my questions.

questions.

Tu rends visite aux voisins? Are you visiting the neighbors?

Use the verb visiter noun to express a visit to a city, building, museum, natural site, etc. Use rendre visite à for visits to people.

Irregular verbs with infinitives ending in -re are presented in Chapters

7 to 9.

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 89

Inverted Question Forms and liaison

In the inverted question form, the -d of regular third-person singular -re

verbs is pronounced [t]. It links with the vowel in -il, -elle, or -on.

Vend-on... ? [vAn-tOn] Do they sell . . . ?

Attend-il? [ah-tAn-teel] Is he waiting?

Perd-elle... ? [pehR-tehl] Does she lose . . . ?

The liaison with the letter t [t] is also pronounced in the third-person singular

or plural, linking with the following subject pronoun that starts with a vowel.

This applies to verbs of all groups.

Vendent-elles... ? [vAn-d(uh)-tehl] Do they sell . . . ?

Aiment-ils... ? [ehm-teel] Do they love . . . ?

Choisit-on... ? [shwah-zee-tOn] Are we choosing . . . ?

Exercise 5.1

Say and write these sentences in French. Use the present tense of regular verbs ending in -re.

1. Are you (fam.) coming down? ?

2. I'm losing.

3. We're answering.

4. Xavier is selling a truck (un camion).

5. They (f.) visit Grandfather.

6. You (pol.) don't answer.

7. We're waiting for Charles.

8. They (m.) defend their clients.

9. The student (m.) isn't wasting time.

10. Do you (pol.) hear? ?

11. Is she returning the book? ?

12. I'm answering the phone.

90 First Elements of French

Key Vocabulary

How often do you do things? The following adverbs are used after verbs to tell how often or how much you do something. You have already been using some of them.

Expressions de temps (Expressions of Frequency and Time)

beaucoup (a lot; often) toujours (always)

quelquefois, parfois (sometimes) très peu (rarely, hardly ever)

rarement (rarely) un peu (a little)

souvent (often)

J'étudie toujours à la maison. I always study at home.

Gaspard réussit rarement. Gaspard rarely succeeds.

Ils ne répondent pas beaucoup. They don't answer much.

The expressions below also help situate the action. They can all be used with

the present tense, sometimes with the meaning of the near future.

actuellement presently, currently, nowadays

bientôt soon

en ce moment right now

maintenant now

(un peu) plus tard (a little) later

prochain(e) next (adj.)

tout à l'heure in a little while

Où est-ce que tu travailles Where are you working

actuellement? nowadays?

Attends! Je descends bientôt. Wait! I'm coming down soon.

On rend visite à Sylvie tout We're visiting Sylvie in a little

à l'heure. while.

Paul quitte son boulot la Paul is leaving his job next week.

semaine prochaine.

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 91

Exercise 5.2

Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs listed, and translate the time and frequency expressions in parentheses into French. Some of the verbs given will be used more than once.

attendre, défendre, descendre, entendre, perdre, rendre, répondre, vendre

1. Le samedi et le dimanche, on (often)

du temps; on adore le week-end!

2. Tu (rarely) des amis qui

trichent (cheat).

3. Attends-moi! Je (presently)

au téléphone.

4. À l'épicerie, les employés (always)

la monnaie en espèces (in cash).

5. (Right now) je/j' les

résultats de l'examen.

6. -vous (now) le bruit des

avions?

7. Nous (soon) la vieille auto

de Papa à un pauvre étudiant.

8. La semaine (next) , c'est promis: on

à tous les courriels de la semaine passée,

n'est-ce pas?

9. Margot (sometimes) visite à

des amis à Montréal.

10. Est-ce que tu (later) en ville

retrouver tes amis?

11. Les gens très organisés (hardly ever)

leurs affaires (their belongings).

Depuis Versus Since

The word depuis, meaning for or since (in time) follows verbs in the present tense. It precedes either a period of time (deux ans, cinq minutes... ) or a beginning point in time (le 15 août, midi, cinq heures, 2003, mon enfance, le début de l'année... ).

92 First Elements of French

J'étudie le français depuis un an. I've been studying French for

a year.

Nous attendons le bus depuis

quelque temps.

Mon frère habite à Paris depuis

mars.

Ils sont membres de ce groupe

depuis 2002.

We've been waiting for the bus

for a while.

My brother has been living in

Paris since March.

They've been members of this

group since 2002.

• In English the verbs in sentences with for or since are in the present per-

fect, with have past participle or has been a present participle (the

-ing form of the verb): They've been members . . . , I've been studying

. . ., My brother has been living . . .

French always uses the present tense with depuis (Ils sont... ,

J'étudie... , Mon frère habite... ), if the action is current and ongoing.

• To ask the question Since when . . . ? with a point in time, say Depuis

quand... ?

Depuis quand voyagez-vous? Since when have you been

traveling?

-Nous voyageons depuis le -We have been traveling since

25 janvier. January 25.

To ask the question For how long . . . ? or How long . . . ? with a span of

time say Depuis combien de temps... ?

Depuis combien de temps How long have you been living

habites-tu ici? (lived) here?

-J'habite ici depuis six ans. -I've lived here for six years.

Other French Expressions for Since

When used with the present tense, the expressions (il y a... que... , voilà...

que... , and ça fait... que... ) have the same meaning as depuis (since, for).

These expressions-each one includes the time elapsed-precede the main verb.

J'habite à Paris depuis deux ans.

Il y a deux ans que j'habite à Paris. I've lived (been living) in Paris

Voilà deux ans que j'habite à Paris. for two years.

Ça fait deux ans que j'habite à Paris.

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 93

Exercise 5.3

Answer the personal questions using depuis and the present tense. Here, the answer to votre... (your) is mon/ma/mes... (my), before a noun.

1. Depuis combien de temps étudiez-vous le français?

2. Depuis quand êtes-vous étudiant(e)?

3. Parlez-vous une autre langue? Depuis quand?

4. Depuis quand habitez-vous votre maison?

5. Depuis combien de temps travaillez-vous? et dans ce lieu (place) de travail?

6. Depuis quand passez-vous du temps avec votre meilleur(e) ami(e)?

-er Verbs with Spelling Changes

The conjugations of several groups of regular -er verbs have slight spelling irregularities.

There are six major patterns of spelling changes. Learn the following models, and you will know the others in each group.

Verbs like commencer (to begin)

To keep the soft [s] sound, verbs with infinitives ending in -cer change -c- to

-ç- (c cedilla) when -c- occurs before -a- or -o-.

In the present tense, this change occurs in the nous form only (nous commençons).

Present Tense of commencer and lancer

commencer (to begin)

je commence nous commençons

tu commences vous commencez

il/elle/on commence ils/elles commencent

94 First Elements of French

lancer (to throw, launch)

je lance nous lançons

tu lances vous lancez

il/elle/on lance ils/elles lancent

The spelling change in -cer verbs is also found in forms of the imperfect

past tense (Chapter 14) and the present participle (Chapter 12). Other verbs

like commencer include the following:

annoncer to announce

avancer to advance

dénoncer to denounce

divorcer to divorce

forcer (à) to force

menacer to threaten

Tu lances ta boîte cette année?

Nous prononçons bien le

nouveau vocabulaire!

Mes voisins sont en train de

divorcer.

-Quel dommage! C'est un

beau couple.

Vous remplacez ce cours par

un autre?

Verbs like manger (to eat)

percer to pierce

placer to place

prononcer to pronounce remplacer to replace

tracer to trace (out)

Are you opening your business

this year?

We pronounce the new

vocabulary well!

My neighbors are divorcing.

-What a pity! They're a lovely

couple.

Are you replacing this class with

another one?

To keep the soft g sound [j], verbs with infinitives ending in -ger introduce the letter e (a mute e) before an -a- or an -o- at the start of the conjugated verb ending. In the present tense this spelling change occurs in the nous form only (nous mangeons).

Present Tense of manger and exiger

manger (to eat) exiger (to demand)

je mange j'exige

tu manges tu exiges

il/elle/on mange il/elle/on exige

nous mangeons nous exigeons

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 95

vous mangez vous exigez

ils/elles mangent ils/elles exigent

The spelling change for -ger verbs is also seen in the imperfect (Chapter 14)

and the present participle (Chapter 12). Other verbs like manger include

the following:

arranger (to arrange)

bouger (to move)

changer (to change)

corriger (to correct)

dégager (to free, release)

diriger (to direct)

échanger (to exchange)

engager (to hire)

interroger (to question)

juger (to judge)

Nous mélangeons le sucre et

les fruits.

loger (to live [somewhere];

to house)

mélanger (to mix)

nager (to swim)

neiger (to snow)

obliger (à) (to oblige; to force)

partager (to share)

songer (à) (to dream; to think of,

about)

voyager (to travel)

We mix the sugar and the fruit.

Mes parents voyagent beaucoup. My parents travel a lot.

Le patron engage deux ingénieurs. The boss is hiring two engineers.

Nous logeons chez tante Lucie Are we staying with Aunt Lucie

cet été? this summer?

Tu nages bien? Do you swim well?

Il neige (it snows, it is snowing) is used only in the third-person singular (impersonal).

Exercise 5.4

Translate the sentences into French, using verbs conjugated like commencer and

manger.

1. We share the sandwich.

2. They (m.) eat well.

3. When do we begin to talk? ?

4. You pronounce the sentence (la phrase).

5. The neighbors are housing two students.

96 First Elements of French

6. Are you launching the new business (l'entreprise [f.])?

?

7. Charlotte is mixing the ingredients (les ingrédients).

8. Are we announcing the party? ?

9. Do you (pol.) exchange books? ?

10. Aren't you dreaming about vacation? ?

11. The professor demands the homework.

12. We oblige the children to eat vegetables.

13. Are you tracing out the plan (le projet)? ?

14. The boss isn't hiring (any) new employees (employés, m.).

15. Pronouns (pronoms) replace nouns (noms).

Verbs like acheter (to buy)

Verbs with a mute e in the syllable before the -er infinitive ending (acheter,

lever) change the mute e to è (adding a grave accent) in forms that have a

mute e in the verb ending. This means that the rule does not apply to nous

and vous forms.

Present Tense of acheter and lever

acheter (to buy) lever (to raise, lift)

j'achète je lève

tu achètes tu lèves

il/elle/on achète il/elle/on lève

nous achetons nous levons

vous achetez vous levez

ils/elles achètent ils/elles lèvent

Other verbs like acheter include:

achever (de) to finish

amener to bring (s.o.)

élever to erect; to raise

emmener to lead away

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 97

enlever to remove

geler to freeze

se lever to get up, stand up

mener to lead, guide

peser to weigh

promener to walk (e.g., the dog)

se promener to take a walk, a drive

soulever to lift (up)

The pronoun se (or s'), when listed with an infinitive (se lever, se promener),

indicates that the verb is reflexive or pronominal. Reflexive and pronominal

verbs are presented in Chapter 12.

Je pèse les légumes? Shall I weigh the vegetables?

Nous amenons nos amis ce soir. We will bring our friends this

evening.

Guy et sa copine promènent Are Guy and his girlfriend

le chien? walking the dog?

Tu n'achèves pas le travail? Aren't you finishing the job?

Exercise 5.5

Translate the sentences into French, using verbs conjugated like acheter and lever.

1. We finish the work.

2. Marthe weighs the onions (les oignons).

3. Are you (fam.) walking the dog? ?

4. They (m.) lead away the horse (le cheval).

5. Léon removes the books.

6. I'm not bringing Christine this evening.

7. Nicolas and Lise are raising the children well.

8. What are you (fam.) buying? ?

9. Pierre lifts up the big cartons (les gros cartons).

10. The guide leads the tourists to the hotel.

11. Don't you (pol.) buy eggs? ?

12. We raise our hands (la main) in class.

98 First Elements of French

13. Does Émile raise rabbits (des lapins)? ?

14. They (f.) finish speaking.

15. I'm not buying the groceries (les provisions).

Verbs like préférer (to prefer)

Verbs with an -é- (acute accent) in the syllable before the -er infinitive ending (préférer, céder) change the -é- to -è- (with a grave accent) in forms where it occurs in the final sounded syllable.

The verb ending after -è- is unsounded. Therefore, this spelling change does not apply to nous or vous forms, or to the infinitive.

Present Tense of préférer and céder

préférer (to prefer) céder (to yield, give in)

je préfère je cède

tu préfères tu cèdes

il/elle/on préfère il/elle/on cède

nous préférons nous cédons

vous préférez vous cédez

ils/elles préfèrent ils/elles cèdent

Verbs like préférer retain the acute accent (-é-) in all forms of the future

and the conditional (je préférerai I will prefer; elle préférerait she would

prefer) (Chapter 15). Other verbs like préférer include:

célébrer to celebrate

compléter to complete

considérer to consider

espérer to hope to

exagérer to exaggerate

(s')inquiéter to worry

pénétrer to penetrate

posséder to own, possess

répéter to repeat

révéler to show, reveal

suggérer to suggest

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 99

Qu'est-ce que vous préférez?

J'espère que tu considères

le résultat.

Ils suggèrent que je mange

moins de sucre.

Tu exagères!

-Non, je n'exagère pas!

Elle t'aime bien.

Exercise 5.6

What do you prefer?

I hope you are thinking about

the result.

They suggest I eat less sugar.

You are exaggerating!

-No, I am not exaggerating!

She likes you a lot.

Translate the sentences into French using verbs conjugated like préférer and céder.

1. We hope to succeed.

2. Are they (f.) celebrating the birthday? ?

3. I hope to travel in the summer.

4. The professor repeats the question.

5. She doesn't own a car.

6. He's exaggerating.

7. The article reveals the truth (la vérité).

8. Are you (fam.) considering the facts (les faits)?

?

9. Aren't you (pol.) repeating the course? ?

10. You're (fam.) worrying your (tes) parents! !

11. We suggest a good movie.

12. Aren't you (fam.) completing the assignment (le devoir)?

?

13. Do you (pol.) prefer coffee or tea? ?

14. She's yielding the lane (la voie) to the other car.

15. Christophe prefers green beans.

100 First Elements of French

Verbs like appeler (to call; to name) and jeter (to throw [away])

Present tense forms of verbs with infinitives ending with -eler or -eter dou-

ble the consonant (l or t) when the conjugated verb ending contains a mute

e. This change does not occur in the present tense nous and vous forms of appeler and jeter.

Present Tense of appeler and jeter

appeler (to call; to name) jeter (to throw [away])

j'appelle je jette

tu appelles tu jettes

il/elle/on appelle il/elle/on jette

nous appelons nous jetons

vous appelez vous jetez

ils/elles appellent ils/elles jettent

The spelling change to a double consonant for verbs like appeler and jeter

also occurs in all forms of the future and the conditional (Chapter 15). Other

verbs like appeler and jeter include:

s'appeler to be named, be called (see Chapter 12)

épeler to spell

projeter to plan; to project

rappeler to recall; to call again; to remind

se rappeler to remember (see Chapter 12)

rejeter to reject; to throw back

renouveler to renew; to renovate

Je vous rappelle que nous

sommes en retard.

Vous jetez déjà les journaux?

On projette le film lundi

prochain.

I am reminding you that we're

late.

Are you throwing out the

newspapers already?

They are showing the film next

Monday.

Elles appellent leurs amis le soir. They phone their friends in the

evenings.

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 101

Exercise 5.7

Translate the sentences into French using verbs conjugated like appeler and jeter.

1. What's your (pol.) name? ?

2. My name is Rachelle.

3. Are you (fam.) calling Marc? ?

4. I don't throw away the magazines.

5. How does one (on) spell the name? ?

6. We're planning a vacation.

7. I call Mom on Saturdays.

8. She's calling Zoé again this evening (ce soir).

9. He doesn't throw the ball (le ballon).

10. We're renovating the bathroom.

11. She rejects the idea.

12. Are you (pol.) tossing out the old newspapers? ?

13. I'm renewing the passport.

14. When are they (on) showing the movie? ?

15. What are they (m.) planning? ?

Verbs like envoyer (to send) and essayer (to try)

Verbs with infinitives ending in -yer change -y- into -i- before a mute e in a conjugated verb ending. This spelling change does not occur in the nous and vous forms.

Present Tense of envoyer and essayer

envoyer (to send) essayer (to try)

j'envoie j'essaie

tu envoies tu essaies

il/elle/on envoie il/elle/on essaie

nous envoyons nous essayons

vous envoyez vous essayez

ils/elles envoient ils/elles essaient

102 First Elements of French

The spelling change for verbs like envoyer also occurs in the future and the conditional (Chapter 15).

Some writers in French do not make the spelling change for verbs ending in -ayer (essayer and payer), retaining the -y- before a mute e (j'essaye, elles essayent). Pronunciation remains the same: [jeh-say, ehl-zeh-say]. Other verbs like envoyer and essayer include:

aboyer to bark (dog)

appuyer (sur) to lean on; to support; to press on

employer to use

ennuyer to bore; to annoy

essuyer to wipe; to undergo, suffer

nettoyer to clean

s'ennuyer to be/get bored (see Chapter 12)

payer to pay, to pay for

Elles envoient des cartes au

Nouvel An.

Le samedi nous nettoyons la

salle de bains.

Je t'assure. Ce chien aboie toute

la nuit.

Vous payez les factures à la fin

du mois?

They send cards at New Year's.

We clean the bathroom on

Saturday.

Believe me. That dog barks all

night.

Do you pay the bills at the end of

the month?

The French verb payer (to pay for) is followed immediately by a direct object; there is no equivalent of the English for: Je paie mon repas en espèces. (I pay for my meal in cash.)

Exercise 5.8

Translate the sentences into French using verbs conjugated like envoyer and

essayer.

1. I send postcards.

2. You (fam.) don't try to succeed.

3. The little dog barks.

4. She tries to be patient.

5. He supports my application (ma demande).

6. Don't you (pol.) use a computer? ?

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 103

7. We use dictionaries.

8. I wipe the stove.

9. You (fam.) pay for lunch.

10. Évelyne cleans the kitchen.

11. Does she bore the students? ?

12. I press (on) the keys (les touches).

13. We're paying their salary (leur salaire).

14. Are you (pol.) using the money (l'argent) well? ?

15. They (m.) send the books.

Exercise 5.9

Using the suggested verbs, complete the sentences, possibly using the infinitive. Each verb will only be used once.

acheter, annoncer, appeler, commencer, envoyer, essayer, jeter, lever, manger, partager, payer, préférer, projeter, prononcer, répéter, voyager

1. -tu les provisions à l'épicerie?

2. Marc et Sophie n'aiment pas la cuisine vietnamienne; ils

la cuisine thaïlandaise.

3. On le film à vingt-deux heures.

4. Marie est à la poste; elle un gros paquet.

5. Le repas dans ce restaurant est trop copieux; donc, nous

le plat.

6. Je trouve les exercices difficiles, pourtant je/j' de

finir les devoirs.

7. Il est déjà tard. Quand -nous à dîner?

8. Finalement, nous bien les voyelles et les consonnes

françaises.

9. Le mardi soir, je/j'

10. Le professeur

11. Monique

question.

12. Les enfants adorent

toujours les vieux journaux.

un examen pour demain.

toujours la main, pour répondre à une

des bonbons.

104 First Elements of French

13. Mes parents sont libres maintenant; ils beaucoup en

Europe.

14. Tu les factures (bills) à la fin du mois?

15. Vous êtes aussi dans cette classe? Comment vous -

vous?

16. En classe, le prof -t-il les phrases (sentences)

plusieurs fois?

Key Vocabulary

When we travel, we often want to replace items, purchase new clothes, or shop for souvenirs.

Les vêtements et les accessoires (Clothing and Accessories)

un appareil-photo (camera) un maillot de bain (swimsuit)

des bas (m.) (stockings) un manteau (coat, overcoat)

des boucles d'oreille (f.) (earrings) une montre (wristwatch)

un bracelet (bracelet) un pantalon (pants, trousers)

un caleçon (men's briefs)

une ceinture (belt)

un chapeau (hat)

des chaussettes (f.) (socks)

des chaussures (f.) (shoes)

une chemise (shirt)

un chemisier (blouse)

un collier (necklace)

une écharpe (scarf [knit])

un foulard (scarf [silk])

des gants (m.) (gloves)

un gilet (vest)

un jean (jeans)

une jupe (skirt)

des lunettes (de soleil) (f.)

([sun]glasses)

des pantoufles (f.) (slippers)

un parapluie (umbrella)

un portable (cell phone)

un portefeuille (wallet)

un pull (sweater)

un pyjama (pyjamas)

une robe (dress)

une robe de nuit (nightgown)

un sac (à main) (handbag)

des sandales (f.) (sandals)

un short ([pair of] shorts)

un slip (underpants [f.])

un sweat-shirt (sweatshirt)

un T-shirt (T-shirt)

un soutien-gorge (bra)

une veste (jacket)

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 105

Articles de toilette (Toiletries)

une brosse à cheveux hairbrush

une brosse à dents toothbrush

des couches (jetables) (f.) disposable diapers

une crème démaquillante cleansing cream, cold cream

une crème solaire sunscreen

du démêlant (m.) (hair) conditioner

du dentifrice (m.) toothpaste

du déodorant (m.) deodorant

une éponge sponge

du fil et une aiguille thread and a needle

une lotion (après-rasage) (after-shave) lotion

du maquillage (m.) makeup

un miroir mirror

des mouchoirs (m.) tissues

une lime à ongles nail file

du vernis à ongles (m.) nail polish

du papier hygiénique (m.) toilet paper

du parfum (m.) perfume

un peigne comb

des lames de rasoir (f.) razor blades

un rouge à lèvres lipstick

un rasoir (électrique) (electric) razor

un savon (cake of) soap

un sèche-cheveux hair dryer

des serviettes hygiéniques (f.) sanitary napkins

du shampooing (m.) shampoo

des tampons périodiques (m.) tampons

Exercise 5.10

Write the names of the items in French.

1. a lipstick

2. men's briefs

3. razor blades

4. earrings

106 First Elements of French

5. a belt

6. a wristwatch

7. a pair of jeans

8. a swimsuit

9. a handbag

10. tissues

11. a hair dryer

12. a jacket

13. sunglasses

14. an umbrella

15. a wallet

16. a skirt

17. sunblock

18. a comb

19. slippers

20. toothpaste

Exercise 5.11

You're packing for a summer trip. Write in French the items requested below.

1. Vous organisez votre trousse de toilette (toiletry kit). De quoi avez-vous

besoin?

2. Vous partez pour la Martinique. Qu'est-ce que vous placez dans la valise?

3. Avant le voyage, achetez-vous certaines choses? Qu'achetez-vous?

Regular -re Verbs in the Present Tense and -er Verbs with Spelling Changes 107

e Reading Comprehension

En ville

Le samedi matin vers onze heures, j'adore retrouver mes amies pour vi-

siter les magasins et les boutiques de notre centre-ville. On réfléchit bien

avant de choisir les courses: parfois, on a besoin de provisions pour le

dîner de samedi soir. Ou bien, c'est bientôt les Fêtes et nous avons le plaisir

de choisir des cadeaux pour nos proches, et naturellement pour nous-

mêmes! Les grands magasins et les hypermarchés sont bien, mais nous pré-

férons fréquenter les petits commerces qui sont encore tenus par une seule

famille: pour les aliments, il y a la boulangerie, le marchand de fruits de

légumes et la boucherie, et pour les autres achats, il y a par exemple: la

librairie-papeterie, la cordonnerie, la droguerie, etc. En fin de matinée

nous passons à l'agence de voyages pour feuilleter des brochures et rêver de

nos prochaines vacances.

À midi et demi, dans notre restaurant favori, le serveur nous demande:

« Vous êtes prêtes à commander? » Et nous lui demandons de recom-

mander quelque chose de bon. Nous choisissons une bisque de homard,

une salade verte, et comme dessert, une bombe glacée à partager.

retrouver to get together

les boutiques (f. pl.) shops

avant de before

notre centre-ville (m.) our downtown

les courses (f. pl.) errands

les Fêtes (f. pl.) the holidays

des cadeaux (m. pl.) gifts

nos proches (m. pl.) our loved ones

nous-mêmes ourselves

tenu(e)(s) maintained, managed

seul(e) one, single

les autres achats (m. pl.) other purchases

en fin de matinée in the late morning

feuilleter to leaf through

être prêt(e)(s) à to be ready to

commander to order

lui him

quelque chose de bon something good

une bisque de homard lobster bisque

une bombe glacée ice-cream dessert

partager to share

108 First Elements of French

Questions

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. Quelles sont les activités de la narratrice et de ses (her) amies? Quelles

courses choisissent-elles?

2. Quels commerces préfèrent-elles?

3. Que regardent-elles à l'agence de voyages? Pourquoi?

4. Qu'est-ce qu'elles commandent comme repas au restaurant?

6

Expressing the Future

with aller, Prepositions,

and the Verb faire

The Verb aller (to go)

The verb aller is irregular in the present tense. It expresses direction, movement, or intention.

You will notice that the conjugations of aller and faire (to do; to make), are similar in some forms, but it is best to learn them separately.

Present Tense of aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

il/elle/on va ils/elles vont

Nous allons au resto, mais

Richard va au cinéma.

Mes sœurs vont bientôt à Paris. Vous n'allez pas en Europe?

We are going to the restaurant,

but Richard is going to the movies.

My sisters are going to Paris soon. Aren't you going to Europe?

You've already learned forms of the verb aller in several expressions of

greeting.

Comment allez-vous?

(Comment vas-tu?)

-Je vais bien, merci.

Salut, ça va?

109

How are you? (pol.) (Literally:

How are you going?)

(How are you? [fam.])

-I am well, thank you.

Hi, how is it going? (fam.)

110 First Elements of French

-Ça va bien, merci. -Fine, thanks. (It is going well,

thanks.)

(Ça ne va pas très bien.) (It is not going very well.)

Exercise 6.1

Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verb aller.

1. Tu en Suisse cet été?

2. Philippe bientôt au travail.

3. Nous au théâtre samedi soir.

4. Régine -t-elle à La Nouvelle-Orléans?

5. Comment -vous?

6. Comment les enfants?

Expressing the Future with aller

Aller infinitive (called le futur proche) is often used to express a future

event, usually something that will happen in the near future.

Aller infinitive may also refer to more distant future plans, events, or

intentions.

On va appeler Simone.

Elles vont quitter Genève

ce soir.

Tu vas porter un jean?

Nous allons décider plus tard.

We are going to call Simone.

They are going to leave Geneva

this evening.

You are going to wear jeans?

We are going to decide later.

Questions with aller infinitive are formed with intonation or est-ce que in the usual way. Inversion, if used, is made with the conjugated form of aller, before the infinitive.

With a Pronoun Subject

Tu vas porter un jean?

Est-ce que tu vas porter un jean? Are you going to wear jeans?

Vas-tu porter un jean?

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 111

With a Noun Subject

Jean-Claude va porter un jean? Is Jean-Claude

Est-ce que Jean-Claude va porter un jean? going to wear

Jean-Claude va-t-il porter un jean? jeans?

As with other verbs, the negative ne... pas construction surrounds the conjugated forms of aller. In aller infinitive, pas precedes the infinitive.

Elle ne va pas arriver avant midi. She won't/isn't going to arrive

before noon.

Vous n'allez pas passer à la poste? Aren't you going to stop at the

post office?

Key Vocabulary

The following expressions are often used with the construction aller

infinitive. They can follow the verb or be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Alors, quand vas-tu... ? (So, when are you going to . . . ?)

l'année prochaine next year

après-demain the day after tomorrow

cet après-midi this afternoon

bientôt soon

demain tomorrow

dans huit/quinze jours in a week/two weeks

ce matin this morning

la semaine prochaine next week

ce soir this evening, tonight

tout à l'heure in a little while, soon

tout de suite right away, immediately

(un peu) plus tard (a little) later

ce week-end this weekend

Je vais dîner tout à l'heure. I'm going to have dinner in a

little while.

Demain, nous allons retrouver Tomorrow, we'll meet our friends.

nos copains.

Où est-ce que tu vas loger Where are you going to stay

ce soir? tonight?

112 First Elements of French

Exercise 6.2

Create and write a question using the elements given, and then answer it in French.

1. où/aller/vous/étudier/cet après-midi?

?

2. quand/les étudiants/aller/quitter/le campus?

?

3. combien de/argent/aller/vous/gagner (to earn)/cet été?

?

4. quel/aliments/aller/elle/acheter?

?

5. que/aller/tu/nettoyer/ce week-end?

?

Exercise 6.3

Read the English indirect sentence, and then write the original direct sentence in

French.

1. Simone says she's going to arrive this afternoon.

« Je . »

2. Mom says the children are going to visit the museum (le musée) next

week.

« Les enfants . »

3. Pierre says he and Josette are going to travel next year.

« Nous . »

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 113

4. My good friend Diane asks me if I'm going to work this weekend.

« ? »

5. Dad asks the children where they are going to go.

« Où ? »

À, de, and Other Prepositions

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence, clause, or phrase. In general, prepositions are followed by verb infinitives, nouns, or pronouns.

• A few of the most commonly used prepositions are:

à (at; to; in) en (in; on)

avec (with) pour (for; to, in order to)

de (of; from; about) sans (without)

Bruno arrive avec Éliane. Bruno is coming with Éliane.

Roger va dîner avec nous. Roger is going to have dinner

with us.

Marceline parle souvent sans Marceline often speaks without

écouter. listening.

Est-ce que tu travailles pour Do you work in order to earn a

gagner ta vie? living?

J'aime voyager seul, sans I like to travel alone, without

compagnons. companions.

• En is often used in fixed expressions of space and time. It's best to learn

each expression as a whole.

Nous sommes en classe ce matin. We're in class this morning.

Elle est en retard/en avance. She's late/early.

Michel préfère voyager en avion. Michel prefers to travel by plane.

On skie en hiver. We ski in (the) winter.

114 First Elements of French

Exercise 6.4

Read the sentences, inserting the French translation of the missing elements.

1. Ariane arrive (without Nicolas)

2. Est-ce que tu étudies (in order to succeed) ?

3. Les élèves sont (in class) toute la semaine.

4. Je préfère entrer chez le dentiste (without waiting)

5. Est-ce que Roger travaille (in order to pay) le loyer

(the rent)?

6. Nous aimons aller à la plage (in summer)

The Prepositions à and de

The prepositions à and de are so common in French that they are hardly noticed, except when the wrong one is used!

À

The preposition à is used in a number of constructions.

• To indicate location or destination (at, in, or to), and with the

names of most cities

J'habite à Bruxelles. I live in Brussels.

Elles vont à la banque. They're going to the bank.

Est-ce que Pierre est à la maison? Is Pierre at home?

• Meaning to or for, before an indirect object noun (usually a

person or a pet)

Tu donnes le pull à Jacques. You give the sweater to Jacques.

Il demande le numéro à Chantal. He asks Chantal for the number.

Attends! Nous donnons à manger Wait up! We're feeding Fido!

à Fido!

The following French verbs always require à before the indirect object

noun.

demander à (to ask [for]) parler à (to speak to)

donner à (to give to) répondre à (to answer [to])

montrer à (to show to) téléphoner à (to phone, to call)

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 115

Le prof montre la leçon The professor shows the lesson

à l'étudiant. to the student.

Patrick, tu ne vas pas répondre Patrick, aren't you going to

à Maman? answer Mom?

De/d'

The preposition de/d' is used in four different ways:

• To indicate where someone or something comes from

Est-ce que Salim est de Is Salim from Marseille?

Marseille?

Nous arrivons d'Orléans. We're coming from Orléans.

• To express possession and the concept of belonging to or being a

part of something

There is no possessive 's (apostrophe s) in French.

Voici la valise de Mme Leblanc. Here's Mme Leblanc's suitcase.

Tu travailles à la librairie Do you work at the university

de l'université? bookstore?

• When used with the verb parler to mean about

De quoi parlez-vous? What are you talking about?

-On parle de la nouvelle -We're talking about the new

épicerie. grocery store.

• When used as a descriptive phrase before a noun

This type of phrase is the equivalent of an adjective in English.

le professeur de chimie the chemistry professor

la vie d'étudiant student life

le livre de chinois the Chinese book

l'agent de voyages the travel agent

Though English nouns can be used as adjectives (the history book), French always uses de/d' noun in these cases (le livre d'histoire).

116 First Elements of French

Contractions of à and de with the Definite Articles le and les

The prepositions à and de must combine with the definite articles le and les (both m. and f. plural), forming the contractions below. La and l' (both m. and f.) do not combine with à and de.

• à la à la

Camille va à la boulangerie.

• à l' à l'

Elle arrive à l'école.

• à le au

Elle va au cinéma.

• à les aux

Elle téléphone aux amis de Nicole. • de la de la

Bernard arrive de la banque. • de l' de l'

Il rentre de l'université.

• de le du

Il rentre du travail.

• de les des

Il rentre des champs.

Camille is going to the bakery.

She arrives at school.

She's going to the movies.

She's phoning Nicole's friends.

Bernard is coming from the bank.

He comes back from the

university.

He comes home from work.

He comes in from the fields.

There is a liaison-linking with the sound [z]-when aux and des precede a noun starting with a vowel: aux hommes [oh-zuhm], des amis [day-zah-mee].

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 117

Exercise 6.5

Read the questions and answer each one three times using the nouns provided.

1. Annick répond à la dame? -Non, elle... (élèves, serveur, femme du prof)

2. De quoi parlez-vous? de l'art africain? -Non, nous... (livre de sociologie,

musique des Beatles, sports américains)

3. Khaled va arriver de Rabat? -Non, il... (librairie, cours [sing.] d'anglais,

Paris)

Exercise 6.6

Translate the phrases into French.

1. Michelle's class

2. the restaurant's menu

3. the professor's handbag

4. Monsieur Dupont's house

5. the children's books

6. the pharmacy's bill (la facture)

7. the neighbor's (m.) jacket

8. the child's toothbrush

118 First Elements of French

Prepositions of Location

Here are some common prepositions of location, place, or position. Several sets are opposites and can be learned in pairs.

Some prepositions are compound, i.e., made up of more than one word.

The de of a compound preposition changes to d' before a vowel, and to du

and des combined with the articles le and les respectively: à côté du mur

(next to the wall); loin des grandes villes (far from the large cities).

à côté de (beside, next to)

à droite de à gauche de (to the right [left] of)

entre (between)

à l'est de à l'ouest de (to the east [west] of)

loin de près de (far from near)

en face de (facing, opposite)

au nord de au sud de (to the north [south] of)

par (by; through)

dans hors de (in, inside [outside] of)

par terre (on the floor/ground)

derrière devant (behind in front of)

sous sur (under on top of)

Marielle est dans la cuisine. Marielle is in the kitchen.

Elle est devant le frigo. She is in front of the fridge.

Le frigo est en face de la fenêtre. The fridge is opposite the window.

Dans le frigo, le lait est derrière In the fridge, the milk is behind

les œufs.

Les gâteaux sont entre le lait et

les pommes.

Le chat est par terre, à droite

de Marielle.

La boîte est à côté du lait, près

de la porte.

Exercise 6.7

the eggs.

The cookies are between the milk

and the apples.

The cat is on the floor, on

Marielle's right.

The can is next to the milk, near

the door.

Read the descriptions, and sketch what is described on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Il y a un livre à côté d'un crayon.

2. Il y a une pomme entre une banane et un sandwich.

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 119

3. Il y a un portefeuille dans le sac d'Anne-Marie.

4. Il y a une fenêtre à gauche du bureau du professeur.

Exercise 6.8

Read the questions and answer each question with the opposite preposition.

1. Frédéric est dans la maison?

Non, il

2. Marthe travaille-t-elle près de chez elle?

Non, elle

3. Passons-nous à gauche de l'église?

Non, nous

4. La voiture est-elle devant le cinéma?

Non, elle

5. Est-ce que l'Allemagne est à l'ouest de la France?

Non, elle

6. Les assiettes sont-elles sous la table?

Non, elles

Prepositions of Time and Sequence

Prepositions that deal with time and sequence can be hard to distinguish

from one another. The following example sentences and explanations will

help.

après noun after

Je vais en ville après (le) I'm going into town after lunch.

déjeuner.

avant de/d' infinitive before (in time)

Nous dînons avant de regarder We have dinner before watching

le film. the movie.

120 First Elements of French

dans time period in (the time that will elapse until something occurs)

Chantal arrive dans dix jours. Chantal arrives in ten days

(ten days from now).

depuis point in time or length of time since, for (action still

going on in the present)

J'étudie le français depuis deux I've been studying French for two

ans. years.

J'étudie le français depuis I've been studying French since

janvier 2007. January 2007.

en time period in (the length of time it takes to accomplish

something)

Il est possible de préparer un It's possible to prepare a meal in

repas en une heure. an hour.

jusqu'à point in time until

Laurence reste ici jusqu'à Laurence is staying here until

mercredi. Wednesday.

pendant time period during; for (duration of an action)

Pendant l'année scolaire, René During the school year, René

travaille dur. works hard.

En été, je vais à Grenoble Every summer, I go to Grenoble

pendant deux semaines. for two weeks.

Pendant can very often be omitted before the expression of duration.

Je travaille quatre heures I'm working (for) four hours

aujourd'hui. today.

Il regarde la télé toute la journée! He watches TV all day long!

pour for (before a time expression, used only in making future plans)

Nous projetons d'aller au Brésil We're planning to go to Brazil

pour un mois. for a month.

Do not confuse pendant duration with pour duration. Pendant (for) is the preposition used to express length of time or duration, while pour (for) is used only to express future plans.

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 121

How Do We Travel?

En is used with the means of transportation that one may enter.

en autobus (en bus) by bus

en autocar by (intercity) bus

en avion by plane

en bateau by boat (ship)

en camion by truck

en métro by subway

en train by train

en voiture by car

À is used with the means of transportation that one mounts or rides on.

à bicyclette (à vélo) by bicycle (bike)

à cheval on horseback

à mobylette by (on a) moped

à motocyclette (à moto) by (on a) motorcycle

à scooter by (on a) scooter

À is also used in the expression à pied (on foot, by walking).

On va à pied au cinéma? Shall we walk to the movies?

Exercise 6.9

Translate the sentences into French.

1. After breakfast, we'll wait for Marceline.

2. I think she'll be ready (prête) in two hours.

3. I'm finishing the assignment in an hour and a half.

122 First Elements of French

4. Shall we walk to the supermarket?

?

5. Joseph and Christine are going to Switzerland (en Suisse) for three weeks.

Interrogatives with Prepositions

To ask about people and things, question words are sometimes combined with prepositions.

Qui and quoi in a Question After Prepositions

After a preposition, qui is used to refer to people, and quoi (not que) is used to refer to things. Use either est-ce que or inversion.

Study the examples below, with and without prepositions. The verb determines the preposition to be used, if any.

Qui appelles-tu? Whom are you calling?

À qui est-ce que tu téléphones? Whom are you phoning?

Avec qui est-ce qu'il travaille?

Qu'est-ce que tu regardes?

À quoi est-ce que le prof

réfléchit?

De quoi parlez-vous?

The Interrogative Pronoun lequel

With whom does he work?

What are you watching?

What is the professor thinking

about?

What are you talking about?

Lequel, laquelle, lesquels, and lesquelles (which one[s]?) refer to, and

agree with, one or more persons or things already mentioned in a sentence or

conversation. Interrogatives using lequel are often single-word questions.

On va regarder le film ce soir?

-Lequel?

Voici des actrices françaises.

Laquelle est-ce que tu préfères?

Je choisis trois romans dans

cette liste.

-Lesquels (choisis-tu)?

Are we going to watch the movie

this evening?

-Which one?

Here are some French actresses.

Which one do you prefer?

I'm picking three novels from

this list.

-Which ones (are you choosing)?

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 123

In questions, lequel follows a preposition when the verb or the following noun calls for one.

De and à contract with the syllables le and les to make duquel, desquel(le)s, auquel, and auxquel(le)s. Laquelle does not contract (de laquelle, à laquelle).

Éric joue dans une pièce

de théâtre.

-Dans laquelle joue-t-il? Dans mon article, je parle de

plusieurs sujets.

-Desquels (parlez-vous)?

Éric is acting in a play.

-Which (one) is he acting in?

In my article, I talk about several

subjects.

-Which ones (are you talking

about)?

Marianne et Guy vont à plusieurs Marianne and Guy are going to a

conférences. few lectures.

-Auxquelles (vont-ils)? -Which ones (are they going to)?

Exercise 6.10

Answer the questions using the nouns provided.

1. À qui téléphones-tu? (professeur)

2. Qu'est-ce que tu jettes? (vieux journaux)

3. À quoi penses-tu? (vacances d'été)

4. De qui parles-tu? (vedettes [stars] de cinéma)

5. De quoi as-tu besoin maintenant? (verre de limonade)

Now, complete each of the questions with a form of lequel. Antecedents are in

italics.

6. Jeanne-Marie parle plusieurs langues (f.). - est-ce qu'elle

parle?

7. Marc entre dans une boutique. - entre-t-il?

8. Je parle de mes bons amis. - parles-tu?

9. Nous pensons aux romans policiers (m. pl.). - pensez-

vous?

10. Je préfère un roman d'Alexandre Dumas.- préfères-tu?

124 First Elements of French

Key Vocabulary

See Chapter 1 for a list of nouns and adjectives of nationality.

Des pays du monde (Some Nations of the World)

l'Afghanistan (m.) (Afghanistan) Israël (m.) (Israel)

l'Algérie (f.) (Algeria) l'Italie (f.) (Italy)

l'Allemagne (f.) (Germany) le Japon (Japan)

l'Angleterre (f.) (England) la Jordanie (Jordan)

l'Arabie saoudite (f.) (Saudi Arabia) le Liban (Lebanon)

l'Autriche (f.) (Austria) la Libye (Libya)

la Belgique (Belgium) le Maroc (Morocco)

le Cameroun (Cameroon)

le Canada (Canada)

la Chine (China)

la Côte-d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

l'Écosse (f.) (Scotland)

l'Égypte (f.) (Egypt)

l'Espagne (f.) (Spain)

les États-Unis (m.)

(the United States)

la France (France)

la Grèce (Greece)

l'Haïti (m.) (Haiti)

l'Indonésie (f.) (Indonesia)

l'Irak (m.) (Iraq)

l'Iran (m.) (Iran)

l'Irlande (f.) (Ireland)

Exercise 6.11

le Mexique (Mexico)

le Pakistan (Pakistan)

la Pologne (Poland)

la République slovaque

(Slovakia)

la République tchèque

(the Czech Republic)

la Russie (Russia)

le Sénégal (Senegal)

la Suisse (Switzerland)

la Syrie (Syria)

la Thaïlande (Thailand)

la Tunisie (Tunisia)

la Turquie (Turkey)

le Viêt-Nam (Vietnam)

Choose three or more countries from the list above to complete the statements. Use

the definite article (except for Israël).

1. sont en Europe.

2. sont en Afrique du Nord.

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 125

3. sont dans le Moyen-Orient.

4. sont en Asie.

Prepositions with Geographical Names

The prepositions à, en, au, de/d', du, and dans are used with geographical names in French.

Gender of Geographical Names

In a sentence, names of continents, countries, provinces, and states are generally preceded by a masculine or feminine definite article.

La France est un beau pays. France is a beautiful country.

Le Canada et le Mexique Canada and Mexico belong to

participent à l'ALÉNA. NAFTA.

• Place names ending in -e are usually feminine: l'Italie (f.). There are

exceptions: le Mexique.

• Place names not ending in -e are usually masculine: le Canada. See

examples in the previous list.

• The names of most continents are feminine.

l'Afrique (f.) (Africa)

l'Amérique (f.) du Nord

(North America)

l'Amérique (f.) du Sud

(South America)

l'Antarctique (m.) (Antarctica)

l'Océanie (f.) (Oceania or South

Sea Islands; may include

Australia and New Zealand)

l'Arctique (m.) (the Arctic)

l'Asie (f.) (Asia)

l'Australie (f.) (Australia)

l'Europe (f.) (Europe)

• The names of most states in the United States are masculine: le Ken-

tucky, le Connecticut. However, the names of nine U.S. states are

feminine:

la Californie California la Louisiane Louisiana

la Caroline du Nord North Carolina la Pennsylvanie Pennsylvania

126 First Elements of French

la Caroline du Sud South Carolina la Virginie Virginia

la Floride Florida la Virginie West Virginia

la Géorgie Georgia occidentale

Canada

Here are the French and English names and genders of the Canadian prov-

inces and territories. The capital or principal city is in parentheses after the

English name.

l'Alberta (m.)

la Colombie-Britannique

l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard (f.)

le Manitoba

le Nouveau-Brunswick

la Nouvelle-Écosse

le Nunavut

l'Ontario (m.)

le Québec

la Saskatchewan

la Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador

les Territoires du Nord-Ouest (m.)

le Yukon

Alberta (Edmonton)

British Columbia (Victoria) Prince Edward Island

(Charlottetown)

Manitoba (Winnipeg)

New Brunswick (Fredericton) Nova Scotia (Halifax)

Nunavut Territory (Iqaluit) Ontario (Toronto)

Quebec (Quebec)

Saskatchewan (Regina)

Newfoundland and Labrador the Northwest Territories

(Yellowknife)

the Yukon (territory) (Whitehorse)

To, in, and from with Geographical Names

Cities, states, islands, countries, and continents are used with different prepositions.

• With the names of cities and many islands, use à to express to or in and

de/d' to express from.

Nous habitons à Genève. We live in Geneva.

Aujourd'hui, nous rentrons Today, we're coming home from

de Paris. Paris.

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 127

A few cities-such as La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans), La Ha-

vane (Havana), Le Havre, and Le Caire (Cairo)-are always expressed

with a definite article. Le forms the usual contractions with à and de.

Les Hébert arrivent de La The Héberts are coming from

Nouvelle-Orléans. New Orleans.

Ils voyagent au Caire. They are traveling to Cairo.

À and de/d' are also used with states or countries located on islands

or groups of islands.

Les étudiants vont à Hawaï. The students are going to Hawaii.

Cette famille arrive d'Haïti. This family is coming from Haiti.

Je vais à la Martinique et à I'm going to Martinique and

la Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe.

En can also be used to express to with Martinique and Guadeloupe.

• With masculine countries, states, and provinces, use au (aux for plural)

to express to or in, and du (des for plural) to express from.

Mes voisins retournent au Japon. My neighbors are returning to

Japan.

Ils voyagent aussi aux États-Unis. They're also traveling in the

United States.

On parle français au Québec. French is spoken in Quebec.

Nous rentrons du Mexique et We're coming back from Mexico

du Texas. and from Texas.

Cet avion arrive des États-Unis. That plane's arriving from the

United States.

Sylvie est originaire du Québec Sylvie is from (the province of)

et Roland, du Nouveau- Quebec, and Roland is from

Brunswick. New Brunswick.

With masculine states and provinces, you may sometimes see dans le/l' for to or in and du/de l' for from.

New Haven est dans le New Haven is in Connecticut.

Connecticut.

Carole rentre de l'Ontario. Carole's coming home from

Ontario.

128 First Elements of French

• With names of continents and feminine countries, states, and provinces,

en expresses to or in and de/d'-without the article-expresses from.

Les Métayer habitent en The Métayers live in Louisiana.

Louisiane.

Je vais en Afrique au mois I'm going to Africa in March.

de mars.

Il a une maison en France. He has a house in France.

Son vol arrive d'Italie. Her flight is arriving from Italy.

Georges est originaire de Pologne. Georges is from Poland.

Voici un bon vin de Californie. Here's a good wine from

California.

Nous voyageons en Bretagne We're traveling in Brittany and

et en Normandie. in Normandy.

• Masculine countries that start with a vowel sound (Israël, l'Irak, l'Iran)

also use en for to and in and d' for from.

Ce diplomate travaille en Israël. That diplomat works in Israel.

Ses parents sont originaires d'Iran. His parents are from Iran.

Voici des nouvelles d'Irak. Here's some news from Iraq.

The country of Israël is never expressed with a definite article: Israël est au Moyen-Orient. (Israel is in the Middle East.)

Exercise 6.12

Insert the correct French preposition or the preposition and the country name.

To, in:

1. Nous allons Bretagne cet été. -Moi, je préfère aller Paris.

2. Les Dubois projettent de voyager Turquie et Grèce.

3. Vas-tu Hawaï?

4. J'aime mieux passer les vacances Mexique.

5. Robert va travailler Afrique pour six mois.

6. Québec (province), tout le monde parle français.

7. Bangkok est

8. Kaboul est

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 129

From:

9. Ils arrivent Canada.

10. Mes parents sont originaires France.

11. Les soldats sont de retour Irak.

12. Ce sont des oranges Afrique du Nord.

13. Cet avion arrive États-Unis.

14. La touriste téléphone La Havane.

The Verb faire (to do; to make)

The irregular verb faire is used in numerous expressions and contexts.

Present Tense of faire (to do; to make)

je fais nous faisons

tu fais vous faites

il/elle/on fait ils/elles font

Qu'est-ce qu'on fait ce soir? What are we doing this evening?

-Nous faisons nos devoirs. -We are doing our homework.

-Robert et Ginette font des -Robert and Ginette are doing

courses. errands.

Fais/fait [feh] and faites [feht] are pronounced with an open vowel sound

[eh], but faisons [fuh-zOn] is pronounced with a mute e sound [uh].

Je fais [feh] ma valise.

Vous faites [feht] du sport?

Nous faisons [fuh-zOn] le

ménage aujourd'hui.

The Weather, Day, and Night

I'm packing my bag.

Do you do any sports?

We're cleaning house today.

Use faire to describe the weather and to point out the change from day to

night, and vice versa. The singular impersonal form Il fait is used in all such

expressions.

Il fait beau. It's nice out. Il fait frais. It's cool.

Il fait chaud. It's hot (warm). Il fait froid. It's cold.

130 First Elements of French

Il fait du brouillard. It's foggy.

Il fait du soleil. It's sunny.

Il fait du vent. It's windy.

Demain, s'il fait beau, nous

allons faire une promenade;

s'il fait mauvais, on va faire

une partie de Scrabble.

En janvier, à Paris, il fait jour

assez tard, et il ne fait pas

chaud!

Other Weather Expressions

Il fait jour. It's daylight (dawn).

Il fait mauvais. It's bad weather.

Il fait noir (nuit). It's dark (night).

Tomorrow, if the weather's nice,

we'll go for a walk; if the

weather's bad, we'll play

a game of Scrabble.

In January, in Paris, the sun rises

rather late, and it's not warm

out!

The impersonal expressions il pleut (it's raining), from pleuvoir, and il neige

(it's snowing), from neiger, do not use the verb faire.

N'oublie pas ton parapluie, Don't forget your umbrella,

il pleut! it's raining!

À Chicago, il neige parfois In Chicago, it sometimes snows in

April. en avril.

Idioms with the Verb faire

Faire is used in expressions to describe many activities: studies, sports, the arts, hobbies, and household chores. Many expressions of emotion and relationships also use faire. The following lists group these idioms roughly according to activity.

Des activités quotidiennes (Everyday Activities)

faire des achats (to shop, go shopping)

faire des courses (to do errands)

faire la cuisine (to cook)

faire des économies (to save money)

faire la lessive (to do the laundry)

faire le lit (to make the bed)

faire le marché (to shop for groceries)

faire le ménage (to clean house)

faire le plein (to fill up with gasoline)

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 131

faire une promenade (to go for a walk/outing)

faire la sieste (to take a nap)

faire sa toilette (to wash up, get ready)

faire la vaisselle (to do the dishes)

faire les valises (to pack one's bags)

faire de la vitesse (to speed while driving)

faire un voyage (to take a trip)

Le samedi matin, Charles et

Arielle font le ménage, la

lessive et le marché. L'après-

midi, ils font la cuisine ou

bien, ils font une sieste.

Saturday morning, Charles and

Arielle do the housework, the

laundry, and the shopping. In

the afternoon, they cook or they

nap.

Le sport et l'exercice physique (Sports and Exercise)

faire de l'aérobic (to do aerobics)

faire du bateau (de la voile) (to go boating [sailing])

faire de la bicyclette (du cyclisme, du vélo) (to bike, go cycling)

faire du camping (to go camping)

faire de l'équitation (du cheval) (to ride horseback)

faire de l'exercice (to exercise)

faire du golf (to golf)

faire du jogging (to jog, go jogging)

faire de la motocyclette (de la moto) (to ride a motorcycle)

faire de la planche à voile (to go windsurfing)

faire du ski (to ski, go skiing)

faire du sport (to do/engage in sports)

faire une partie de (tennis, football, etc.) (to play a game of [tennis,

golf, etc.])

Tu fais du sport?

-Je préfère faire du camping,

mais ici, je fais du jogging et

du golf.

On fait du vélo samedi matin?

Do you do (any) sports?

-I prefer to go camping, but

here, I jog and I play golf.

Shall we go biking Saturday

morning?

132 First Elements of French

The Verb jouer Preposition

Jouer à (to play) article noun is also used to talk about sports and

games.

When needed, make the contractions à le au and à les aux.

Tu joues au golf? Do you play golf?

Ils jouent aux cartes le They play cards every Sunday.

dimanche.

To talk about playing a musical instrument with jouer, use jouer de

article noun.

Be sure to use the contraction de le du, when necessary.

Elles jouent de la flûte. They play the flute.

Vous jouez du piano? Do you play the piano?

Expressions with faire can also be used with musical instruments.

Elles font de la flûte. They play the flute.

Vous faites du piano? Do you play the piano?

Les études (School and University Studies)

faire de la biologie (de la physique, de la chimie, etc.) (to study biology

[physics, chemistry, etc.])

faire ses devoirs (to do one's homework)

faire son droit (to study law)

faire des (ses) études (to study; to be in school)

faire des langues modernes (to study modern languages)

faire de la littérature (to study literature)

faire de la médecine (to study medicine)

Monique fait son droit; son

petit ami fait aussi ses études. Il fait de la chimie. Le soir, ils font ensemble leurs

devoirs.

Monique is studying law; her

boyfriend is also in school. He studies chemistry. In the evenings, they do their

homework together.

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 133

Les arts et les passe-temps (Arts and Hobbies)

faire du bricolage (to tinker; to do household projects)

faire de la couture (to sew; to make clothing)

faire de la guitare (to play/learn the guitar)

faire de la musique (to do/play music)

faire de la peinture (to paint)

faire de la photographie (to do photography)

faire du piano (to play/learn the piano)

faire de la poésie (to write poetry)

faire de la poterie (to do pottery)

faire du théâtre (to act)

J'adore faire de la poterie, I love doing pottery, but now

mais maintenant que j'ai that I have a house, we do

une maison, nous faisons do-it-yourself projects.

du bricolage.

Les émotions et les rapports humains (Emotions and Relationships)

faire attention (à) (to pay attention [to])

faire du bien (à) (to do good; to be good for)

faire la connaissance de (to meet [for the first time], get acquainted

with)

faire du mal (à) (to hurt [s.o.])

faire de son mieux (to do one's best)

faire partie de (to belong to, be a part of)

faire de la peine à (to hurt [emotionally])

faire peur (à) (to frighten, scare)

faire plaisir (à) (to please [s.o.])

Faites attention! Vous faites

peur aux enfants avec les

masques.

Je fais partie d'un orchestre.

Je fais du saxo. Je suis

débutante, mais je fais de mon mieux.

Careful! You are scaring the

kids with the masks.

I belong to a band. I play the

saxophone. I'm a beginner, but

I do my best.

134 First Elements of French

Exercise 6.13

Translate the sentences into French. Use the verb faire or an expression with faire.

1. I love to do photography.

2. Today, the weather is good, but it's cool.

3. Marguerite does the cooking and the children do the dishes.

4. I fill up (the car with gas) on Fridays.

5. The clowns (Les clowns) scare the children.

6. He's meeting the professor (for the first time).

7. Before (Avant de) going on a trip, when do you (pol.) pack the bags?

?

8. At school, I do my best.

9. Marie-Christine is studying medicine.

10. We belong to a sports club (une association sportive).

Exercise 6.14

Answer the personal questions.

1. Quand préférez-vous faire les devoirs?

2. Faites-vous de la musique? Depuis quand?

3. Quel temps fait-il aujourd'hui?

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 135

4. Quels vêtements portez-vous quand il fait chaud?

5. Chez vous, qui fait le ménage?

6. Quelles tâches (chores) faites-vous?

Key Vocabulary

When planning a trip and while traveling, you will be particularly aware of the weather and the natural features that surround you. See the expressions listed in the previous section in "The Weather, Day, and Night."

Le temps et l'environnement (Weather and the Environment)

l'atmosphère (f.) (atmosphere)

l'aube (f.) (dawn)

la baie (bay)

le brouillard (fog)

la brume (mist)

le canyon (canyon)

le ciel (sky)

la colline (hill)

la comète (comet)

le continent (continent)

la côte (coast)

le coucher du soleil (sunset)

le désert (desert)

la dune (sand dune)

l'étoile (f.) (star)

la falaise (cliff)

le fleuve (river)

la foudre (lightning)

la grotte (cave)

l'incendie (m.) (accidental fire)

l'inondation (f.) (flood)

le lac (lake)

le lever du soleil (sunrise)

la lune (moon)

le marais (swamp, marsh)

la mer (sea)

la montagne (mountain)

la neige (snow)

les nuages (m.) (clouds)

l'océan (m.) (ocean)

l'orage (m.) (storm)

l'ouragan (m.) (hurricane)

la plage (beach)

la plaine (plain)

la pluie (rain)

la pollution (pollution)

la poussière (dust)

le réchauffement de la planète

(global warming)

la rivière (river [tributary])

la roche (rock)

le ruisseau (stream)

le sable (sand)

le soleil (sun)

la tempête (storm)

la terre (the Earth; soil, land)

le tonnerre (thunder)

le tremblement de terre

(earthquake)

la vague (ocean wave)

la vallée (valley)

le vent (wind)

le volcan (volcano)

136 First Elements of French

Exercise 6.15

Using the previous vocabulary list, create a list of words that you associate with each cue word.

1. la pluie:

2. la lune:

3. la montagne:

4. l'océan:

5. une catastrophe:

e Reading Comprehension

Des projets de vacances

J'habite une petite ville en Bretagne. Cet après-midi j'attends l'arrivée de

mon ami Christian. Il arrive de Belgique en autobus, et nous projetons de

voyager ensemble pour une semaine, car ce sont les vacances de fin d'année.

Il fait assez froid, et il va peut-être pleuvoir ou faire du brouillard. Donc,

une randonnée à bicyclette, le moyen de transport que nous préférons, n'est

pas pratique. Quoi faire?

Alors, comme tout le monde en cette saison, on va partir en voiture.

D'abord, nous faisons tous les deux une petite valise et un sac à dos. Nous

n'avons pas beaucoup d'argent, donc, on demande à une copine, Mireille,

de nous accompagner, pour la compagnie, bien sûr, et... pour partager les

frais. Mireille et moi nous habitons la Bretagne depuis toujours, mais c'est

la première visite de Christian. Notre route va nous amener à Quimper.

Nous espérons visiter plusieurs musées et églises, et puis, nous allons au

parc naturel régional de l'Armorique. Il y a 40.000 habitants dans cette ré-

gion, pourtant elle a un air tout sauvage. Nous avons l'intention de voir les

estuaires, les presqu'îles et les archipels, leurs plages et leurs oiseaux.

Après, si nous avons encore du temps, nous allons continuer vers Saint-Malo

et finalement vers le Mont-Saint-Michel, un des monuments les plus impor-

tants de France.

l'arrivée (f.) (the arrival) tout le monde (everyone)

ensemble (together) d'abord (first)

peut-être (maybe, perhaps) tous les deux (both [of us])

pleuvoir (to rain) les frais (m.) (the cost[s])

Expressing the Future with aller, Prepositions, and the Verb faire 137

nous amener (to take us) les presqu'îles (f.) (peninsulas)

pourtant (however) leurs (their)

voir (to see) vers (toward) les oiseaux (m.) (birds)

Questions

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. Qu'est-ce que les deux amis vont faire? Qu'est-ce qu'ils préfèrent faire?

2. Quel temps fait-il en Bretagne? Quel temps fait-il chez vous en hiver?

3. Qui va accompagner les deux amis? Pourquoi? Et vous, aimez-vous

voyager seul(e) ou avec des amis?

4. Qu'est-ce que vous allez faire ce week-end? Et pendant les vacances, que

faites-vous?

7

Irregular Verbs I and

Verb Verb Constructions

Learning Irregular Verbs

As in other languages, irregular verbs in French are the most common. It is useful to learn them by groups or "families," usually identifiable by the spelling of the infinitive.

Conjugated forms in these groups are not always identical to each other, but their similarities will help you memorize the forms.

Verbs like partir (to leave, depart)

Verbs conjugated in the same way as partir are sometimes called irregular

-ir verbs.

Present Tense of partir (to leave, depart)

je pars nous partons

tu pars vous partez

il/elle/on part ils/elles partent

Note that in the present tense, the plural forms of verbs like partir have the

same endings as -er verbs. Other verbs like partir include:

dormir to sleep

mentir to lie, tell a lie

sentir to smell; to feel; to sense

servir to serve

sortir to go out; to exit

138

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 139

Nous partons tout de suite après Are we leaving right after class?

le cours?

Tu pars en vacances cet été? Are you leaving on vacation this

summer?

Nous ne sortons pas sans Jeanne. We won't go out without Jeanne.

Ah, je sens quelque chose de Ah, I smell something delicious!

délicieux!

Il ment comme il respire! He's a natural-born liar! (Literally:

He lies like he breathes!)

Ne parle pas, les enfants dorment. Don't talk, the children are

sleeping.

Partir, sortir, and quitter

The verbs partir, sortir, and quitter all mean to leave, but they are used differently.

• Partir is either used alone or followed by a preposition, usually de/d'

(from) or pour (for; in the direction of).

Quand pars-tu? When are you leaving?

-Je pars tout à l'heure. -I am leaving shortly.

Dominique part de (pour) Paris. Dominique is leaving from (for)

Paris.

• Sortir can also mean to leave. It is used either alone or with a preposi-

tion, to describe leaving (going out of) an enclosed space, such as a room

or building.

Sortir also means to go out for the evening (with a friend or

friends).

La maîtresse sort quand la

cloche sonne.

Les élèves sortent aussi de

la salle.

Tu sors vendredi soir avec Luc?

The teacher goes out when the

bell rings.

The pupils also leave the

classroom.

Are you going out Friday night

with Luc?

140 First Elements of French

• The -er verb quitter always requires a direct object, either a place or a

person.

Nous quittons New York en mai. We are leaving New York in May.

Elle quitte ses amis à midi.

Je vais bientôt quitter cette

réunion.

Exercise 7.1

She is leaving her friends at

noon.

I will leave this meeting soon.

Translate the sentences into French, using verbs conjugated like partir.

1. I serve the coffee.

2. The cats sleep a lot.

3. You're (pol.) not leaving soon? ?

4. Éliane is leaving for New York.

5. Are you (fam.) sleeping? ?

6. We're going out Friday.

7. Dad serves dinner.

8. Is the witness (le témoin) lying? ?

9. I sense some difficulties here.

10. Do you (pol.) smell the soup? ?

Verbs like venir (to come; to arrive)

Verbs like venir, another group of irregular -ir verbs, have a stem change (from -e- to -ie) in all forms except nous and vous. (Note that a number of other irregular verbs have an "except nous and vous" stem change.)

Present Tense of venir (to come; to arrive)

je viens nous venons

tu viens vous venez

il/elle/on vient ils/elles viennent

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 141

Tu viens voir le jardin de

ma mère?

Tes sœurs viennent-elles à

la plage?

Nous venons aussi.

Are you coming to see my

mother's garden?

Are your sisters coming to the

beach?

We are coming, too.

On vient chercher Myriam après We will come pick up Myriam

le déjeuner. after lunch.

Other verbs like venir include:

devenir to become

intervenir to intervene, interrupt

obtenir to obtain, get

parvenir (à) to succeed (in), manage to

revenir to come back

tenir to hold, have, keep

Les valeurs montent; les riches

deviennent plus riches!

Un instant. Je reviens tout

de suite.

Je tiens les billets pour ce soir.

Nous tenons toujours le chien

en laisse.

Tu interviens quand tes amis

sont tristes?

Special Uses of venir and tenir

Stock prices are climbing; the

rich are getting richer!

Wait a sec. I will be back soon.

I am holding the tickets for this

evening.

We always keep the dog on leash.

Do you intervene when your

friends are sad?

Some constructions with venir and tenir have idiomatic meanings.

• Venir de/d' infinitive means to have just done something. It is called

le passé récent. However, this expression uses the present tense of

venir.

Je viens de terminer ce travail. I have just finished this job.

Nous venons de rendre visite We have just visited Jean-Paul.

à Jean-Paul.

142 First Elements of French

Using venir de infinitive offers a way to speak about the past. It can be seen as the past equivalent of the near future construction aller infinitive (to be going to infinitive).

Je vais bientôt terminer ce travail. I will soon finish this job.

Nous allons rendre visite We are going to visit Jean-Paul.

à Jean-Paul.

• Venir chercher means to come get/pick up someone or something. Aller

chercher means to go get or to pick up someone or something.

Tu viens chercher Papa? Are you coming to pick up Dad?

Je vais chercher le journal. I will go get the newspaper.

• Tenir à a person means to be attached to. Tenir à infinitive means

to be determined to do, to be bent on doing something.

Cet enfant tient beaucoup à That child is very attached to

son frère. his brother.

Je tiens à visiter Paris. I am determined to visit Paris.

• Tenir compte de a person or thing means to take into account, pay

attention to.

Tu tiens compte des besoins Do you attend to your friends'

de tes amis? needs?

Exercise 7.2

Say and write the sentences in French, using verbs conjugated like venir and tenir. Use the expression venir de/d' infinitive (to have just . . . ), where needed.

1. He comes back at two o'clock.

2. We're holding the packages (les colis).

3. They're (f.) coming later.

4. I just had lunch.

5. Did you (fam.) just arrive? ?

6. Renée and Yves are not coming now.

7. I'm very (beaucoup) fond of my (mes) friends.

8. Are we becoming rich? ?

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 143

9. Are you (fam.) taking the others into account? ?

10. I'm getting the books for you (toi).

Dire (to say, tell), lire (to read), and écrire (to write)

The verbs dire, lire, and écrire are all verbs of communication. Their conjugations have similar patterns, except for the vous form.

Present Tense of dire and lire

dire (to say, tell) lire (to read)

je dis nous disons je lis nous lisons

tu dis vous dites tu lis vous lisez

il/elle/on dit ils/elles disent il/elle/on lit ils/elles lisent

Note the spelling of dire and lire in the vous forms: vous dites, vous

lisez.

On dit toujours bonjour aux

personnes âgées.

Elles disent qu'elles vont être

en retard.

Nous lisons le journal tous

les matins.

-Vous lisez aussi Le Monde? Other verbs like dire include:

We always say hello to elderly

people.

They say they'll be late.

We read the paper every morning. -Do you also read Le Monde?

contredire (to contradict [vous contredisez])

interdire (à qqun de faire qqch) (to forbid, prohibit [s.o. from doing

s.th.] [vous interdisez])

redire (to say again, repeat)

Note the spelling (-isez) in the vous form of contredire and interdire.

Ces recherches contredisent That research contradicts what

ce qu'on dit. is said.

Another verb like lire is élire (to elect).

Nous élisons toujours de bons We always elect good candidates.

candidats.

144 First Elements of French

Present Tense of écrire (to write)

j'écris nous écrivons

tu écris vous écrivez

il/elle/on écrit ils/elles écrivent

Tu n'écris pas à ta mère?

Mon amie écrit son deuxième

roman.

D'abord vous écoutez, puis

vous écrivez.

Qu'écrivent ces étudiants?

Other verbs like écrire include:

décrire to describe

Aren't you writing to your

mother?

My friend is writing her second

novel.

First you listen, then you write.

What are those students writing?

inscrire to write, inscribe (on a register)

transcrire to transcribe

Vous inscrivez votre nom

sur cette liste.

On transcrit le discours

de l'avocat.

Ces étudiants décrivent les

difficultés.

Exercise 7.3

You write your name on this list.

They transcribe the lawyer's

statement.

Those students describe the

problems.

Say and write the sentences in French, using verbs like dire, lire, and écrire.

1. I read in the evening.

2. Are you (pol.) writing the homework? ?

3. We don't always say good-bye.

4. When do they (m.) write e-mails (des mails)? ?

5. You (pol.) always tell the truth (la vérité).

6. What is he saying? ?

7. She's writing a letter.

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 145

8. Is the teacher describing the problem? ?

9. Students don't read enough (assez).

10. To whom do you (fam.) say hello? ?

Verbs like mettre (to put [on], place)

Mettre and verbs in its group are irregular verbs whose infinitive ends in

-re.

Present Tense of mettre (to put [on], place)

je mets nous mettons

tu mets vous mettez

il/elle/on met ils/elles mettent

Il pleut, je mets mon imperméable. It's raining, I am putting on my

raincoat.

Vous mettez ces livres sur la table? You are putting those books on

the table?

On ne met pas les bananes dans You don't put bananas in the

le frigo. fridge.

Other verbs like mettre include:

permettre (à qqun de faire qqch) to permit, allow (s.o. to do

something)

promettre (à qqun de faire qqch) to promise (s.o. to do something) remettre to postpone; to give back; to turn in

soumettre to submit; to subject

Il est tard; on remet la séance?

Elles soumettent leur

proposition.

La chaise est libre? Vous

permettez?

It's late; shall we postpone the

session?

They are submitting their

proposal.

Is the chair free? May I (take it)?

In constructions with permettre and promettre, the preposition à precedes the indirect object noun (usually a person) and the preposition de/d' precedes the infinitive.

146 First Elements of French

Je ne permets pas à Sophie I am not letting Sophie buy a

d'acheter un scooter. scooter.

Vous promettez de dire la vérité? Do you promise to tell the truth?

The present tense of the verbs battre (to hit; to beat; to win) and combattre (to fight, combat) resemble mettre.

Present Tense of battre (to hit; to beat; to win)

je bats nous battons

tu bats vous battez

il/elle/on bat ils/elles battent

Cette équipe bat des records This team breaks records every

tous les ans. year.

Ces groupes combattent la faim. Those groups fight hunger.

Exercise 7.4

Say and write the sentences in French, using verbs conjugated like mettre.

1. I put the plate on the table.

2. The table is free? Do you (pol.) mind? ?

3. Are you (fam.) beating the rug (le tapis)?

?

4. What do you (pol.) put on when it rains?

?

5. The player (Le joueur) is breaking records.

6. They (On) don't park the car on the street.

7. Do you (pol.) promise to arrive on time?

?

8. We don't put shoes on in the house.

9. She's postponing the appointment (le rendez-vous).

10. I turn in my (mon) homework.

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 147

Pouvoir (to be able to) and vouloir (to want to, wish to)

The nous and vous forms of pouvoir and vouloir also have a distinctive stem (nous pouvons, vous voulez). The third-person plural form (elles veulent, ils peuvent) resembles the forms of the singular.

Present Tense of pouvoir and vouloir

pouvoir (to be able to) vouloir (to want to, wish to)

je peux nous pouvons je veux nous voulons

tu peux vous pouvez tu veux vous voulez

il/elle/on peut ils/elles peuvent il/elle/on veut ils/elles veulent

Je peux has an alternate form: je puis. It is used in the formal inverted

question form: Puis-je... : Puis-je avoir une tasse de thé? May I have a

cup of tea?

Pouvez-vous arriver avant midi? Can you get here before noon?

-Non, mais je veux déjeuner -No, but I would like to have

quand même. lunch anyway.

Qu'est-ce qu'on peut manger au What can we eat at the cafeteria?

resto-U?

-Nous pouvons partager -We can share a pizza.

une pizza.

• Pouvoir and vouloir most often precede an infinitive (verb verb con-

struction). The infinitive directly follows these verbs, with no intervening

preposition (whether or not the preposition to appears in the English

equivalent).

Je peux marcher. I can (am able to) walk.

Elle veut dîner. She wants to have dinner.

• In a verb verb construction, the negative elements ne... pas surround

the conjugated verb form. Ne pas (joined) can also precede the infini-

tive, if the infinitive is negated.

Nous ne voulons pas travailler We don't want to work on

le dimanche. Sundays.

Ne peuvent-ils pas venir? Can't they come?

Je peux aussi ne pas partir. I could also not leave.

148 First Elements of French

• Vouloir bien infinitive means to be willing or glad to do something.

Je veux bien accompagner I would be happy to come

le groupe. along with the group.

Voulez-vous bien passer par là. Please go that way.

Qui veut aller au cinéma? Who wants to go to the movies?

-Moi, je veux bien! -Me, I would be glad to!

(Me, I am willing!)

• Vouloir dire expresses to mean or to signify.

Que veut dire « amuse-bouche »? What does amuse-bouche mean?

-C'est un petit plat à manger

avant le dîner.

Les prénoms Simon et Simone

veulent dire « celui qui

entend ».

-It's a small dish you eat before

dinner.

The first names Simon and Simone

mean "the one who hears."

The Verb devoir (to have to; to owe)

The verb devoir has several meanings, all of which indicate obligation or

necessity. Like pouvoir and vouloir, devoir is normally used in a verb

infinitive construction, with no intervening preposition: Je dois partir. I

must leave.

Present Tense of devoir (to have to; to owe)

je dois nous devons

tu dois vous devez

il/elle/on doit ils/elles doivent

Qu'est-ce que tu dois faire

aujourd'hui?

Doivent-elles téléphoner à

Marie-Josée?

Vous devez terminer le devoir

ce soir.

What do you have to do today?

Do they need to call Marie-Josée?

You must finish the homework

this evening.

Nous devons faire le plein avant We have got to fill the tank

de partir. before we leave.

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 149

• The present tense of devoir in the affirmative or negative conveys obli-

gation or necessity.

Je dois finir ce travail. I must finish this job.

Nous ne devons pas boire de We mustn't drink coffee in the

café le soir. evening.

Falloir also expresses obligation or necessity. It is used only in the third-

person singular form: il faut infinitive (one/you must . . . , we have to

. . . , it is necessary to . . . ).

Il faut faire de l'exercice tous It is necessary to exercise every

les jours. day.

Il ne faut pas trop manger One must not eat too much at

au dîner. dinner.

• Devoir infinitive can also express supposition or probability; the Eng-

lish equivalent often uses must.

Paul est absent; il doit être Paul is absent; he must be ill.

malade.

Il fait gris ce matin; il doit It's gray out this morning; it will

pleuvoir. probably rain.

Attendons un peu, ils doivent Let's wait a little longer, they are

bientôt arriver. sure to be here soon.

Quel beau bracelet! Il doit What a beautiful bracelet! It must

coûter cher. be expensive.

• When devoir is not followed by an infinitive, it means to owe (e.g., a sum

of money). The person or entity to whom the amount or thing is owed is

expressed by an indirect object, beginning with à or pour.

Nous devons trois cents euros We owe Dad three hundred euros.

à Papa.

Je dois un service à mon voisin. I owe my neighbor a favor.

Les élèves doivent des devoirs The pupils owe the teacher some

au prof. homework.

150 First Elements of French

Le devoir and les devoirs

The noun le devoir means duty or obligation. Les devoirs are school

assignments.

Je ne fais que mon devoir. I'm only doing my duty.

Faire ses devoirs means to do one's schoolwork or homework.

Roger fait ses devoirs Roger does his homework in the

l'après-midi. afternoon.

Nous faisons nos devoirs We do our homework on the weekend.

le week-end.

Verbs like recevoir (to receive; to have guests)

The present tense forms of recevoir (to receive) resemble the present tense of devoir. Note the -ç- (c cedilla) in all forms of recevoir, except for nous and vous. The ç retains the soft sound of [s].

Present Tense of recevoir (to receive; to have guests)

je reçois nous recevons

tu reçois vous recevez

il/elle/on reçoit ils/elles reçoivent

Nous recevons des cadeaux We receive gifts every year.

tous les ans.

Reçoivent-elles le samedi soir? Do they entertain on Saturday

night?

Vous recevez un salaire suffisant? Do you get an adequate salary?

Other verbs like recevoir include:

apercevoir to perceive; to glimpse

s'apercevoir de to notice (Chapter 12)

décevoir to disappoint; to deceive

Tiens! J'aperçois quelque chose. Hang on! I see something.

Les prédictions économiques The economic forecast is

déçoivent. disappointing.

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 151

Exercise 7.5

Complete each of the sentences with the suggested verb.

1. Je/J' bientôt chercher un nouvel emploi. (devoir)

2. Nous venir à l'heure aujourd'hui. (pouvoir)

3. Tu ne pas accompagner Papa? (vouloir)

4. Iris et Marie-Jo voyager avec vous. (pouvoir)

5. Je/J' quelqu'un au loin. (apercevoir)

6. Les notes (grades) de Monique . (décevoir)

7. Les jeunes élèves rentrer tout de suite. (devoir)

8. Arnaud ne pas payer son déjeuner. (pouvoir)

9. -tu de l'argent à tes amis? (devoir)

10. -vous mettre votre nom ici? (vouloir)

Exercise 7.6

Say and write the sentences in French, choosing from pouvoir, vouloir, devoir, and from among the verbs like recevoir.

1. Can you (pol.) read this (ceci)? ?

2. I don't want to say good-bye.

3. He owes Claudine two hundred euros.

4. You (fam.) must not lie.

5. What a beautiful painting! It must be very old.

6. We can't come this evening.

7. Anne isn't here; she must be sick (malade).

8. We want to elect a good president (président).

9. Do you (fam.) receive e-mails from Yvonne?

?

10. They (m.) want to buy a house.

11. Can I have two cups of coffee? ?

12. We must do the homework.

152 First Elements of French

13. She cannot leave on time.

14. They (f.) must have dinner before leaving.

15. Don't you (pol.) want to watch the movie? ?

16. I glimpse two cars in the distance (au loin).

Exercise 7.7

Answer the personal questions in French.

1. Pensez à votre week-end ou à vos vacances. Qu'est-ce que vous voulez

faire?

2. Quelles activités sont possibles ce week-end? Qu'est-ce que vous pouvez

faire?

3. Avez-vous des obligations particulières? Que devez-vous faire?

4. Normalement, qu'est-ce qu'il faut faire tous les jours en semaine?

5. D'habitude, combien de coups de téléphone recevez-vous chaque (every)

jour? Combien de mails? Combien de lettres?

Verb Verb Constructions

In a verb verb construction, the conjugated verb is directly followed by an infinitive (with no intervening preposition), by à infinitive, or by de/d' infinitive. You have already learned several of these constructions:

Je vais faire du ski en février.

Ginette réussit à contacter

son ami.

Tu décides d'accompagner

les élèves?

I am going to go skiing in

February.

Ginette manages to contact her

friend.

Are you deciding to go with

the students?

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 153

Verbs with No Intervening Preposition

These verbs are directly followed by an infinitive (no preposition is

necessary):

aimer (to love to)

aller (to be going to)

désirer (to want to)

détester (to hate to)

devoir (to have to)

espérer (to hope to)

falloir (il faut) (to have to, be necessary to)

pouvoir (to be able to, can)

préférer (to prefer to)

savoir* (to know how to)

venir (to come to [do s.th.])

vouloir (to want, wish to)

NOTE: You will learn the conjugation of savoir (to know) and its uses in

Chapter 8.

Martin déteste dîner au Martin hates eating out; he

restaurant; il préfère faire prefers to cook.

la cuisine.

Non, nous ne pouvons pas sortir. No, we can't go out.

On doit terminer la dissertation. We have to finish the term paper.

• In the negative form of a verb verb construction, ne... pas surrounds

the first (conjugated) verb, followed by the infinitive. (The joined ne pas

construction precedes a negative infinitive.)

Je n'aime pas faire les devoirs I don't like to do homework on

le vendredi. Friday.

Nous préférons ne pas sortir. We prefer not to go out.

• Penser infinitive means to count on or plan on doing something.

Odette pense faire des études Odette is planning to study

de médecine. medecine.

Ils pensent passer chez nous. They intend to drop by our place.

Verbs Requiring à Before the Infinitive

Verbs that require à before an infinitive include:

aider qqun à (to help s.o. to)

arriver à (to manage to)

chercher à (to try to)

commencer à (to begin to)

continuer à (to continue to)

enseigner à qqun à (to teach s.o. to)

hésiter à (to hesitate to)

inviter qqun à (to invite s.o. to)

réussir à (to succeed in)

servir à (to serve to)

tenir à (to be eager to)

154 First Elements of French

Je tiens à acheter cet appareil I am anxious to buy that camera.

photo.

Patrick cherche à gagner Patrick is trying to earn enough

assez d'argent. money.

Nous invitons nos amis à partir We invite our friends to leave

avec nous. with us.

• Several verbs that take à before the infinitive may also have a direct

object or an indirect object (preceded by à).

J'aide les élèves à faire leurs I am helping the pupils do their

devoirs. homework.

Michel enseigne à sa fille Michel teaches his daughter to

à écrire. write.

Verbs Requiring de/d' Before the Infinitive

Verbs and verbal expressions that require de/d' before an infinitive include:

accepter de to accept, agree to

avoir peur de to be afraid of

choisir de to choose to

conseiller de to advise to

décider de to decide to

demander de to ask to

dire de to tell to

empêcher qqun de to prevent s.o. from

essayer de to try to

éviter de to avoid

finir de to finish (doing s.th.)

oublier de to forget

permettre à qqun de to allow s.o. to

promettre à qqun de to promise s.o. that

refuser de to refuse to

regretter de to regret (doing)

rêver de to dream about

venir de to have just (done s.th.)

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 155

• Some verbs that take de/d' before the infinitive may also have a direct

object or an indirect object (preceded by à).

Le bruit empêche les enfants The noise keeps the children

de dormir. from sleeping.

Je permets à mon frère I allow my brother to use the

d'utiliser l'ordinateur. computer.

• A sentence may have more than one infinitive.

J'essaie d'éviter de faire

des fautes.

Nous avons peur d'oublier de

fermer à clé.

Exercise 7.8

I try to avoid making mistakes.

We are afraid we'll forget to

lock up.

Complete the sentences by inserting the correct prepositions when needed.

1. Nous invitons André déjeuner.

2. Vous commencez mettre la chambre en ordre.

3. Tu veux faire une promenade avec nous?

4. J'aide le prof corriger les copies.

5. Mireille continue bien manger.

6. La bicyclette sert amener Patrick à la faculté.

7. Nous détestons travailler tard.

8. Hésites-tu parfois dire la vérité?

9. Oubliez-vous quelquefois fermer la porte?

10. Paul cherche retrouver ses copains.

11. Est-ce que vous choisissez changer de carrière?

12. Mes amis essaient quitter la ville pendant le week-end.

13. Caroline doit ranger sa chambre aujourd'hui.

14. Réussissent-ils gagner leur (their) vie?

15. L'instituteur empêche les enfants jouer dans l'école.

16. Il ne faut pas dormir en classe.

156 First Elements of French

17. Nicolas finit parler au téléphone.

18. Je regrette ne pas pouvoir venir.

Exercise 7.9

Translate the sentences into French. Be aware of the verb verb constructions:

those with no prepositions, with the preposition à, and with the preposition de/d'.

1. I like to dance.

2. We prefer to go on foot.

3. They (f.) can play golf today.

4. Do you (fam.) have to leave? ?

5. He doesn't want to have lunch.

6. We're coming to help (aider) Guy.

7. Are you (pol.) hoping to study law? ?

8. I'm helping my (mon) friend finish his homework.

9. We're succeeding in winning (gagner).

10. Are you (fam.) inviting Madeleine to eat with us?

?

11. Do I start working at ten? ?

12. I teach the pupil (à l'élève) to write.

13. We refuse to answer.

14. They (m.) allow the neighbor (au voisin) to use the mower (la tondeuse).

15. You're (fam.) forgetting to buy the bread.

16. She promises Mom to do the errands.

17. I prevent the students from making mistakes (des fautes).

18. He regrets coming so late.

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 157

Key Vocabulary

We all interact with the written word every day. Here is a list of the appropriate vocabulary.

Lire et écrire (Reading and Writing)

l'article (m.) (article)

l'auteur (m.) (author)

la bibliothèque (library; shelf)

la biographie (biography)

le bloc-notes (notepad)

le cahier (notebook)

la carte (map; menu)

la carte postale (postcard)

le chapitre (chapter)

le clavier (keyboard)

le compte rendu (review)

le conte (de fées) (story [fairy tale])

le crayon (pencil)

le/la critique (critic)

le dictionnaire (dictionary)

la dissertation (term paper)

l'écran (m.) (screen)

les écrits (m.) (writings)

l'écrivain (m.) (writer)

l'éditeur (m.) (publisher)

l'édition (f.) (publishing)

l'encyclopédie (f.) (encyclopedia)

l'enveloppe (f.) (envelope)

l'essai (m.) (nonfiction)

l'étude (f.) ([research] study)

l'examen (m.) (exam, test)

une feuille de papier

(a sheet of paper)

le fichier (computer file)

hebdomadaire (weekly)

imprimer (to print [out])

l'imprimante (f.) (printer)

sur Internet (m.) (on the Internet)

le journal (newspaper)

la librairie (bookstore)

la littérature (literature)

le lien (link, Web link)

le livre (d'histoire) ([history] book)

le logiciel (software)

le magazine (magazine)

le manuel (textbook)

mensuel(le) (monthly)

le mot (word)

le moteur de recherche

(search engine)

la nouvelle (novella; news)

l'ordinateur (m.) (computer)

du papier (m.) (paper)

les paroles (f.) (words

[poem, song])

le paragraphe (paragraph)

les petites annonces (f.)

(classified ads)

la phrase (sentence)

la pièce (de théâtre) (play)

le poème (poem)

la poésie (poetry)

le portable (laptop; cell phone)

le programme (program)

la publicité (la pub) (advertising)

les recherches (f.) (research)

le/la rédacteur (-trice)

(copyeditor)

la revue (journal, review)

le roman (novel)

le roman policier (mystery)

le site Web (website)

la souris (mouse)

158 First Elements of French

le stylo (pen)

la thèse (thesis)

le timbre (postage stamp)

le/la journaliste (journalist)

le kiosque (newsstand)

le lecteur (la lectrice) (reader)

la lettre (letter)

Exercise 7.10

le traitement de texte

les touches (f.) (keys [keyboard])

le/la traducteur (-trice)

(translator)

la traduction (translation)

(word processing)

Complete each of the sentences with logical words or expressions from the previous

list.

1. Quand j'ai envie de lire pour le plaisir, je lis...

2. Quand on utilise un ordinateur, normalement on utilise aussi...

3. Pour écrire aux amis quand nous sommes sans Internet, nous avons besoin

de/d'...

4. Quand je deviens écrivain professionnel, je vais devoir tenir compte de/du/

des...

e Reading Comprehension

Mes décisions

Je m'appelle Clarice. J'ai vingt-quatre ans et je fais des études d'hôtellerie à

Lyon. Je viens de parler avec mon directeur d'études. On me dit que c'est

le moment de choisir définitivement une carrière. Quoi faire? À l'avenir,

je veux tenir une auberge haut de gamme, dans un village voisin peut-

être, avec mon copain Guillaume. Mais cette année j'ai d'autres décisions

importantes à faire.

J'écoute les conseils de mes profs et je lis régulièrement les petites an-

nonces de la faculté de mon école. J'ai plusieurs options: je peux rester à

Irregular Verbs I and Verb Verb Constructions 159

Lyon faire un stage dans un des célèbres restaurants de la ville. Ou bien

je peux essayer de trouver un emploi à l'étranger - à Montréal, à New

York, à San Francisco, ou même à La Nouvelle-Orléans. Mais je dois aussi

penser à ma famille. Mes parents me disent de faire ce que je veux, qu'ils

me soutiennent dans toutes mes décisions. Mais si je pars en Amérique du

Nord, ils vont me manquer terriblement, ainsi que mon frère et ma petite

sœur. En revanche, il y a Internet, nous pouvons nous écrire des mails,

ils peuvent visiter l'Amérique et il y a toujours le téléphone. Et bien sûr, le

temps passe vite!

l'hôtellerie (f.) hotel management

le directeur d'études (academic) advisor

à l'avenir in the future

une auberge an inn, a small hotel

haut de gamme upscale, upmarket

voisin(e) neighboring (adj.)

mon copain my friend; my boyfriend

les conseils (m.) advice

la faculté department (of a school or university)

rester to stay, remain

faire un stage to do an internship

célèbres (pl.) famous

ou bien or

à l'étranger overseas, abroad

ce que what

soutiennent (soutenir) support

ils vont me manquer I'll miss them

ainsi que as well as

en revanche on the other hand

nous écrire write (to) each other

vite quickly

Questions

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. Quel âge a Clarice? Quelles études fait-elle?

2. Quelles décisions doit-elle faire cette année?

160 First Elements of French

3. Qu'est-ce qu'elle veut faire à l'avenir?

4. En ce moment, quelles sont les possibilités de Clarice?

5. Si elle va en Amérique du Nord, comment va-t-elle rester en contact avec

la famille?

8

Irregular Verbs II

and Relative Pronouns

Connaître (to know, be acquainted with) Versus savoir (to know [facts])

The irregular verbs connaître and savoir both mean to know, to have

knowledge of (s.th. or s.o.). However, they are used in different contexts.

Present Tense of connaître and savoir

connaître (to know, be acquainted with)

je connais nous connaissons

tu connais vous connaissez

il/elle/on connaît ils/elles connaissent

savoir (to know [facts])

je sais nous savons

tu sais vous savez

il/elle/on sait ils/elles savent

Verbs conjugated like connaître are spelled with a circumflex accent

(ˆ) on the letter -i- in forms where -î- precedes -t, including the infinitive (connaître, elle connaît). The circumflex is also seen in the future and the conditional forms of connaître (Chapter 15).

Connaissez-vous bien la ville

de New York?

-Eh bien, je sais où trouver un

bon restaurant français!

Arthur sait parler trois langues.

161

Do you know New York City well?

-Well, I know where to find a

good French restaurant!

Arthur knows how to speak

three languages.

162 First Elements of French

Other verbs conjugated like connaître include:

apparaître (to appear, come

into view)

disparaître (to disappear)

Reconnais-tu cette dame-là?

Ses idées me paraissent justes.

Nous savons faire disparaître

nos amis. On leur demande

s'ils savent faire le ménage!

Uses of connaître and savoir

paraître (to seem, appear)

reconnaître (to recognize)

Do you recognize that woman? Her/His ideas seem correct to me. We know how to make our friends

disappear. We ask them if they

know how to clean house!

The model sentences below will help you learn the meanings of connaître

and savoir.

• Connaître noun means to be acquainted with. It always takes a direct

object noun or pronoun (a person, a place, an idea, or a thing).

Tu connais Marie-Laure? Do you know Marie-Laure?

-Non, je ne la connais pas. -No, I don't know her.

Connaissez-vous les contes Are you acquainted with

de Balzac? Balzac's short stories?

Pierre connaît très bien le Pierre knows the Paris metro

métro parisien. (system) very well.

• Savoir subordinate clause means to know (a fact). Savoir can be fol-

lowed by a noun referring to a fact or simple information. But it is very

often followed by a subordinate clause starting with que (that), qui

(who), quand (when), pourquoi (why), si (if), où (where), or quel(le)(s)

(what).

Je sais l'adresse. I know the address.

Éloïse a trois ans; elle sait déjà Éloïse is three; she already knows

l'alphabet. the alphabet.

Sais-tu qui parle ce soir? Do you know who is speaking

this evening?

-Désolée, je ne sais pas. -Sorry, I don't know.

Nous ne savons pas pourquoi We don't know why the train is

le train est en retard. late.

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 163

Followed by an infinitive, savoir means to know how to (do s.th.).

Je sais monter à bicyclette. I know how to ride a bike.

Savez-vous faire la cuisine? Do you know how to cook?

Exercise 8.1

Create sentences in the present tense from the elements provided. Pay attention to verb forms, contractions, and agreement of verbs and adjectives.

1. Françoise/connaître/bien/la ville/de/Dakar

2. nous/savoir/jouer de/le trombone

3. savoir/vous/qui/arriver/ce/soir?

?

4. ils/connaître/des artistes/italien

5. savoir/on/pourquoi/Roland/ne... pas/venir?

?

6. je/reconnaître/toujours/la voix (voice) de/mon/ami

7. connaître/tu/Adélaïde?

?

8. les étudiantes/paraître/heureux/aujourd'hui

164 First Elements of French

Exercise 8.2

Match the verbs to their possible sentence endings, writing the letters corresponding

to Je connais or Nous savons on the lines provided.

1. Je connais , , ,

2. Nous savons , , ,

a. Paris e. pourquoi la boutique est fermée

b. faire de la céramique f. nager

c. l'adresse du prof g. la philosophie de J.-P. Sartre

d. les romans d'Amélie Nothomb h. ton amie

Exercise 8.3

Answer the personal questions in writing.

1. Quelles villes connaissez-vous bien? Quels quartiers préférez-vous?

2. Connaissez-vous des villes francophones? Lesquelles? Quels quartiers

préférez-vous?

3. Connaissez-vous des écrivains ou cinéastes (filmmakers) français ou

francophones? Qui connaissez-vous?

4. Savez-vous où vos grands-parents sont nés? Où sont-ils nés?

5. Quels sports savez-vous faire?

6. Quelles tâches ménagères savez-vous faire?

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 165

Voir (to see) and croire (to believe)

Voir and croire have different infinitive spellings, but their conjugations are alike. The similarities will help you memorize these verbs.

Present Tense of voir and croire

voir (to see) croire (to believe)

je vois nous voyons je crois nous croyons

tu vois vous voyez tu crois vous croyez

il/elle/on voit ils/elles voient il/elle/on croit ils/elles croient

• Revoir (to see again) is conjugated like voir. Aller voir means to visit,

go see a person.

• Croire à means to believe in a concept or an idea. Croire en means to

trust (a person), or to believe (in God).

• Je crois que oui means I think so; je crois que non means I don't think

so.

Tu vois cet arbre? Do you see that tree?

Voyez-vous ce que je veux dire? Do you see what I mean?

Voyons si je suis libre dimanche. Let's see if I'm free Sunday.

Je crois que oui. I think so.

Elles croient qu'il a raison. They believe (that) he's right.

Allons voir Grand-père demain. Let's go see Grandfather

tomorrow.

Je le revois chaque fois que je I see him whenever I go to Lyon.

vais à Lyon.

Je ne crois pas en l'existence I don't believe in the existence

de Dieu. of God.

-Faut pas le dire à mon père. -You mustn't tell my father.

Il croit? He is a believer? (He believes?)

-Mon père, oui. -My dad, yes. (James Joyce,

Ulysses)

166 First Elements of French

Exercise 8.4

Translate the sentences into French. Use the present tense of voir and croire.

1. We believe. (We're believers.)

2. Does she see well? ?

3. Sophie and Bernard believe that we're coming.

4. Do you (fam.) see Nicole sometimes? ?

5. I don't think so.

6. They (f.) believe in (en) Einstein! !

7. They (m.) see the sun again in the spring.

8. We don't see Jo very often.

9. He believes that it's true (c'est vrai).

10. Whom do you (fam.) see? ?

Courir (to run) and rire (to laugh)

The infinitives of courir and rire are spelled differently, but their conjugations are similar. Learn them together.

Present Tense of courir (to run)

je cours nous courons

tu cours vous courez

il/elle/on court ils/elles courent

The present tense forms of courir resemble verbs like partir. But they dif-

fer in the passé composé (Chapter 13), the future, and the conditional

(Chapter 15). Other verbs conjugated like courir include:

accourir to rush, rush up

concourir to compete

parcourir to go, travel through

secourir to rescue, come to the aid of

Patrick et Nelly courent tous Patrick and Nelly run every

les matins. morning.

Je cours! Le bus va partir! I am running! The bus is leaving!

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 167

Chaque été nous parcourons

l'Europe.

La foule accourt à l'arrivée

des vedettes.

Present Tense of rire (to laugh)

Each summer we travel through

Europe.

The crowd rushes up when the

movie stars arrive.

je ris nous rions

tu ris vous riez

il/elle/on rit ils/elles rient

The verb sourire (to smile) is conjugated like rire.

Pourquoi ris-tu? Ce n'est pas Why are you laughing? It's not

amusant! funny!

Nous sourions aux gambades des We smile at the puppies' antics.

petits chiens.

On rit aux éclats aux frères Marx. People laugh out loud at the

Marx Brothers.

The Group offrir (to offer)

The present tense endings of the group offrir are the same as the present tense endings of regular -er verbs.

Present Tense of offrir (to offer, give)

j'offre nous offrons

tu offres vous offrez

il/elle/on offre ils/elles offrent

Other verbs conjugated like offrir include:

couvrir to cover

découvrir to discover, find out

ouvrir to open

souffrir to suffer; to tolerate

J'ouvre la fenêtre. J'étouffe! I am opening the window.

I'm suffocating!

À Noël nous offrons toujours At Christmas we always give gifts.

des cadeaux.

168 First Elements of French

Qu'est-ce qu'elle découvre dans

ce document?

Nous couvrons la cage avant

de sortir.

Exercise 8.5

What is she finding out in that

document?

We cover the cage before going

out.

Translate the sentences into French using the present tense and verbs from the groups courir, rire, and offrir.

1. We run on Saturday mornings.

2. Does she laugh a lot? ?

3. Do dogs smile? ?

4. They're (f.) discovering some important effects (effets, m.).

5. To whom are you (fam.) offering the books?

?

6. I have a cold (un rhume). . . I'm suffering! !

7. Do you (pol.) run if (si) you're late? ?

8. Don't they (m.) open the windows at night (la nuit)?

?

9. Every time that (Chaque fois que) he speaks, we laugh.

10. I do some exercise, but I don't run.

11. The audience members (Les spectateurs) rush up when they see the actor.

12. She offers a meal to the homeless (aux sans-abri).

13. Is he traveling through Europe? ?

14. It's cold. I'm covering the children.

15. Are you (pol.) opening the doors now? ?

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 169

The Group conduire (to drive; to lead)

All verbs ending in -uire are conjugated like conduire.

Present Tense of conduire (to drive; to lead)

je conduis nous conduisons

tu conduis vous conduisez

il/elle/on conduit ils/elles conduisent

Other verbs like conduire include:

construire (to build, construct)

détruire (to destroy)

produire (to produce)

Vous conduisez un bus?

Quand il neige, on conduit

avec beaucoup de soin.

C'est quoi cette musique? Elle

séduit les enfants.

Roland ne comprend pas; nous

traduisons.

réduire (to reduce)

séduire (to charm; to seduce)

traduire (to translate)

Do you drive a bus?

When it snows, people drive

very carefully.

What's that music? It is

captivating the children.

Roland doesn't understand;

we are translating.

Suivre (to follow; to take a course) and vivre (to live)

The first- and second-person singular forms of the verb suivre (je suis, tu suis) are identical to the first-person singular form of être (je suis). Always look at the context to clarify which verb is being used.

Vivre means to live in a general sense; it can also refer to the places where one lives. Habiter means only to reside at or in.

Present Tense of suivre and vivre

suivre (to follow; to take [a course]) vivre (to live)

je suis nous suivons

tu suis vous suivez

il/elle/on suit ils/elles suivent

Est-ce que tu suis un cours

d'italien?

Le détective suit la suspecte.

Pourquoi suivez-vous ce taxi?

je vis nous vivons

tu vis vous vivez

il/elle/on vit ils/elles vivent

Are you taking an Italian class?

The detective follows the suspect.

Why are you following that taxi?

170 First Elements of French

On vit bien sur la Côte d'Azur. People (They) live well on the

Riviera.

Combien de temps vivent How long do these butterflies live?

ces papillons?

Another verb like suivre is poursuivre (to pursue; to continue).

Nous poursuivons nos études We are continuing our studies

en Europe. in Europe.

Poursuit-on cet homme en justice? Are proceedings being brought

against that man?

Other verbs like vivre include:

revivre to relive; to come alive

Grand-père revit-il ses

expériences?

Nous survivons grâce à

nos économies.

survivre (à) to survive

Is Grandfather reliving his

experiences?

We are surviving thanks to

our savings.

The Group craindre (to be afraid of)

The spelling of this group of irregular -ndre verbs has a distinctive -gn- in the plural forms.

Present Tense of craindre (de) (to fear, be afraid of)

je crains nous craignons

tu crains vous craignez

il/elle/on craint ils/elles craignent

Les enfants craignent le noir.

Je ne crains pas de dire que

je n'aime pas ce film.

Other verbs like craindre include:

atteindre to reach, attain

feindre (de) to pretend (to)

The children are afraid of the

dark.

I am not afraid to say I don't like

this movie.

peindre to paint

plaindre to pity

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 171

Le jour, elle est serveuse; le soir,

elle peint.

Enfin, nous atteignons nos

objectifs.

Exercise 8.6

During the day she's a server;

evenings she paints.

Finally, we are reaching our

goals.

Create sentences in the present, paying attention to agreement of verbs, articles, and adjectives.

1. les/étudiants/suivre/des/cours/intéressant

2. qu'est-ce que/vous/craindre?

?

3. nous/vivre/à/Lausanne

4. produire/on/beaucoup de/vin/en/Californie?

?

5. il/atteindre/finalement/la/destination

6. nous/conduire/lentement/quand/il/neiger

7. le/gendarme/poursuivre/les/suspects

8. je/vivre/pour/faire du ski!

!

9. ils/feindre/de/lire/le/livre/de maths

10. Jacqueline/ne... pas/conduire/en/hiver

11. revivre/elle/les/événements/difficile?

?

172 First Elements of French

12. je/ne... pas/suivre/de/cours/de/physique

13. traduire/elles/les/documents?

?

14. vous/peindre/quand/vous/avoir/le/temps?

?

15. tu/ne... pas/conduire/raisonnablement!

!

16. généralement/un/orage/ne... pas/détruire/beaucoup de/arbres

Exercise 8.7

Translate the sentences into French using the present tense and verbs from the groups conduire, suivre, vivre, and craindre.

1. I'm following Jacques and David.

2. We're not reaching our goals (nos buts).

3. Are they (f.) building a new house? ?

4. The patrolmen (Les gendarmes) are pursuing the red car.

5. Agnès is taking an English class.

6. Chloé and I (moi), we're reducing energy use (l'utilisation d'énergie).

7. Do turtles (tortues, f.) live a long time? ?

8. You (fam.) drive fast! !

9. He lives to eat; she eats to live.

10. The children are pretending to be sick.

11. Isn't she painting the bedroom? ?

12. Are you (fam.) afraid of the cold? ?

13. In the winter, we pity especially (surtout) the homeless (les sans-abri).

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 173

14. France produces a lot of cheese.

15. I don't live in the country.

16. What career are you (pol.) pursuing?

?

17. What city do the Dubonnets live in? ?

18. Are you (pol.) translating Baudelaire's poems? ?

19. Uncle Olivier is reliving his youth.

20. The chemistry students don't take easy courses.

Relative Pronouns: qui, que, où, dont, and lequel

A relative pronoun (in English: who, that, which, whom, whose, where) links a relative (or dependent) clause to the main clause of a sentence. A dependent clause has a relative pronoun, a subject, and a verb, but it usually cannot stand alone. See the boldface parts of the following sentences:

The movie that she's watching

is a classic.

The man who took the car was

not its owner.

Is this the restaurant where

you ate?

That's the moment when we

met.

(that object of the clause)

(who subject of the clause) (where place)

(when time)

Notice that the sentences can stand without the boldface clauses.

Que, qui, and où

Qui is used as the subject and que is used as the direct object of a relative clause. Où is a relative pronoun used for time or place.

Qui or que in a Relative Clause?

Qui (who, that, which) is the relative pronoun used as the subject of a rel-

ative clause. It refers to both people and things. Qui, the subject of the

dependent clause, immediately precedes the conjugated verb of the clause.

174 First Elements of French

Nous avons une voiture. Elle ne

marche pas.

Nous avons une voiture qui

ne marche pas.

Nous attendons le dépanneur.

Il va réparer la voiture.

We have a car. It is not running.

We have a car that's not running.

We're waiting for the mechanic.

He is going to fix the car.

Nous attendons le dépanneur qui We're waiting for the mechanic

va réparer la voiture. who is going to fix the car.

Que (who, whom, that, which) is the relative pronoun used as the direct

object of a relative clause. It refers to both people and things. Que/qu', the

direct object of the dependent clause, is usually followed by a subject verb

construction.

Les fraises viennent du Maroc. The strawberries come from

J'achète les fraises. Morocco. I'm buying the

strawberries.

Les fraises que j'achète viennent The strawberries that I'm buying

du Maroc.

Marc appelle une copine. Il

rencontre souvent cette

copine à l'université.

Marc appelle une copine qu'il

rencontre souvent à

l'université.

The Relative Pronoun où

come from Morocco.

Marc is calling a friend. He often

meets that friend at the

university.

Marc is calling a friend whom he

often meets at the university.

Où, which you already know as the question word where, is also a relative pronoun of time and place. It means in, on, when, which, or where.

Voici la librairie où j'adore Here's the bookstore where I love

bouquiner. to browse.

Voilà le gymnase où nous faisons There's the gym where we do

du karaté.

C'est le mois où les cours

recommencent.

Pierre décrit les moments où il

est heureux.

karate.

That's the month when classes

start.

Pierre is describing the times

when he's happy.

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 175

Exercise 8.8

Create a single sentence out of the two sentences provided. Use the suggested relative pronoun for each group. In each of the sentences for nos. 6-15, the words in italics should be dropped.

Use qui:

1. Je vais voir un ami. Il attend au café.

2. Papa achète une voiture. La voiture a cinq ans.

3. Tu veux voir le film? Il décrit la vie en Afrique.

4. Nous aimons les étudiants. Ils répondent correctement.

5. J'ai un nouveau parapluie. Il marche très bien dans le vent.

Use que:

6. Thérèse fait un beau tableau. Tu vas aimer le tableau.

7. Ils rangent la chambre. Vous allez peindre la chambre.

8. Je jette les vieux catalogues. Nous recevons les catalogues.

9. Tu choisis le professeur. Elle aime aussi ce professeur.

10. On appelle les clients. Pierre voit souvent ces clients.

176 First Elements of French

Use où:

11. C'est le moment. Je préfère voyager à ce moment-là.

12. Nous pensons au jour. Marc arrive ce jour-là.

13. Ils achètent l'appartement. Je vais habiter cet appartement.

14. C'est une région chaude. On produit beaucoup d'oranges dans cette

région.

15. Vous allez dans un musée. Ils offrent des visites guidées dans ce musée.

Exercise 8.9

Complete each of the sentences with qui, que, or où.

1. Tu vois une place on peut laisser la voiture?

2. Margot attend les amis doivent bientôt arriver.

3. On va à pied au café Jeanne-Marie préfère.

4. Aimes-tu les boissons sont gazéifiées (carbonated)?

5. C'est une rue ils peuvent faire une belle promenade.

6. Je descends à un hôtel a une bonne réputation.

7. L'hôtel a un restaurant nous aimons dîner.

8. Le serveur, apporte la carte, est toujours aimable.

9. Je n'aime pas vraiment les plats vous choisissez.

10. Je préfère les salades Sylvie recommande.

11. Tu veux une table dans la salle Georges dîne déjà?

12. Nous allons payer l'addition le serveur prépare.

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 177

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions; lequel and dont

Sometimes the relative clause is formed with a preposition (à, de, avec, dans, etc.).

Qui as the Object of a Preposition

The relative pronoun qui is frequently used in a dependent clause as the object of a preposition referring to people.

C'est l'amie avec qui Pierre passe This is the friend with whom

du temps. Pierre spends time.

C'est le collègue à côté de qui That's the colleague next to

je travaille. whom I work.

Lequel as a Relative Pronoun

Lequel (which), which you learned as an interrogative (which one), can also be a relative pronoun used as the object of a preposition. It refers to specified things, and at times to people. Lequel agrees in gender and number with its antecedent.

C'est le portable avec lequel tu Is this the laptop with which you

préfères écrire? prefer to write?

C'est la salle dans laquelle on That's the hall in which we're

monte la pièce. staging the play.

L'auteur auquel j'écris souvent est The author I often write to (to

très connu. whom I often write) is very

well known.

When the relative pronoun refers to a person, qui is more generally used.

L'auteur à qui j'écris souvent est The author I often write to (to

très connu. whom I often write) is very

well known.

Où is preferred when one refers to a place or location.

Voilà la salle où on monte la pièce. There's the hall where we're

staging the play.

178 First Elements of French

Exercise 8.10

Complete each of the sentences with the French equivalent of the English relative pronoun given. Some items may have more than one correct answer.

1. C'est le copain (with whom) j'adore passer

du temps.

2. Voici le voisin (next to whom) nous

habitons.

3. Louis a un nouvel ordinateur (with which) il

écrit de la poésie.

4. On préfère les arbres (m.) (under which) on

peut faire la sieste.

5. J'ai une table ancienne (on which) tu peux

mettre le vase.

6. Les politiciens (to whom) nous écrivons

répondent toujours.

7. Le boulanger (to whom) je dois téléphoner

fait les gâteaux.

8. Nous organisons une soirée (during which) il

va raconter des histoires.

9. Je vois des pommes (f.) (with which) on

peut faire une belle tarte.

10. C'est le magasin (next to which) tu vas

trouver la poste.

11. Jeanne achète un studio (in which/where)

elle espère vivre.

12. Ce sont des chambres (f.) (in which/where)

vous allez bien dormir.

The Relative Pronoun dont

The relative pronoun dont (of whom, of which, whose) replaces de an

object. Dont is preferred (to forms with lequel) when the preposition or

implied preposition is de. As a relative pronoun dont refers to both people

and things.

It is used instead of de qui, when referring to people in verbal expres-

sions with de (parler de to talk about; avoir peur de to be afraid of),

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 179

and also replaces possessive constructions with de or the possessive adjec-

tive (Chapter 10). In the following examples, notice how dont links the two

original sentences:

C'est une bonne amie. Odette

parle souvent de cette amie. C'est une bonne amie dont

Odette parle souvent.

J'ai un jeune cousin. Les chiens

de mon cousin sont adorables. J'ai un jeune cousin dont les

chiens sont adorables.

Voici une jolie maison. J'aime le

jardin de cette maison.

Voici une jolie maison dont

j'aime le jardin.

Exercise 8.11

She's a good friend. Odette often

speaks about that friend. She's a good friend about whom

Odette often speaks.

I have a young cousin. My

cousin's dogs are adorable.

I have a young cousin whose

dogs are adorable.

Here's a pretty house. I love the

garden of that house.

Here's a pretty house whose

garden I love.

Create a single sentence out of the two sentences given. Use dont in each sentence. (The words in italics will not appear in the sentences you write.)

1. Voici la librairie anglaise. Liliane parle de la librairie.

2. C'est le dictionnaire français. J'ai besoin d'un dictionnaire français.

3. J'ai une bonne amie. La famille de mon amie est très aimable.

4. Roger est un jeune avocat. Le travail de Roger est difficile.

5. Ce sont des examens de maths. Les étudiants ont peur des examens.

6. Les notes sont mauvaises. J'ai honte de ces notes.

180 First Elements of French

7. Le travail est impeccable. Catherine est fière de son (her) travail.

8. Voilà un collègue. Je connais la femme de mon collègue.

9. La glace est délicieuse. Nathalie a envie de glace.

10. J.-P. Melville est un cinéaste classique. Nous apprécions les films de J.-P.

Melville.

Indefinite Relative Pronouns: Statements from Questions

The relative pronouns ce qui, ce que, and ce dont all refer to indefinite

things or ideas, not to people. (Ce stands in for the indefinite antecedent.)

These expressions are translated by what in English. In these clauses, ce

qui is the subject, ce que the direct object, and ce dont replaces an expres-

sion with de.

J'explique ce que je fais au travail. I'm explaining what I do at work.

Nous ne savons pas ce qui We don't know what interests the

intéresse le public. public.

Ce dont j'ai besoin, c'est d'un What I need is a glass of cold

verre d'eau froide! water!

The indefinite relative pronouns ce qui, ce que, and ce dont correspond to some of the interrogative pronouns you learned in Chapter 3.

Qu'est-ce qui est près de

la porte?

-Je ne vois pas ce qui est près

de la porte.

Qu'est-ce qu'on fait ce soir?

(Que fait-on ce soir?)

-Corinne demande ce qu'on

fait ce soir.

What is near the door?

-I don't see what is near the door. What are we doing tonight?

-Corinne asks what we're doing

tonight.

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 181

De quoi is the interrogative expression corresponding to ce dont. De quoi

can also be used as an indefinite relative pronoun for expressions with de.

De quoi parle-t-il?

-Je ne sais pas ce dont/de

quoi il parle.

De quoi as-tu peur?

-Ce dont j'ai peur c'est de la

crise économique.

Exercise 8.12

What is he talking about?

-I don't know what he's talking

about.

What are you scared of?

-What I fear is the economic

downturn.

Complete each of the sentences with ce que/qu', ce qui, ce dont, or de quoi.

1. Chez le marchand de vins, il achète n'est pas cher.

2. Je ne sais pas elle veut.

3. parlez-vous en classe?

4. Nous voyons elle a peur.

5. plaît toujours à toute la famille, c'est une promenade à la

plage.

6. On ne sait pas toujours va arriver.

7. as-tu besoin, mon enfant?

8. Crois-tu tout tes grands-parents disent?

9. Elles savent nous pouvons faire.

10. j'ai envie, c'est d'une pizza aux champignons.

Exercise 8.13

Write a question in French that calls for each answer below. The questions will

vary.

1. Il est midi et demi. ?

2. Ce dont nous parlons, c'est de nos études. ?

3. J'invite plusieurs amis samedi. ?

4. Nous faisons ce que nous voulons faire. ?

182 First Elements of French

5. Ce que je veux, c'est un week-end à la plage. ?

6. Elles pensent à plusieurs acteurs. ?

7. Ce qui arrive, c'est un événement significatif. ?

8. Ce dont Julie a besoin, c'est d'un nouvel appartement. ?

9. Il va faire mauvais demain. ?

10. Nous voyons de nombreux films au festival. ?

Key Vocabulary

In an increasingly global community, workers pursue jobs and professions across national borders. Foreign language skills are becoming more and more important. Note that several professions have only a masculine form in French. You may occasionally see the expressions: une femme médecin, une femme ingénieur, une femme sculpteur, etc.

Les métiers et les professions (Jobs and Professions)

l'acteur (-trice) (actor)

l'agent de change (m.) (stockbroker)

l'agent de police (m.) (police officer)

l'agent de voyages (m.) (travel agent)

l'agriculteur (-trice) (farmer)

l'archéologue (m., f.) (archeologist)

l'architecte (m., f.) (architect)

l'artisan(e) (artisan)

l'artiste (m., f.) (artist)

l'assistant(e) social(e) (social worker)

l'astronome (m., f.) (astronomer)

l'athlète (m., f.) (athlete)

l'auteur (m.) (author)

l'avocat(e) (lawyer)

le/la banquier (-ière) (banker)

le/la biologiste (biologist)

le/la boulanger (-ère) (baker)

le cadre (manager)

le/la chanteur (-euse) (singer)

le chauffeur de taxi (taxi driver)

le/la chercheur (-euse) (researcher)

le/la chimiste (chemist)

le/la cinéaste (filmmaker)

le/la coiffeur (-euse)

(hairdresser)

le/la commerçant(e) (retailer)

le/la comptable (accountant)

le cordonnier (shoemaker)

le/la danseur (-euse) (dancer)

l'écrivain (m.) (writer)

l'électricien(ne) (electrician)

l'entrepreneur (m.)

(entrepreneur)

l'épicier (-ière) (grocer)

la femme politique (politician)

le/la fonctionnaire (civil

servant)

l'historien(ne) (historian)

l'homme politique (politician)

l'hôtesse de l'air (f.)

(flight attendant)

l'infirmier (-ière) (nurse)

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 183

l'informaticien(ne)

(software engineer)

l'ingénieur (m.) (engineer)

l'instituteur (-trice) (school

teacher)

l'interprète (m., f.) (interpreter)

le/la jardinier (-ière) (gardener)

le/la journaliste (journalist)

le magistrat (judge)

le maire (mayor)

le marin (sailor)

le médecin (physician)

le menuisier (carpenter)

le militaire (serviceman)

le/la musicien(ne) (musician)

l'ouvrier (-ière) (factory worker)

le/la paléontologue

(paleontologist)

le/la peintre (painter)

le/la philosophe (philosopher)

Exercise 8.14

le/la photographe (photographer)

le/la physicien(ne) (physicist)

le pilote (pilot)

le plombier (plumber)

le pompier (firefighter)

le professeur (lycée/university

teacher)

le/la psychologue (psychologist)

le/la publicitaire (publicist)

le/la représentant(e) (sales rep)

le/la scientifique (scientist)

le/la serveur (-euse) (server)

le soldat (soldier)

le steward (flight attendant [m.])

le/la technicien(ne) (technician)

le/la traducteur (-trice)

(translator)

le/la vendeur (-euse) (salesperson)

le/la vétérinaire (veterinarian)

Answer the questions out loud and in writing, using words from the previous vocabulary list.

1. Nommez quelques professions scientifiques:

2. Nommez quelques professions artistiques:

3. Nommez quelques professions dans les affaires (business):

4. Nommez des ouvriers qualifiés (skilled):

5. Nommez des personnes qui travaillent dans le gouvernement:

184 First Elements of French

6. Quelles professions avez-vous faites jusqu'ici (have you done till now)?

Jusqu'ici j'ai été (I have been)...

e Reading Comprehension

Une nouvelle carrière

Je m'appelle Claude Carreau. Je suis avocat, ayant travaillé depuis plus de

vingt ans comme avocat d'entreprise dans une grande société parisienne.

J'ai une famille: ma femme Sonia est enseignante de lettres; nous avons

deux enfants, Alain et Pomme - un garçon et une fille, de jeunes adoles-

cents. La famille voit, selon ce que je dis presque tous les jours, que, pour

moi, le travail que je fais devient de moins en moins intéressant. Alors, je

viens de décider que c'est le moment de changer de vie, et ma famille veut

bien suivre mon projet.

Heureusement, la famille de ma mère possède une assez grande pro-

priété près de La Rochelle sur la côte ouest atlantique de France. Elle n'est

plus cultivée depuis des années. Aujourd'hui les agriculteurs représentent

moins de trois pour cent de la population active française. À une époque où

beaucoup de petits agriculteurs ou fermiers français quittent leur terre pour

aller travailler dans des commerces ou des bureaux, moi, j'ai l'intention de

lancer une ferme biologique pour cultiver des légumes, des salades et des

baies. On sait que le climat là-bas est idéal. Je vais utiliser mes capacités

dans les affaires pour bien gérer la nouvelle entreprise. De nos jours les

produits biologiques sont très demandés par des particuliers et aussi par

les chefs des bons restaurants des environs. Je suis sûr de pouvoir réussir et

aussi d'améliorer notre vie de famille.

une grande société (a large active (working)

company) biologique (organic)

enseignante de lettres des baies (f.) (berries)

(humanities teacher) gérer (to manage)

selon (according to) des particuliers (m.) (individuals)

de moins en moins (less and less) améliorer (to improve)

n'est plus (is no longer)

Irregular Verbs II and Relative Pronouns 185

Questions

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. Décrivez la vie actuelle de Claude. Est-il satisfait de son travail? Pourquoi?

2. Qu'est-ce que Claude a l'intention de faire?

3. À votre avis, Claude va-t-il réussir sa nouvelle entreprise? Pourquoi?

4. Voulez-vous changer de vie? Si oui, comment?

9

Prendre and boire, the Partitive

Article, and Object Pronouns

The Group prendre and the Verb boire

The verbs prendre (to take; to have) and boire (to drink) are often linked together since they are both used to talk about eating and drinking.

Present Tense of prendre and boire

prendre (to take; to have) boire (to drink)

je prends nous prenons je bois nous buvons

tu prends vous prenez tu bois vous buvez

il/elle/on prend ils/elles prennent il/elle/on boit ils/elles boivent

Take note of the double n in the spelling of the third-person plural form of

prendre (ils/elles prennent) and the -uv- in the nous and vous forms of

boire: nous buvons, vous buvez.

Prenez-vous le petit déjeuner

à 7h30?

Elles prennent un taxi quand

il pleut.

Nous ne buvons pas de café

après dîner.

Il fait froid. Tu prends une

tisane?

Je bois plus d'un litre d'eau

par jour.

186

Do you eat (take) breakfast at

7:30 A.M.?

They take a taxi when it rains.

We don't drink coffee after

dinner.

It's cold out. Would you like a

cup of herbal tea?

I drink more than a liter of water

every day.

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 187

• Some common verbal expressions with prendre include:

prendre à gauche (à droite) to take a left (a right) turn

prendre le bus (le train, l'avion, etc.) to take the bus (the train, a

plane, etc.)

prendre le petit déjeuner to have breakfast

prendre un repas to have a meal

prendre son temps to take one's time

prendre un verre to have a drink

Vous prenez à gauche devant Are you taking a left turn in

l'école? front of the school?

Nous prenons notre temps We take our time on Sundays.

le dimanche.

On prend un verre au café Shall we have a drink at the

du coin? corner café?

Demain je prends le train pour Tomorrow I will take the train

Marseille. to Marseille.

• To have lunch is usually expressed with the verb déjeuner; to have din-

ner is expressed with the verb dîner. But one also hears the following

said as well.

Elle prend son déjeuner. She is having lunch.

Tu prends ton dîner? Are you having dinner?

Other verbs conjugated in the same way as prendre include:

apprendre (à) (to learn)

apprendre à qqun à (to teach someone [how] to)

comprendre (to understand)

surprendre (to surprise)

Comprenez-vous ce qu'il dit? Do you understand what he's

saying?

Ce qu'il dit ne surprend pas. What he says isn't surprising.

Je comprends l'espagnol, mais I understand Spanish, but I

je ne parle pas bien. don't speak well.

Qu'est-ce qu'elles apprennent What are they learning in that

dans ce cours? course?

188 First Elements of French

• When an infinitive follows apprendre, the preposition à must

precede it.

J'apprends à conduire. I am learning (how) to drive.

Les élèves apprennent à lire. The pupils are learning to read.

In the following example, apprendre à means to teach. The person be-

ing taught becomes the indirect object.

Jacquie apprend à son frère Jacquie is teaching her brother

à faire du ski. how to ski.

Exercise 9.1

Create complete sentences, paying attention to verb agreement and the use of contractions when necessary.

1. je/boire/une/grand/tasse/de/thé

2. nous/ne... pas/boire/de/alcool/à/le/déjeuner

3. que/prendre/tu/à/le/goûter/de/quatre heures? ?

4. comprendre/vous/ce que/elle/vouloir/dire? ?

5. quand/on/être/en retard/on/prendre/le/métro

6. ils/boire/beaucoup de/eau/en été

7. nous/prendre/à/droite/après/la/église? ?

8. je/apprendre/à/jouer/de/le/banjo

Exercise 9.2

Translate the sentences into French using boire and verbs from the group prendre.

1. Are we having a drink at the café? ?

2. I understand what he's saying.

3. Alex is taking the bus today.

4. You're (fam.) learning to ride a bike.

5. Isn't Gabrielle drinking too much (trop de) coffee? ?

6. The students don't surprise the teacher.

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 189

7. I drink a cup of consommé before dinner.

8. Are you (pol.) taking a left at the next street (au prochain carrefour)?

?

The Partitive Article

You've already learned to use the definite articles (le/la/l'/les) and the indef-

inite articles (un/une/des). French also has a third article, the partitive: du/

de la/de l'.

Vous prenez du sucre, Monsieur? Do you take any/some sugar, sir?

The partitive article refers to a part of a quantity that is measured, rather than counted.

Countable objects are used with the indefinite article un/une/des. In the plural they may include des pommes (apples), des petits pains (dinner rolls), des bouteilles (bottles), des œufs (eggs), etc.

Measurable quantities, such as food and drink used with the partitive ar-

ticle, could be du sucre ([some] sugar), du lait ([some] milk), de la viande

([some] meat), de la glace ([some] ice cream), de l'eau (f.) ([some] water),

or de la soupe ([some] soup), where an amount is measured out of a larger

whole or a container.

The partitive article (du/de la/d'/des) is always used in French sentences, even when the word some is omitted in English.

Je vais chercher du pain et I'm going to get (some) bread and

des oranges. (some) oranges.

Tu prépares de la soupe et du Are you preparing soup and fish

poisson ce soir? tonight?

Many abstract nouns in French are often expressed with the partitive

article.

Ce candidat a de la confiance This candidate has confidence

et du courage. and courage.

Uses of the Partitive Article

As shown above, the partitive is always singular; it corresponds in gender to the noun it precedes. De l' can be both feminine and masculine.

190 First Elements of French

Nous allons chercher... We're going to get . . .

du fromage, (some) cheese,

de la glace, (some) ice cream,

et de l'eau (f.). and (some) water.

Verbs such as aller chercher (to go get), prendre (to eat; to drink; to have),

manger (to eat), commander (to order), and acheter (to buy) often take

the partitive article, since one goes to get, eats, orders, or buys a portion of

something.

Verbs of Preference

Verbs of preference, such as aimer (to like, love), aimer mieux (to prefer), préférer (to prefer), and détester (to hate), usually take the definite article (le/la/l'/les) rather than the partitive.

J'adore les fruits de mer. I love seafood.

Les enfants n'aiment pas Children don't like spinach.

les épinards.

Exercise 9.3

Complete the sentences, choosing from the indefinite plural article des, the singular partitive article (du/de la/de l'), or the definite article (le/la/l'/les). (See the Key Vocabulary of Chapter 4 for the gender of food items.)

1. Madame, vous prenez sucre? Préférez-vous crème ou

lait?

2. Pour faire une omelette, nous mélangeons œufs, sel,

poivre, fines herbes et parfois fromage. Puis, nous mettons

beurre dans la poêle (pan).

3. Tout le monde adore fromage suisse.

4. Au petit déjeuner on commande café, pain,

croissants, beurre et confiture.

5. Ce soir, j'achète poisson et crevettes.

6. Renée mange viande et poulet, mais elle déteste

fruits de mer.

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 191

7. Martine, si tu vas au supermarché, je veux pommes de terre,

olives et eau.

8. Il boit chocolat chaud tous les matins.

The Partitive Article Shortened to de/d'

• In the negative, the partitive article reduces from du/de la/de l' to de/d'

before the noun:

Je prends du thé. I drink tea.

Je ne prends pas de thé. I don't drink tea.

Tu manges de la viande. You eat meat.

Tu ne manges pas de viande. You don't eat meat.

The plural indefinite article des also becomes de/d' after a negative construction.

Serge commande des œufs. Serge orders eggs.

Serge ne commande pas d'œufs. Serge doesn't order eggs.

Ne... ni... ni... is the French equivalent of neither . . . nor . . . . This

negative expression begins with ne/n', and ni precedes each element

negated.

Je n'aime ni le poisson ni I like neither fish nor lamb

l'agneau. (in general).

The entire partitive article is omitted after a ne... ni... ni... construction.

Je bois du thé et du café. I drink (both) tea and coffee.

Je ne bois ni thé ni café. I drink neither tea nor coffee.

Nous ne prenons ni beurre We have (eat) neither butter

ni confiture. nor jam.

• Partitive articles also reduce to de/d' after all expressions of quantity.

Combien de/d'... ? How much, many . . . ?

assez de (enough) un kilo de (a kilo[gram] of)

une assiette de (a plate of) un litre de (a liter of)

beaucoup de (a lot, much, many) une livre de (a pound of)

une boîte de (a can of) un peu de (a little)

une bouteille de (a bottle of) tant de (so much, many)

cent grammes de (one hundred une tasse de (a cup of)

grams of)

192 First Elements of French

une cuillérée de (a spoonful of)

une douzaine de (a dozen)

Combien de café prends-tu

le matin?

Michel a deux bouteilles d'eau. Tu veux prendre un peu de

fromage?

J'achète beaucoup de fruit et

de légumes.

Ils ne peuvent pas boire tant

de lait.

trop de (too much)

un verre de (a glass of)

How much coffee do you have in

the morning?

Michel has two bottles of water.

Do you want to have a little

cheese?

I buy a lot of fruit and vegetables. They can't drink so much milk.

• De/d' alone is used with unmodified nouns that follow avoir besoin de

(to need, require) and avoir envie de (to wish, want).

Maman, a-t-on besoin de lait? Mom, do we need milk?

-Non, mais j'ai besoin d'oignons. -No, but I need onions.

J'ai envie de chocolat et I long for chocolate and a

de vacances! vacation!

Exercise 9.4

Translate the phrases and sentences into French.

1. a dozen eggs

2. too much coffee

3. a kilo of oranges

4. a liter of milk

5. enough vegetables

6. a little mustard (moutarde)

7. a bottle of beer (bière)

8. lots of pepper

9. I don't want any cream.

10. We need olive oil and butter.

11. I'm coming to borrow (emprunter) a cup of sugar.

12. How many dinner rolls do they (f.) want? ?

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 193

13. Eugène doesn't take salt.

14. She must not drink so much wine.

15. They (m.) eat neither chocolate nor butter.

Direct Objects

Direct objects are nouns that receive the action of a verb. They usually answer the question quoi? (what?) or qui? (whom?).

In the English sentence Jennifer buys a car, a car is the direct object of

the verb buys. Direct object pronouns replace direct object nouns: Jennifer

buys it. In French, the direct object pronoun is placed before the conju-

gated verb form.

Je lis le mail. I read the e-mail.

Je lis l'article (m.). I read the article.

Je lis le journal. I read the paper.

Je regarde la télé. I watch television.

Je regarde l'étoile (f.). I look at the star.

Je regarde la lune. I look at the moon.

Je le lis.

I read it.

Je la regarde.

I watch (look at) it.

French and English sometimes differ in whether the object is direct or indi-

rect. In French, regarder (to look at; to watch) always takes a direct object.

In English, to look at takes an indirect object, and to watch takes a direct

object.

Forms and Placement of Direct Object Pronouns

Here are the direct object pronouns used in French:

SINGULAR PLURAL

me (m') me nous us

te (t') you vous you

le (l') him, it les them

la (l') her, it les them

• Third-person direct object pronouns agree in gender and number with

the nouns they replace.

le (l') replaces a masculine singular noun la (l') replaces a feminine singular noun les replaces any plural noun

194 First Elements of French

Vous retrouvez Luc et Sophie?

-Oui, nous les retrouvons

à midi.

Roger commande la crème

brûlée?

-Oui, il la commande.

Are you meeting Luc and Sophie?

-Yes, we're meeting them at

noon.

Is Roger ordering the crème

brûlée?

-Yes, he's ordering it.

• Me, te, le, and la become m', t', and l' before a vowel or a mute h. In the

case of l', context reveals the antecedent (the noun it replaces).

Je l'achète. I'm buying it (this cheese, his car,

the house).

Paul t'aime bien. Paul likes you.

La science m'intéresse beaucoup. Science interests me a lot.

• If the direct object pronoun is the object of an infinitive, it precedes the

infinitive.

Elles vont prendre le métro. They are going to take the metro.

Elles vont le prendre. They're going to take it.

• In the negative, the direct object pronoun precedes the verb form of

which it is the object.

Tu ne regardes pas la télé. You don't watch TV.

Tu ne la regardes pas. You don't watch it.

Je ne vais pas acheter le gâteau. I'm not going to buy the cake.

Je ne vais pas l'acheter. I'm not going to buy it.

• Direct object pronouns also precede voici (here is/are) and voilà (there is/

are). Voici and voilà are used to present or point out people or objects.

Le voilà! There he (it) is! Me voici! Here I am!

Exercise 9.5

Answer each question with a complete sentence, starting with oui or non as di-

rected. Use a direct object pronoun (me/m', te/t', le/la/l', nous, vous, les) in each

answer.

1. Est-ce que tu m'écoutes? -Oui,

2. Me regardes-tu? -Non,

3. Tu me comprends? -Oui,

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 195

4. Tu aimes bien Mélanie? -Oui,

5. Tu appelles les autres étudiants? -Non,

6. Est-ce que tu invites Paul demain? -Oui,

Now, answer each of the questions with a direct object pronoun preceding voici (here is/are) or voilà (there is/are).

7. Où sont les livres de français? -

8. Je cherche le numéro de téléphone. -

9. Où est la confiture? -

10. Marie et Richard, où êtes-vous? -

11. Nous ne voyons pas les valises. -

12. Tu es là? -

Exercise 9.6

Complete the sentences, translating the expressions (direct object pronoun verb)

into French. The object pronoun precedes the infinitive if it is the object of the

infinitive.

1. Jean (waits for me) jusqu'à six heures

chaque soir.

2. Il (knows you [fam.]) , mais il ne sait pas

d'où.

3. Nos amis (are going to help us) avec les

devoirs.

4. Cécile et Suzanne partent en voyage demain. Elles (are going to call me)

des États-Unis.

5. Henri est absent aujourd'hui. Je (am looking for him)

, mais je (am not finding him)

6. Françoise aime son copain Paul; elle (loves him)

beaucoup.

7. Qui veut (to go see her) ?

8. Où sont les jeunes filles? (Do you [pol.] see

them?) ?

196 First Elements of French

9. Voyez-vous vos amis tous les jours? -Non, nous (don't see them)

souvent.

10. Ton copain est sympathique. Je ne comprends pas pourquoi tu (are leaving

him)

11. Les Boileau veulent une baby-sitter. Ils (call her)

pour ce soir.

12. Je (am going to call him) , puis je prépare le

dîner.

13. Ça, c'est ma copine Annie. -Oui, nous (know her)

aussi.

Indirect Objects

Indirect object nouns and pronouns usually answer the questions to whom?

or for whom? Indirect objects refer to persons, sometimes to pets. In English,

the word to is often omitted: I give the gift to Josette. I give Josette the

gift.

• In French, the preposition à (occasionally pour) is used before an indi-

rect object noun. If a sentence has an indirect object noun, it usually also

has a direct object.

Tu montres les photos aux You're showing the photos to the

voisins? neighbors?

On achète un foulard pour Are we buying a scarf for Aunt

Tante Simone? Simone?

• The following verbs commonly have both direct and indirect objects.

acheter (to buy) envoyer (to send, ship)

apporter (to bring) expliquer (to explain)

apprendre (to teach) indiquer (to point out)

demander (to ask) montrer (to show)

dire (to tell) offrir (to offer)

donner (to give) poser (une question) (to ask [question])

écrire (to write) prêter (to lend)

Patrick offre le journal au Patrick gives the newspaper to

professeur. the professor.

Vous envoyez un cadeau You are sending a gift to Jeanne?

à Jeanne?

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 197

Je prête souvent des livres I often lend books to my friends.

à mes amis.

• A few verbs-parler à (to talk to), téléphoner à (to call, phone), and

répondre à (to answer)-take only an indirect object in French.

Je parle souvent à la boulangère. I often talk to the baker.

Tu vas répondre à Papa? Are you going to answer Dad?

Indirect Object Pronouns

Indirect object pronouns replace indirect object nouns. Like the equiva-

lent nouns, they refer only to persons. Here are the French indirect object

pronouns:

Singular Plural

me (m') (to/for) me nous (to/for) us

te (t') (to/for) you vous (to/for) you

lui (to/for) him/her leur (to/for) them (m., f.)

(m., f.)

• As usual, the letter -e is dropped (m', t') before a vowel or a mute h.

Dorothée m'envoie deux mails Dorothée sends me two e-mails

par jour. a day.

Je t'offre une semaine I'm offering you a week of

de vacances. vacation.

Indirect object pronouns do not show the gender of the person(s) referred to. Keep track of the context. Who is speaking to whom?

• The indirect object pronoun is placed before the conjugated verb. If the

verb is followed by an infinitive, the indirect object pronoun precedes

the infinitive.

Je lui prépare deux gâteaux I'm preparing two delicious cakes

délicieux. for him/her.

Tes parents? Marc veut bien leur Your parents? Marc is willing to

répondre. answer them.

• In the negative, the pronoun precedes the verb of which it is the object.

The negative construction surrounds the verb being negated.

Elle ne lui téléphone pas; elle She does not phone him; she's not

ne va pas lui écrire. going to write to him.

198 First Elements of French

Exercise 9.7

Translate the sentences into French using an indirect object pronoun (me/m', te/t', lui, nous, vous, leur) for the pronouns in italics.

1. I phone him.

2. We buy her gifts.

3. They (f.) give us some money.

4. He writes to them.

5. Chantal offers me the dictionary.

6. Are you (fam.) sending me a letter? ?

7. Édouard explains the problem to us.

8. Do you (pol.) say hello to them? ?

9. I'm going to speak to you (fam.) later.

10. She doesn't answer me.

11. Are you (fam.) going to bring me some cheese? ?

12. We don't show them the answers.

13. Camille lends her some money.

Exercise 9.8

Complete the sentences, translating the English expressions into French.

1. Julie (writes me) deux cartes postales chaque

semaine.

2. Je (want to sell you [fam.]) mon vieil

ordinateur.

3. Les copains (send us) des mails d'Abidjan.

4. Charles (gives me) les notes d'aujourd'hui.

5. Qui (can teach them) la leçon de mercredi?

6. Je (ask you [pol.]) si mes clés sont chez

vous.

7. Vous (tell her) que votre cousine vit à Strasbourg.

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 199

8. Nous (must answer him)

9. (Are you [fam.] going to bring them)

boissons?

10. Je (repeat to you [fam.])

11. Il (often asks me)

voiture.

12. Tu (are buying for us)

13. (Can you [pol.] lend me)

The Pronouns y and en

immédiatement.

des

l'adresse de Véronique? de ne pas prendre la

trop de cadeaux!

la voiture?

The pronouns y and en behave like object pronouns. Y refers to places and things; en refers to quantities.

The Pronoun y

The pronoun y can refer to a location (a country, city, building, room, etc.) that has already been mentioned in a conversation. Its English equivalent is there. Y does not refer to people. It replaces a prepositional phrase, such as à Montréal (in/to Montreal), à la pharmacie (at the drugstore), chez Maurice (at Maurice's place), en Australie (in/to Australia).

• Like direct and indirect object pronouns, y precedes the conjugated verb.

This is also true for negative and interrogative sentences.

Tu vas chez Théophile?

-Oui, j'y vais. Mais Gilberte

n'y va pas.

Qu'est-ce qu'on achète à

la droguerie?

-On y achète des produits

ménagers.

J'achète des vêtements à

la friperie. Y trouves-tu aussi des choses?

Are you going to Théophile's

(place)?

-Yes, I'm going there. But

Gilberte is not (going there).

What do we buy at the

hardware store?

-There we buy household

products.

I buy clothes at the second-

hand store. Do you find things

there, too?

200 First Elements of French

• The pronoun y can also replace the preposition à a previously men-

tioned object or idea.

Nous pensons aux vacances.

Nous y pensons tout le temps!

Je tiens à la vieille voiture de

Maman.

J'y tiens.

Exercise 9.9

We're thinking about vacation.

We think about it all the time!

I'm very attached to Mom's old

car.

I'm very attached to it.

Rewrite each sentence or question, replacing the phrase in italics with the pronoun y.

1. Je vais à la banque.

2. Nous pensons aux nouveaux cours.

3. Est-ce que tu vas voyager en Europe? ?

4. Charlotte cherche des lampes au marché.

5. Vous retrouvez des copains au café.

6. Arielle n'a pas besoin d'aller en ville.

7. Elles réfléchissent à l'avenir (the future).

8. Je n'achète pas les provisions à l'hypermarché.

9. Tu réussis géneralement aux examens? ?

10. On sert de bons repas chez Victor.

11. Tenez-vous à nous accompagner? ?

12. Les étudiants veulent faire un stage au Japon.

The Pronoun en

Expressed in English by some or any, the pronoun en replaces nouns preceded by a partitive article (du/de la/de l'), by an indefinite article (un/une/ des), or by de/d', in cases where the rest of the article is omitted.

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 201

• The pronoun en is placed directly before the verb of which it is the

object.

Tu prends du café le matin? Do you drink coffee in the

morning?

-Oui, j'en prends le matin. -Yes, I have some in the morning.

Y a-t-il des restaurants élégants Are there elegant restaurants in

à Lyon?

-Oui, il y en a.

Il y a de bonnes idées dans

l'article?

-Non, il n'y en a pas.

As-tu de l'argent?

-Hélas, je n'en ai pas.

Lyon?

-Yes, there are (some).

Are there any good ideas in the

article?

-No, there are not (any).

Do you have any money?

-Alas, I do not have any.

• When a noun following un or une is replaced by en, the singular indefi-

nite article un or une is repeated in an affirmative answer. Un or une is

not repeated in a negative answer.

Elle a une valise convenable? Does she have an appropriate

suitcase?

-Oui, elle en a une. -Yes, she has one.

-Non, elle n'en a pas. -No, she does not have (one).

En also replaces a noun modified by a number or by an expression of quantity, such as un(e) (one), cinq (five), plusieurs (several, a few), beaucoup de (a lot of, many), un kilo de (a kilo[gram] of), assez de (enough), trop de (too, too much), etc.

When en is used in an affirmative sentence, de/d' the noun is

dropped, and the number or expression of quantity is repeated. In this situation, en is always expressed in French.

Est-ce que tu as beaucoup Do you have a lot of homework?

de devoirs?

-Oh, oui, j'en ai beaucoup! -Oh yes, I have a lot (of it)!

Combien de trains voyez-vous? How many trains do you see?

-J'en vois plusieurs. -I see a few (of them).

Benoît suit combien de cours? Benoît is taking how many

classes?

-Il en suit quatre. -He's taking four (of them).

Marina va chercher trois Marina's going to get three

bouteilles de vin. bottles of wine.

202 First Elements of French

-Elle va en chercher trois?

-Non, elle ne va pas en chercher. Tu achètes un kilo d'oranges? -Oui, j'en achète un kilo.

-She's going to get three (of

them)?

-No, she's not going to get any.

You're buying a kilo of oranges?

-Yes, I'm buying a kilo (of them).

• En also replaces de/d' a noun referring to a thing or an idea in sen-

tences with verbal expressions using de: parler de (to speak of, about),

avoir besoin de (to need), avoir envie de (to wish for, want), être fier

(fière) de (to be proud of), etc.

Est-ce que François parle

des chiens?

-Oui, il en parle.

Avez-vous besoin d'argent?

-Oui, nous en avons besoin.

Marthe est fière de la maison.

Elle en est fière.

Exercise 9.10

Is François talking about the

dogs?

-Yes, he's talking about them. Do you need money?

-Yes, we need some.

Marthe is proud of the house.

She's proud of it.

Answer the questions affirmatively (Oui, ... ) with a complete sentence, replacing the phrase in italics with the pronoun en.

EXAMPLE: Prenez-vous beaucoup de salade? Oui, nous en

prenons beaucoup.

1. Vous allez acheter des provisions?

2. Sébastien a-t-il de l'argent?

3. Est-ce que tu bois du lait?

4. Les étudiants ont-ils beaucoup de devoirs?

5. Madonna possède-t-elle trois maisons?

6. Nous avons assez de légumes?

7. On va chercher une douzaine d'œufs?

8. As-tu besoin de logement?

9. Claudie prend deux kilos de pommes de terre?

10. On utilise trop d'énergie?

11. Tu as un euro à me prêter (lend)?

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 203

Now, answer the questions in the negative (Non, ... ).

12. Est-ce que les enfants boivent du café?

13. Avez-vous assez de farine (flour)?

14. Léonard achète-t-il des chaussures de marche?

15. Tu as besoin de quelques centimes?

16. Benoîte prend-elle une tasse de thé?

17. Tes amies mangent-elles beaucoup de sucreries (sweets)?

Exercise 9.11

Rewrite the sentences and questions, replacing the element in italics with a direct object pronoun, an indirect object pronoun, y, or en.

1. Nous achetons beaucoup de fruits.

2. Elle met de la crème dans la tasse.

3. Je vais bientôt en France.

4. À Noël, nous offrons des cadeaux aux collègues.

5. À Noël, on offre des cadeaux aux collègues.

6. Elles lisent toujours les romans policiers.

7. Achètes-tu des bonbons pour les enfants? ?

8. N'écris-tu pas à Monique? ?

9. Papa mange trop de pain.

10. Je tiens fort (greatly) à ma collection de vieux albums.

11. Vous appréciez les comédies classiques.

12. Montrent-elles la photo à Martine? ?

13. François ne remet pas les devoirs au professeur.

14. Ils travaillent dans un bureau en ville.

15. Je cherche trois livres de classe.

16. Nous voulons passer du temps au Brésil.

17. Marc ne voit pas son amie Nicole ce week-end.

18. Tu oublies encore le parapluie? ?

204 First Elements of French

Key Vocabulary

Urban and rural dwellers alike have a close connection with their environment.

Les animaux (Animals)

l'agneau (m.) (lamb)

l'aigrette (f.) (egret)

l'âne (m.) (donkey)

le canard (duck)

le cerf (deer)

le chameau (camel)

le chat (cat)

le cheval (horse)

la chèvre (goat)

le chien (dog)

le chimpanzé (chimpanzee)

le cochon (pig)

le colibris (hummingbird)

le coq (rooster)

le corbeau (crow)

le crapaud (toad)

le crocodile (crocodile)

le dauphin (dolphin)

le dindon (turkey)

l'écureuil (m.) (squirrel)

l'éléphant (m.) (elephant)

le faucon (falcon)

la gazelle (gazelle)

la girafe (giraffe)

le gorille (gorilla)

la grenouille (frog)

Les plantes (Plants)

l'arbre (m.) (tree)

l'arbuste (m.) (bush)

le bois (wood)

la branche (branch)

le cactus (cactus)

le *hibou (owl)

le kangourou (kangaroo)

le lapin (rabbit)

le lion (lion)

le loup (wolf)

le moineau (sparrow)

le mouton (sheep)

l'oie (f.) (goose)

l'oiseau (m.) (bird)

l'ours (m.) (bear)

le perroquet (parrot)

le pigeon (pigeon)

le pingouin (penguin)

la poule (chicken, hen)

le rat (rat)

le renard (fox)

le requin (shark)

le serpent (snake)

le singe (monkey)

la souris (mouse)

le taureau (bull)

le tigre (tiger)

la tortue (turtle)

la vache (cow)

la volaille (poultry)

le zèbre (zebra)

le champignon (mushroom)

le chêne (oak tree)

le citronnier (lemon tree)

l'écorce (f.) (tree bark)

la feuille (leaf)

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 205

la fleur (flower)

la forêt (forest)

le gazon (lawn)

l'herbe (f.) (grass)

l'iris (m.) (iris)

le lilas (lilac)

le lys (lily)

la marguerite (daisy)

l'olivier (m.) (olive tree)

l'orchidée (f.) (orchid)

l'orme (f.) (elm tree)

la pétale (petal)

Exercise 9.12

le pin (pine tree)

le pommier (apple tree)

la racine (root)

le rameau (twig)

la rose (rose)

la souche (tree stump)

la tige (stem)

le tronc (tree trunk)

la tulipe (tulip)

la vigne (vine)

le vignoble (vineyard)

Use the previous vocabulary list to answer the questions.

1. Nommez quelques mammifères qu'on trouve au zoo.

2. Nommez des oiseaux. Quels oiseaux aimez-vous particulièrement?

3. Nommez des reptiles et des amphibiens.

4. Nommez des animaux qu'on trouve dans une ferme.

5. Quelles plantes mettez-vous dans votre jardin idéal?

e Reading Comprehension

Le jardin zoologique idéal

Qui n'aime pas aller au zoo? Composé de jardins botaniques, d'un Muséum

d'Histoire Naturelle et d'une ménagerie d'un millier d'animaux, le Jardin

des Plantes de Paris, dans le cinquième arrondissement sur la Rive gauche,

existe depuis 1794. C'est à cette date - à la suite de la Révolution Fran-

206 First Elements of French

çaise - qu'on crée un parc public qui rassemble les plantes et animaux

des collections des rois de France. Les premiers animaux viennent de la

ménagerie royale de Versailles et de la ménagerie privée du duc d'Orléans.

En plus, les nouvelles autorités révolutionnaires y ajoutent les animaux des

forains (les gens présentant des spectacles animaliers de rue, maintenant

interdits).

Avec son architecture qui date du dix-huitième et du dix-neuvième siè-

cles, la ménagerie est le plus ancien zoo du monde conservé dans son as-

pect originel. Comme elle n'est pas très grande, elle contient surtout des

espèces de petite taille (mammifères, oiseaux, reptiles, amphibiens et

même des insectes), qui sont soignées par une soixantaine de personnes, y

compris des vétérinaires. Le zoo accueille bien sûr les visiteurs, mais on

y mène aussi des études de comportement et de reproduction d'espèces

rares, souvent en collaboration avec des chercheurs d'autres pays. Le zoo

participe à de nombreux projets d'élevage d'animaux menacés de dispari-

tion dans leurs milieux naturels. C'est le cas des petits chevaux de Prze-

walski qui n'existent plus à l'état sauvage. Pour certaines espèces, on pense

même les réintroduire dans leurs zones d'origine.

un millier (a thousand)

la Rive gauche (the Left Bank)

à la suite de (following)

on crée (they create)

des rois (m.) (of the kings)

ajoutent (add)

des forains (m.) (of the street

entertainers)

interdits (prohibited)

comme (since, because)

surtout (above all)

Questions

des espèces (f.) (species)

petite taille (small size)

soignées (cared for)

y compris (including)

accueille (accueillir) (welcomes)

mène (mener) (conduct)

de comportement (behavior)

l'élevage (m.) (breeding)

menacés de disparition

(endangered)

n'existent plus (no longer exist)

After reading the selection, answer the questions in French.

1. Où est le zoo dont on parle ici?

2. D'où viennent les premiers animaux du Jardin des Plantes? Pourquoi?

Prendre and boire, the Partitive Article, and Object Pronouns 207

3. Quels animaux y sont exposés (displayed)?

4. Comment sont les animaux? Pourquoi?

5. Quelles activités est-ce qu'on mène dans ce zoo?

6. Quels aspects du Jardin des Plantes vous intéressent? Pourquoi?

10

Possessives, Demonstratives,

Comparatives, and Adverbs

Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns

French possessive adjectives and pronouns agree in number and gender with the nouns they modify or replace.

Possessive Adjectives

Since the possessive adjectives match the nouns they modify in number and gender, they don't match the "owner" of the noun. Here are the French possessive adjectives:

Singular

MASCULINE FEMININE

my mon père ma mère

your ton père ta mère

his/her/its/one's son père sa mère

our notre père notre mère

your votre père votre mère

their leur père leur mère

Plural

MASCULINE OR FEMININE

my mes cousins (ou) cousines

your tes cousins (ou) cousines

his/her/its/one's ses cousins (ou) cousines

our nos cousins (ou) cousines

your vos cousins (ou) cousines

their leurs cousins (ou) cousines

208

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 209

Voilà sa maison.

Appelles-tu souvent ton fiancé

et ses parents?

Mes voisines dînent avec leur

oncle.

There's his/her house.

Do you often call your fiancé and

his parents?

My neighbors (f.) are having

dinner with their uncle.

The possessive adjective leur (their) has the same spelling as the plural indi-

rect object pronoun leur (to them). But the possessive adjective has a plural

form: leurs.

Nos amis prennent leur voiture Our friends are taking their car

et leurs bagages. and their bags.

The forms mon, ton, and son must be used before singular feminine nouns

that begin with a vowel or mute h.

adresse (f.) mon adresse my address

amie (f.) ton amie your (fam.) friend

histoire (f.) son histoire his (or her) story

Exercise 10.1

Complete the phrases with the French possessive adjective, given here in English.

1. (my) maison 6. (your [pol.]) grands-parents

2. (her) oncle 7. (our) appartement

3. (our) problèmes 8. (my) voisines

4. (their) chien 9. (his) amis

5. (your [fam.]) jardin 10. (your [fam.]) livres

Exercise 10.2

Complete each sentence using the appropriate French possessive adjective (mon,

ma, mes, etc.).

1. Je suis étudiant; livres sont dans sac à dos (backpack).

2. C'est un excellent prof; idées sont intéressantes.

3. Ils sont avocats; clients sont ou coupables ou innocents.

210 First Elements of French

4. Notre frère (brother) est architecte, mais parents sont professeurs.

5. Voilà ma grand-mère; maison est en Provence.

6. Le cousin de Cécile est menuisier; employés sont très qualifiés.

7. Vous êtes étudiants; livres sont lourds!

8. Liliane est à Toulouse; sœurs ne sont pas loin. Elles sont à

Bordeaux.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns replace nouns that are modified by a possessive adjective or other possessive construction or idea. In English, the possessive pronouns are mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs: The textbooks? I have mine and they have theirs. In French, the definite article (le/la/les) is always used with a possessive pronoun.

Singular

MASCULINE FEMININE

mine le mien la mienne

yours le tien la tienne

his/her/its le sien la sienne

ours le nôtre la nôtre

yours le vôtre la vôtre

theirs le leur la leur

Le/la/les nôtre(s) and le/la/les vôtre(s)

Plural

MASCULINE FEMININE

les miens les miennes

les tiens les tiennes

les siens les siennes

les nôtres les nôtres

les vôtres les vôtres

les leurs les leurs

Note the circumflex accent in the spelling of le/la/les nôtre(s) and le/la/les

vôtre(s).

• The circumflex requires the pronunciation [oh], long vowel, for the letter

o. In the possessive pronouns notre and votre, which do not have the circumflex, the letter o is pronounced [uh].

Notre [nuhtR] cours est intéressant. Our class is interesting.

-Hélas, le nôtre [nohtR] est -Alas, ours is very boring!

très ennuyeux!

In the plural possessive pronoun (leurs), masculine and feminine forms are the same. Possessive pronouns have the gender and number of the object or person "owned," not the "owner."

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 211

Où sont leurs outils?

-Les leurs sont ici, les miens

sont là-bas.

Ça, c'est ma sœur. Où est

la tienne?

-La mienne est encore à la fac.

Where are their tools?

-Theirs are here; mine are over

there.

That's my sister. Where's yours?

-Mine is still at the university.

Mes bagages sont là-bas. Où sont My bags are over there. Where

les vôtres? are yours?

-Les nôtres sont déjà dans le taxi. -Ours are already in the taxi.

The definite article preceding possessive pronouns is contracted with the

prepositions à and de. (L' and la do not contract.)

Je pense à mes vacances et vous I'm thinking about my vacation

pensez aux vôtres.

Florence a son vélo; elle n'a pas

besoin du tien.

Exercise 10.3

and you're thinking about

yours.

Florence has her bike; she doesn't

need yours.

Read the sentences, and complete each question by replacing the nouns in italics

with the logical French possessive pronoun: le/la/les mien(ne)(s), le/la/les vôtre(s),

etc.

1. Je fais mes devoirs l'après-midi. Quand fais-tu ?

2. Nous ne prêtons pas notre voiture. Prêtez-vous parfois

?

3. Paulette arrive à terminer son travail. Paul arrive-t-il à terminer

?

4. Jean-Pierre ressemble à son père. Que penses-tu? Ressemblons-nous

?

5. Je téléphone souvent à mes parents. Est-ce que Michelle téléphone

?

6. Nous avons besoin de notre motocyclette (f.) aujourd'hui. Avez-vous

besoin ?

212 First Elements of French

Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns

Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns point out or specify a particular person, object, or idea.

Demonstrative Adjectives

French demonstrative adjectives, ce/cette/ces-the equivalent in English of singular this/that and plural these/those-always precede a noun and agree with the noun in gender and in number. Ce becomes cet before masculine singular nouns that start with a vowel or mute h. Plural ces is the same for masculine and feminine.

Masculine Feminine

Singular ce livre cette chaise

cet homme cette adresse

Plural ces livres ces chaises

ces hommes ces adresses

Pronunciation Before a Vowel or Mute h

Pronounce the liaison between the demonstrative adjectives cet and ces before a vowel or mute h.

Cet appartement est

bien équipé.

Ces œuvres sont très

intéressantes.

Qui est cette dame? Et cet

homme là-bas?

Je trouve ce manteau très

convenable.

This/That apartment is well equipped.

These/Those works are very interesting.

Who's this/that woman? And

that man over there?

I find this/that coat quite suitable.

On aime bien ces hommes d'état. Those statesmen are much

appreciated.

-Ci (this [here]) or -là (that [there]) is sometimes attached to nouns that are

preceded by a demonstrative adjective. -Ci and -là may indicate relative

distance and are also used to make a simple distinction between persons or

objects.

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 213

Amélie parle de cette maison-ci. Amélie is talking about this house.

Cette maison-là n'est pas That one isn't for rent.

à louer.

Exercise 10.4

Complete the phrases with the correct demonstrative adjective (ce, cet, cette, or

ces).

1. belles fleurs 5. arbre ancien

2. nouvel appartement 6. grosse valise

3. gentil chat 7. soldats courageux

4. repas délicieux 8. article important

Exercise 10.5

Complete the sentences using ce, cet, cette, or ces. Add -ci or -là when appropriate;

otherwise leave the second space blank.

1. Qui est homme qui sort avec Julie? (that)

2. magazine est intéressant, mais article

contient plus d'information. (this/that)

3. Tu aimes chemises , ou bien tu préfères

chemises ? (these/those)

4. Où voulez-vous manger, dans restaurant ou dans

cafétéria (f.) ? (this/that)

5. dames vont courir dans le marathon. (those)

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns (in English: this one, that one, those) refer to a

person, thing, or idea mentioned previously in a conversation. In French,

they agree in gender and number with the nouns they replace. Demonstra-

tive pronouns must be followed by -ci or -là, a preposition, or a relative

pronoun.

214 First Elements of French

Masculine

Singular celui...

Plural ceux...

Un dictionnaire? J'aime celui

qui a de bonnes définitions.

Feminine

celle...

celles...

A dictionary? I like the one that

has good definitions.

La maison? Celle que j'achète a The house? The one I'm buying

un prix raisonnable.

Ces étudiants? Ceux qui sont

des Verts sont plutôt militants.

Des idéologies? Les gens

choisissent celles qu'ils

peuvent comprendre.

has a reasonable price.

Those students? Those who are

Greens are rather militant.

Ideologies? People choose the

ones (those) they can

understand.

Demonstrative pronouns do not stand alone. They are always used in one of

these contexts:

• With the suffixes -ci or -là to make a distinction between objects

or persons

Voici plusieurs magazines. Tu Here are a few magazines. Do you

veux celui-ci ou celui-là? want this one or that one?

• Followed by a preposition (often de/d' or a compound preposition

with de/d')

Quelle littérature aimes-tu mieux? Which literature do you prefer?

Celle d'Amérique latine ou Latin American or French?

celle de France? (Literally: That of Latin

America or of France?)

De quel restaurant parle-t-il? Which restaurant is he talking

Celui à côté de la banque ou about? The one next to the

celui au coin de la rue? bank or the one at the corner?

• Followed by a clause introduced by a relative pronoun (qui, que,

or dont)

Cet auteur a une douzaine de That author has a dozen mystery

romans policiers. Celui novels. The one I'm reading is

que je lis est formidable! terrific!

Mireille veut suivre trois cours, Mireille wants to take three

mais on n'offre pas ceux dont classes, but they're not offering

elle a besoin. the ones she needs.

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 215

Indefinite Demonstrative Pronouns

Ceci (this), cela (that), and ça (that, informal) are indefinite demonstrative pronouns. They refer to an idea or object (not a person) with no definite antecedent. The indefinite demonstrative pronouns do not show gender or number. They sometimes precede the indefinite subject ce/c'.

Cela (Ça) m'est égal.

Tu vois ceci?

Ça, c'est tout ce dont nous

avons besoin.

Exercise 10.6

It is all the same to me.

Do you see this?

That is all we need.

Translate the sentences into French using demonstrative pronouns (celui... , celle... ,

ceux... , celles...) or indefinite demonstratives (cela, ça, ceci) for the words in

italics.

1. I love reading novels. Those that I prefer are full of adventures (pleins

d'aventures).

2. Marc's courses are interesting, especially those in the history department

(la faculté d'histoire).

3. Which car do you (fam.) want to rent (louer)? This one or that one?

?

4. These are good computers. Those that run (marcher) well aren't very

expensive.

5. Here are a few movies. The one that you (fam.) want to see is available

(disponible).

6. The books are on the table. I'm reading this one. Do you want that one?

?

216 First Elements of French

7. I need to borrow (emprunter) some notes (notes [f.]). Anne's are always

easy to read.

8. We're going to see a play on Saturday. The one that we're going to see is

a comedy.

Comparatives and Superlatives

It is natural to make comparisons among people and things, and, at times, we are called upon to make evaluations. French has simple patterns for comparing adjectives, nouns, verbs, and adverbs.

The Comparative with Adjectives

Terms that indicate greater, equal, and lesser are: plus (more), aussi (as), and moins (less).

Que/qu' always precedes the element being compared. When a pronoun is needed, a stressed pronoun (see Chapter 11) follows que.

plus grands que [taller than]

Nous sommes [We are] aussi grands que [as tall as] lui. [he (is).]

moins grands que [shorter than]

Je suis plus pauvre que

M. Buffett.

Adam est moins fort que toi.

Elles sont aussi intelligentes

que vous.

The Comparative with Nouns

I am poorer than Mr. Buffett.

Adam is less strong (weaker)

than you (are).

They are as intelligent as you

(all) (are).

When nouns are compared, de/d' always precedes the noun. The expression

of equality, autant de, is used instead of aussi.

plus de [more] [cousins than she (has).]

J'ai [I have] autant de [as many] cousins qu'elle. [cousins as she (has).]

moins de [fewer] [cousins than she (has).]

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 217

Maurice a plus de temps libre

que moi.

Je n'ai pas autant d'argent que

mon frère.

Mon père fait moins de courses

que ma mère.

Comparing Verbs

Maurice has more free time than

I (do).

I don't have as much money as

my brother.

My father does fewer errands

than my mother.

When you compare action verbs, use plus que (more than), autant que (as much as), and moins que (less than) after the verb. Que/qu' is followed by a noun, a stressed pronoun, an adverb of time, or another verb.

Khaled travaille plus que Fatima. Khaled works more than Fatima. Jeanne étudie autant que moi. Jean studies as much as I (do).

Ma grand-mère lit moins qu'avant. My grandmother reads less than

before.

Nous skiions autant que We ski as much as we work!

nous travaillons!

Exercise 10.7

Complete the sentences with the French equivalent of the phrases given in English. Pay attention to the agreement (gender and number) of adjectives.

1. Sa voiture est chère, mais elle n'est pas la

mienne. (as expensive as)

2. Notre cours de mathématiques est le cours

d'économie politique. (more interesting than)

3. Vous avez examens

4. Ta maison est

than)

5. Ces films sont

(more exciting [passionnants] than) 6. Ma sœur cadette (younger) est

aîné (older). (happier than)

7. Les rues sont

than)

nous. (as many . . . as)

mon appartement. (smaller

les émissions de télévision.

mon frère

les avenues. (less wide [larges]

218 First Elements of French

8. Tu crois que les chevaux sont les chiens? (as

intelligent as)

9. Cette maison rouge est la maison jaune.

(older than)

10. Je lis toi. (more than)

11. Il en sait nous. (less than)

12. Je pense que Monique est Martine. (older)

13. La cuisine indienne est la cuisine chinoise.

(spicier [épicée] than)

14. Notre salle de bains est la salle à manger.

(cleaner [propre] than)

15. Nous sommes les voisins. (nicer

[sympathiques] than)

16. Je n'ai pas argent mes parents. (as much . . . as)

17. Je suis actuellement mes amis. (less sad

than)

18. Les parents sont leurs enfants. (more tired

than)

19. Isabelle pense que le soleil est la lune;

Raymond pense que la lune est . (more

important than/more important)

20. Les filles jouent à sports les garçons. (as

many . . . as)

21. À la confiserie, je vends bonbons je ne

mange! (fewer . . . than)

22. Ils gagnent argent Pierre. (more . . . than)

The Superlative of Adjectives and Nouns

The definite article le/la/les is always used in French superlative constructions. It matches the noun in gender and number.

Superlative of Adjectives

In the superlative, adjectives, preceded by le/la/les, keep their position

before or after the noun. When the adjective follows the noun, the definite

Possessives, Demonstratives, Comparatives, and Adverbs 219

article is repeated after the noun. The preposition de/d' expresses in or of (a

place or a group).

Jean est intelligent.

Micheline est plus intelligente que Jean.

Claire est (l'étudiante) la plus intelligente des trois.

Josée est la moins travailleuse. Josée is the least hardworking.

Voici le plus jeune membre

de ma famille.

Quelle est la plus belle île

du monde?

Superlative of Nouns

Here's the youngest member of

my family.

Which is the most beautiful

island in the world?

In the superlative, nouns are preceded by le moins de (the least) or le

plus de (the most). Use de/d' (of or in) before the name of the place or the

group.

Marc fait le moins de devoirs

de la classe!

M. Gates a le plus d'argent

de tous.

Superlative of Verbs

Marc does the least homework

in the class!

Mr. Gates has the most money

of everyone.

To express the superlative of verbs, simply use le plus (the most) or le moins

(the least) after the verb, always with the impersonal singular le:

Moi, je travaille le moins.

C'est l'émission qu'elle regarde

le plus.

Voilà ce qui leur plaît le plus.

Me, I work the least.

That's the program she watches

(the) most.