French Verbs for Dummies (ISBN - 0471773883)

by Zoe Erotopoulos PhDProfessor of French at Fairfield University

French VerbsFOR

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French VerbsFOR

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French VerbsFOR

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French Verbs For Dummiesreg

Published byWiley Publishing Inc111 River StHoboken NJ 07030-5774wwwwileycom

Copyright copy 2006 by Wiley Publishing Inc Indianapolis Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing Inc Indianapolis Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic mechanical photocopying recording scanning or otherwise except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 ofthe 1976 United States Copyright Act without either the prior written permission of the Publisher or authorization throughpayment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center 222 Rosewood Drive Danvers MA 01923 978-750-8400 fax 978-646-8600 Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal DepartmentWiley Publishing Inc 10475 Crosspoint Blvd Indianapolis IN 46256 317-572-3447 fax 317-572-4355 or online athttpwwwwileycomgopermissions

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For general information on our other products and services please contact our Customer Care Department within the USat 800-762-2974 outside the US at 317-572-3993 or fax 317-572-4002

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Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats Some content that appears in print may not be available inelectronic books

Library of Congress Control Number 2006926467

ISBN-13 978-0-471-77388-7

ISBN-10 0-471-77388-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1BRWQYQWIN

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About the AuthorZoe Erotopoulos was born in Macedonia Hellas (Greece) and immigrated to the UnitedStates with her parents and brother at a young age Her love of the French language and literature inspired her to pursue her academic dream She holds an MA MPhil and PhD inFrench and Romance Philology from Columbia University in New York City She has alsostudied in Aix-en-Provence at the Sorbonne and at the Ecole Normale Supeacuterieure in Paris

Her teaching experience in French ranges from elementary to advanced level courses includ-ing literature and theater Dr Erotopoulosrsquo area of expertise is 17th century French TheaterShe has taught at a number of institutions including Columbia University Reid Hall in Parisand Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut For the past 15 years she has been teaching in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Fairfield University in FairfieldConnecticut She serves as coordinator and supervisor of a number of teacher assistants eachyear Dr Erotopoulos lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children

DedicationThis book is dedicated to my family

Authorrsquos AcknowledgmentsThere are a great number of people I must thank for this joyous endeavor First I would liketo thank my parents George and Olga Erotopoulos for their unwavering encouragement andsupport their sacrifice for a better future for their children and their unconditional love Tomy brother Jim my sister-in-law Alissa and their beautiful twin daughters I am so thankfulthat you are a constant part of my life A special thank you to my mother- and father-in-lawto my husband Steve and our beautiful children Despina Olga and Stathi for their love andsupport

In addition I would like to thank my colleagues at the Department of Modern Languagesand Literatures at Fairfield University for their encouragement especially Dr Marie-AgnegravesSourieau for her belief in me Since teaching is also learning I owe a big thank you to all mystudents throughout my many years of teaching A heartfelt thanks to Cynthia Nadal for herinsightful comments and suggestions Last but certainly not least a special thank you tothe editorial staff at Wiley for their professionalism insightfulness and expertise especiallyto my project editor Chad Sievers acquisitions editor Tracy Boggier and copy editor SarahFaulkner A special thanks to this bookrsquos technical editor Joyce Roush a French teacher atCulver Academies in Culver Indiana

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Publisherrsquos AcknowledgmentsWersquore proud of this book please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located atwwwdummiescomregister

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following

Acquisitions Editorial and Media Development

Project Editor Chad R Sievers

Acquisitions Editor Tracy Boggier

Copy Editor Sarah Faulkner

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Technical Editor Joyce A Roush

Editorial Manager Michelle Hacker

Editorial Assistants Erin Calligan David Lutton

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Composition Services

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Contents at a GlanceIntroduction1

Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present Indicative5Chapter 1 Verbs 101 The Lowdown on Verbs7Chapter 2 Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense 17Chapter 3 Knowing How to Handle Spelling-Change Verbs 29Chapter 4 Wrestling with Some Irregular Conjugations 43Chapter 5 Reflecting on Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive Reciprocal and Idiomatic) 61Chapter 6 Forming the Present Participle and the Gerund 69

Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and Such77Chapter 7 Inquisitive Minds Want to Know Asking and Answering Questions 79Chapter 8 Telling People What to Do The Regular Irregular and Pronominal Commands89Chapter 9 Looking Forward and Back The Immediate Future and Past101Chapter 10 Correctly Using Often Misused Verbs in Daily Conversation 109

Part III Taking a Look Back The Past Tenses 119Chapter 11 No Tense Is Perfect The Imperfect Tense 121Chapter 12 Comprehending the Passeacute Composeacute and the Pluperfect Tenses 133Chapter 13 Contrasting the Imperfect with the Passeacute Composeacute 153Chapter 14 Deciphering the Literary Tenses The Passeacute Simple and Passeacute Anteacuterieur 163

Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional Tenses 171Chapter 15 Moving Forward with the Future Tense 173Chapter 16 Completing a Future Action with the Future Perfect183Chapter 17 Could-ing and Would-ing with the Present Conditional Tense 191Chapter 18 Trying the Past Conditional Tense Could Have and Would Have 201

Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or Not 209Chapter 19 Creating the Present Subjunctive211Chapter 20 Knowing How to Use the Present Subjunctive 223Chapter 21 Forming and Using the Past Subjunctive 237

Part VI The Part of Tens243Chapter 22 Ten Verbs Used the French Way245Chapter 23 Ten Most Frequently Mixed-Up Verbs 249

Part VII Appendixes255Appendix A French-to-English Verb Glossary257Appendix B English-to-French Verb Glossary263Appendix C Conjugating Common Irregular Verbs 269

Index283

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Table of ContentsIntroduction 1

About This Book1Conventions Used in This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 2How This Book Is Organized2

Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present Indicative 3Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and Such 3Part III Taking a Look Back The Past Tenses3Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional Tenses 3Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or Not 3Part VI The Part of Tens 3Part VII Appendixes 4

Icons Used in This Book4Where to Go from Here4

Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present Indicative 5

Chapter 1 Verbs 101 The Lowdown on Verbs 7Identifying the Four Main Verb Types 7Classifying Verbs 8

Contrasting transitive and intransitive verbs8Following up with a preposition9

Linking Auxiliary Impersonal and Helping Verbs Oh My11Linking everything together11Focusing on the auxiliaries 11Eyeing the impersonals 11Lending a helping hand 12

Watching Your Mood 12Making it personal12Donrsquot take it so personally The impersonal mood12

Categorizing the Tenses 13Poring Over Pronouns 13Answer Key 15

Chapter 2 Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense17Classifying Regular Present-Tense Verbs 17Looking At -er Verbs 18Focusing On -ir Verbs20Trying -re Verbs21Modifying Actions with Adverbs23Forming Sentences Word by Word24Answer Key 26

Chapter 3 Knowing How to Handle Spelling-Change Verbs 29Taking a Stab at Spelling-Change Verbs29

Managing -ger verbs29Working with -cer verbs31Keeping an eye on the silent types 32

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page ix

Handling eacute verbs34Figuring out -eter and -eler verbs 35Dotting the i in -yer verbs36

Building Sentences Word by Word38Answer Key 40

Chapter 4 Wrestling with Some Irregular Conjugations43Conjugating Irregular Verbs43

Focusing on the four most common irregular verbs 43Working through other ldquohelpfulrdquo irregular verbs45

Grouping Irregular Verbs47Looking at the ldquopseudordquo -ir verbs 47The ldquowannabesrdquo -ir verbs acting like -er verbs49ldquoDeceptiverdquo -ir verbs Same endings different stem 50Comprehending irregular -re verbs51Remembering the ldquometsrdquo 53Continuing with irregular -re verbs54Looking at other odd irregular verbs 55

Answer Key 58

Chapter 5 Reflecting on Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive Reciprocal and Idiomatic)61

Understanding Reflexive Verbs 61Looking At Reciprocal Verbs 64Attempting Idiomatic Verbs65Answer Key 68

Chapter 6 Forming the Present Participle and the Gerund 69Introducing the Present Participle69Using the Present Participle 70Forming the Gerund71

Using the gerund 71Pronominal verbs Corresponding to the subject72

Forming and Using the Past Present Participle73Answer Key 75

Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and Such 77

Chapter 7 Inquisitive Minds Want to Know Asking and Answering Questions79

Using Inversion to Ask Questions 80Inversion with vowels80Inversion with a noun 81Inversion with pronominal verbs 81Inversion with two verbs in a sentence82

Responding in the Negative83Forming the Negative with Inversion 85Making the Infinitive Negative85Answer Key 87

x French Verbs For Dummies

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page x

Chapter 8 Telling People What to Do The Regular Irregular and Pronominal Commands 89

Forming Commands with Regular Verbs89Making -er verbs into commands89Making -ir verbs into commands90Making -re verbs into commands 91

Forming Commands with Irregular Verbs92Creating the Negative Imperative 94Using Pronominal Verbs to Make Commands 95Adding Pronouns to Commands 96Answer Key 99

Chapter 9 Looking Forward and Back The Immediate Future and Past 101Creating the Immediate Future Tense 101Creating the Immediate Past Tense 102Going and Coming with Aller and Venir 103

Going to and coming back103Going and coming from 105

Answer Key 108

Chapter 10 Correctly Using Often Misused Verbs in Daily Conversation 109Knowing the Difference between Connaicirctre and Savoir109Identifying What to Play111Keeping Avoir and Faire in Line 112

Using avoir 113Trying faire115

Answer Key 118

Part III Taking a Look Back The Past Tenses 119

Chapter 11 No Tense Is Perfect The Imperfect Tense 121Making Regular Verbs Imperfect 121Forming the Imperfect with Irregular Verbs 123

ldquoEyeingrdquo verb stems125Working with -cer and -ger verbs 125The one true irregular imperfect verb mdash ecirctre126

Using the Imperfect126Expressing habitual and continuous actions127Describing the past 128Interrupting actions in progress129Using the imperfect with certain constructions 129Describing simultaneous actions 129Making suggestions and expressing wishes 130Hypothesizing with the imperfect130

Answer Key 131

Chapter 12 Comprehending the Passeacute Composeacute and the Pluperfect Tenses133Forming the Passeacute Composeacute 133

Regular verbs and the passeacute composeacute134Irregular verbs and the passeacute composeacute 135Making sure the past participle agrees with the preceding direct object 138

xiTable of Contents

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page xi

Creating the Passeacute Composeacute with Ecirctre 140Making sure the subject and participle agree 142Forming the passeacute composeacute with pronominal verbs 143

Flexible Verbs Using Either Avoir or Ecirctre146Making the Passeacute Composeacute Negative147Forming the Pluperfect148Answer Key 150

Chapter 13 Contrasting the Imperfect with the Passeacute Composeacute 153Identifying the Main Differences between the Two Tenses 153Selecting the Right Tense Imperfect or Passeacute Composeacute 155

Relying on helpful key words155Eyeing verbs usually used with the imperfect 156Looking at verbs that have different meanings

in imperfect and passeacute composeacute157Understanding the context 159

Answer Key 160

Chapter 14 Deciphering the Literary Tenses The Passeacute Simple and Passeacute Anteacuterieur 163

Creating the Passeacute Simple163Regular verbs163Most irregular verbs 164Irregular stem verbs with regular endings166Completely irregular 167

Creating the Passeacute Anteacuterieur167Answer Key 169

Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional Tenses 171

Chapter 15 Moving Forward with the Future Tense 173Forming the Future of Regular Verbs173Forming the Future of Spelling-Change Verbs 175Forming the Future of Irregular Verbs177Identifying the Differences between English and

French when Using the Future Tense178Expressing Yourself and Using References Future Style 179Answer Key 181

Chapter 16 Completing a Future Action with the Future Perfect 183Forming the Future Perfect183Using the Future Perfect Correctly 187Answer Key 189

Chapter 17 Could-ing and Would-ing with the Present Conditional Tense 191Forming the Conditional 191

Considering spelling-change -er verbs 193Creating the conditional with irregular verbs 194

Using the Conditional 195Being polite expressing a wish and offering suggestions196Wondering if The hypothetical 196Conditional with indirect discourse 197

Answer Key 198

xii French Verbs For Dummies

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page xii

Chapter 18 Trying the Past Conditional Tense Could Have and Would Have 201Creating the Past Conditional201Correctly Using the Past Conditional 203Answer Key 207

Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or Not209

Chapter 19 Creating the Present Subjunctive 211Forming the Present Subjunctive with Regular Verbs211Typically Irregular but Regular in the Subjunctive 213Looking At Stem Changers215Eyeing the Irregulars218Answer Key 221

Chapter 20 Knowing How to Use the Present Subjunctive223Expressing Wish Will Preference and Command 224Showing Emotion or Judgment 225Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty 227Showing Opinion Necessity and Possibility228Expressing Condition Time Concession and Consequence 229Considering Indefinite Doubtful and Subjective Antecedents 231Looking at Idiomatic Expressions and Commands232Answer Key 234

Chapter 21 Forming and Using the Past Subjunctive237Forming the Past Subjunctive237Using the Past Subjunctive 238Distinguishing between the Present and Past Subjunctive 239Answer Key 241

Part VI The Part of Tens 243

Chapter 22 Ten Verbs Used the French Way245Attendre (To Wait For) 245Chercher (To Look For)245Eacutecouter (To Listen To)246Payer (To Pay) 246Regarder (To Look At To Watch)246Demander (To Ask)246Obeacuteir (To Obey) 247Permettre (To Allow) 247Reacutepondre (To Answer) 247Teacuteleacutephoner (To Telephone To Call)247

Chapter 23 Ten Most Frequently Mixed-Up Verbs249Visiting a Place or Visiting a Person 249Spending Time or Spending Money 250Knowing People or Places or Knowing Something 250Playing a Game or Playing an Instrument 251Leaving or Leaving Something Behind 251

xiiiTable of Contents

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page xiii

Returning Home Returning Something or Just Returning 252Leading Bringing or Taking Someone 252Carrying Bringing Taking or Taking Back Something 253Thinking or Thinking About253Waiting or Attending254

Part VII Appendixes 255

Appendix A French-to-English Verb Glossary257

Appendix B English-to-French Verb Glossary263

Appendix C Conjugating Common Irregular Verbs269

Index 283

xiv French Verbs For Dummies

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page xiv

Introduction

Every day when speaking your native language you use verbs When you want to walk tothe store eat a pickle run away from a dog or even just be in the same room as your

pesky brother you use verbs You probably donrsquot even think about how you select the cor-rect verb and the correct tense However when yoursquore studying a new language thesechoices may not be quite as intuitive You need to know how to select the right tense andhow to conjugate verbs before you can correctly use them Thatrsquos where this book fits in

Whether you took French in high school or college are currently taking it or just knowenough to get you by French Verbs For Dummies can guide you in using verb tenses cor-rectly (If you have very little familiarity with French check out the ldquoFoolish Assumptionsrdquosection later in this Introduction to see whether this is really the book for you) The conciseand clear explanations in addition to the multiple examples in this book can eliminate anyguesswork and show you how to form the various tenses step by step Furthermore I clearlyexplain verb tenses and moods from the present indicative to the past subjunctive withample examples French Verbs For Dummies isnrsquot a textbook but a workbook where youhave a chance to practice the material in small doses At the end of each chapter I providean answer key so that you can check your answers as you go These answers can provideyou with the certainty and confidence that yoursquore using all the verbs correctly

So sit back and relax This book is no boring grammar class Itrsquos a fun and straightforwardway to use French verbs in order to greet people ask questions give orders provide expla-nations and express your wishes Ready Commenccedilons (Letrsquos begin)

About This BookI designed this book to make it as accessible as possible You can scan the Table of Contentsor the Index and choose the chapters that interest you the most Each chapter is self-contained with an introduction of the verb tense andor the verb mood as well as clearexplanations regarding the particular construction on which it focuses

This book provides clear explanations and examples from the onset mdash from the subject pronouns and forming hypothetical sentences to using the subjunctive correctly and confi-dently Yoursquore guided in distinguishing transitive from intransitive verbs in recognizing andusing the various verb moods such as indicative conditional and subjunctive and youbecome aware of the differences between using verbs in French and in English

Furthermore I divide each chapter into sections so that you can find the specific informa-tion you need followed by exercises which you can choose to do for practice The practicesections usually include fill-in-the-blank problems questions where I ask you to conjugatethe verbs in parentheses and translation sentences Then you can take a look at theanswer key at the end of each chapter to check your answers French Verbs For Dummiesguides you every step of the way toward the successful use of the backbone of any com-plete sentence the verb

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 1

Conventions Used in This BookIn order to make this book easy to use I use the following conventions

In order for you to easily identify the French I boldface all French words includingthe complete sentences in the examples French verbs when they appear bythemselves and the French verb endings when I show you how to conjugate theverbs

I italicize all the English translations that follow the French terms

Verb conjugations appear in verb tables I boldface each verb ending to empha-size it

In the Answer Key I provide English translations for all the problems (even whenI donrsquot ask you to provide the translation) to help you better understand the sen-tence These translations are in italics

In the Answer Key some practice problems may have more than one correctanswer I provide the most common answer in those instances

Before each series of practice problems I provide a sample question in a Q-and-Aformat so that you can see how to answer those questions

Foolish AssumptionsWhen writing this book I made the following assumptions about you my dear reader

You took French classes way back when and you remember very little but youwant to get a refresher on your verbs

You want to gather the bits and pieces and assemble them and apply them toregular normal everyday conversation

You have taken quite a few years of French but yoursquore still having difficulty dis-tinguishing between the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute (or some other verbtense thatrsquos giving you headaches)

You finally want to demystify and master the subjunctive

If any of these assumptions apply to you then French Verbs For Dummies is for you

However if yoursquove never taken a French course or know very little I suggest that youfirst start with French For Dummies by Dodi-Katrin Schmidt Michelle M Williams andDominique Wenzel (Wiley) or consider enrolling in an introductory French class

How This Book Is OrganizedFrench Verbs For Dummies is divided into parts starting with the very basic presentindicative tense and ending with the Appendixes Each part has multiple chaptersthat expand on the general topic of the specific part

2 French Verbs For Dummies

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 2

Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present IndicativeThis part introduces the subject pronouns and gives some basic verb informationFurthermore it introduces and conjugates the present tense of regular verbsspelling-change verbs irregular verbs and pronominal verbs This part also intro-duces the present participle and gerund

Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and SuchIn this part I show you how to ask and answer questions give commands and goanywhere in or out of town and then come back I also cover some verbs that you can use in common expressions that have a different meaning in French

Part III Taking a Look Back The Past TensesThis part introduces forms and explains the uses of the imperfect passeacute composeacuteand pluperfect tenses of regular irregular and pronominal verbs It also explains thedifference between the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute in order to describe pastevents and actions Also included in this part are two literary past tenses the passeacutesimple and the passeacute anteacuterieur

Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional TensesIn this part I show you how to form and use the future the future perfect the condi-tional and past conditional tenses I also explain how to make polite requests andform hypothetical sentences

Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or NotThis part looks at forming the present and past subjunctive of regular irregular andpronominal verbs It also explains step by step when and how to use the subjunctivewith certain verbs verbal expressions and conjunctions

Part VI The Part of TensConsisting of two chapters this part gathers the top tens in French verbs ten verbsused the French way and the ten most frequently mixed-up verbs

3Introduction

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 3

Part VII AppendixesThe appendixes enable you to see at a glance all the various verb conjugationstogether It starts off with a French-to-English verb glossary (Appendix A) an English-to-French verb glossary (Appendix B) and finishes with Appendix C for irregularverbs

Icons Used in This BookAs in every For Dummies book I use icons to help you find specific information Iplace them on the left-hand margin throughout the book The icons are

When you see this bulls-eye you know Irsquom pointing out tips to help you grasp a spe-cific concept

The Remember icon indicates that you need to put this little tidbit in the back of yourmind Irsquom telling you something important about the verb or verb conjugation

I use the Example icon in front of an example that demonstrates the format of a concept

The Practice icon tells you that itrsquos time for you to start the practice exercises Getyour pencils and pens ready

Where to Go from HereThe best thing about French Verbs For Dummies is that you can take a look at theTable of Contents and choose the chapter in which yoursquore interested or you needmore practice Now take a chance and just give it a try Only you know what you donrsquotknow Just pick a chapter and go at your own pace Remember Irsquom with you everystep of the way

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 4

Part ILiving in the Here and Now

The Present Indicative

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 5

In this part

The present indicative is a mood of fact of somethingthat is happening Itrsquos a simple tense that tells you

about something that exists in the present in the here andnow In this part I cover the present tense including itsthree distinct meanings in English For example je parlemeans I speak I am speaking and I do speak All threemeanings are possible for all verbs in the present indicativetense In Chapter 2 I focus on regular present tense verbsIn Chapter 3 I delve into spelling-change verbs Chapter 4jumps into irregular (but still fun) present tense verbsIn Chapter 5 I explain pronominal verbs Knowing the conjugation of verbs in the present indicative can help youform other tenses such as the imperfect the subjunctiveand the present participle And finally in Chapter 6 if yoursquorehaving trouble with present participles or gerunds thischapter can help

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 6

Chapter 1

Verbs 101 The Lowdown on VerbsIn This Chapter Looking at and classifying verbs

Identifying transitive and intransitive verbs

Considering mood

Recognizing the tenses

Eyeing pronouns

Whether yoursquore speaking English German Spanish or French (just to mention a fewlanguages) a verb is an important word that indicates an action (for example Je

parle means I am speaking I speak and I do speak) or a state of being (for example Je suisoptimiste means I am optimistic) The verb is an essential component in a sentence becausethe sentence is incomplete without it Verbs are the only words that change their forms inorder to indicate the present the future and the past A verb can also have several comple-ments or provide further information It can be followed by a noun an adverb a prepositionor a clause It can also be followed by another verb which is always in the infinitive form

This chapter looks at the verb basics I classify verbs show how those classifications affectthe way you use a verb explain how mood impacts verbs and look at the different verbtenses This chapter can answer any quick questions you have about verbs before I go intothe specifics in each chapter

Identifying the Four Main Verb TypesA good way to remember various verb conjugations is by classifying the verbs For exampleif a verb is regular check to see whether its infinitive ends in -er -ir or -re This ending canhelp you follow a set pattern in conjugating the verb Remember if you know how to conju-gate one verb in each of the three groups of regular verbs then you know how to conjugatehundreds of verbs The following four classifications help you identify the type of verb andenable you to conjugate it correctly

Regular verbs These verbs shouldnrsquot cause any undue stress They follow the regularconjugation rules for -er -ir and -re verbs which are the three groups of regular verbs(Check out Chapter 2 for the lowdown on present-tense regular verbs)

Spelling-change verbs When studying French verbs you encounter some verbs thatundergo spelling changes This spelling change happens for many reasons One reasonis to enable you to pronounce a mute e as in the verbs appeler (to call) and jeter (tothrow) which double their consonants (l or t) after the mute e For other verbs youadd an accent grave to the e so it becomes egrave as in the verb acheter (to buy) Otherverbs are affected because of the pronunciation of the consonant mdash specifically g andc (Flip to Chapter 3 for more on spelling-change verbs)

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 7

Irregular verbs With these verbs you need to keep on your toes They have anirregular conjugation and donrsquot follow a specific pattern like regular verbs do(See Chapter 4 for more on these irregular verbs)

Pronominal verbs These include reflexive verbs and you use these verbs whenyou do something to yourself The action reflects back to the subject of the sentence For example Je me brosse les dents means I brush my teeth Otherpronominal verbs include reciprocal verbs where two or more people do theaction onto themselves For example Ils srsquoeacutecrivent means They write to eachother Some idiomatic expressions also use pronominal verbs For example Nousnous entendons bien means We get along well The one thing that all these verbshave in common is the addition of pronominal pronouns that correspond to thesubject pronouns (Check out Chapter 5 for more on pronominal verbs)

Classifying VerbsClassifying a verb as a particular verb type can help you conjugate the verb correctlyevery time Look at the ending of its infinitive form Does the infinitive end in an -er -ir or -re Does it end in a -cer or a -ger Is the verb a spelling-change verb Is theinfinitive preceded by a pronominal pronoun (The answers to all these questions are answered in Chapters 2 3 and 4 where I give you specific examples of conjuga-tion patterns followed by a list of verbs that follow that exact pattern) Anotherimportant way to classify verbs is to determine whether theyrsquore transitive or intransi-tive In order to do so determine whether theyrsquore followed by a preposition or by adirect object

This section looks a bit closer at how you classify verbs specifically noting whether averb is transitive or intransitive as well as the different ways they are used in Englishand in French

Contrasting transitive and intransitive verbsKnowing whether a verb is transitive or intransitive enables you to use the verb cor-rectly every time It guides you in using a preposition after the verb or in eliminatingthe preposition altogether Furthermore the identification between a transitive andan intransitive verb also facilitates the choice between the auxiliaries avoir (to have)or ecirctre (to be) in the compound past tenses In this section I show you how to telltransitive and intransitive verbs apart

Transitive verbs are followed be a direct object rather than a preposition They takeavoir as their auxiliary in the compound past tenses

Je regarde la teacuteleacutevision (I am watching television)

Ils aiment leurs enfants (They love their children)

An intransitive verb isnrsquot followed by a direct object Often itrsquos followed by a preposi-tion or nothing at all

Je monte (I am going upstairs)

Nous passons devant la bibliothegraveque (We are passing in front of the library)

8 Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present Indicative

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 8

You must be aware of verbs that may be transitive in French but intransitive inEnglish and vice versa For example in French the verb to answer is intransitivebecause it must be followed by the preposition agrave as in Je reacuteponds agrave la questionHowever in English you say I answer the question and therefore to answer is transi-tive in English

As another example in English you say I listen to the radio This sentence indicatesthat the verb to listen to is an intransitive verb in English because it isnrsquot followed by adirect object but by the preposition to In French however Jrsquoeacutecoute la radio indi-cates that the verb eacutecouter is a transitive verb because itrsquos followed by a directobject Keep an eye out for the potentially tricky verbs in Table 1-1 and Table 1-2

Table 1-1 Comparing Transitive to IntransitiveTransitive in French Intransitive in English

attendre to wait forJrsquoattends le bus I am waiting for the bus

chercher to look forJe cherche le livre I am looking for the book

eacutecouter to listen toJrsquoeacutecoute le professeur I am listening to the professor

payer to pay for somethingJe paie les provisions I am paying for the groceries

Table 1-2 Comparing Intransitive to TransitiveIntransitive in French Transitive in English

demander agrave to ask someoneJe demande de lrsquoargent agrave mon pegravere I ask my dad for money

obeacuteir agrave to obey someoneLes enfants obeacuteissent agrave leurs parents The children obey their parents

renoncer agrave to give up somethingTu renonces agrave la teacuteleacutevision You are giving up television

ressembler agrave to resemble someoneIl ressemble agrave sa megravere He resembles his mother

assister agrave to attend an eventNous assistons au concert We are attending the concert

Following up with a prepositionMost French intransitive verbs are followed by the preposition agrave which can mean toin or at When the preposition agrave is followed by a definite article plus a noun (le forthe masculine singular la for the feminine singular lrsquo for masculine and femininenouns that begin with a vowel or a mute h and les for masculine and feminine pluralnouns) two contractions are made Table 1-3 explains these two contractions

9Chapter 1 Verbs 101 The Lowdown on Verbs

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Table 1-3 Combining Definite Articles with the Preposition agravePreposition + Article Combination Example

agrave + le au Je reacuteponds au professeur (Irsquom answeringthe professor)

agrave + la agrave la Je reacuteponds agrave la question (Irsquom answeringthe question)

agrave + lrsquo agrave lrsquo Je reacuteponds agrave lrsquoeacutetudiant (Irsquom answering thestudent)

agrave + les aux Je reacuteponds aux questions (Irsquom answeringthe questions)

Notice that the only combinations that contract are agrave + le which becomes au and agrave +les which becomes aux The same types of transformations occur with the preposi-tion de which means of about or from as Table 1-4 indicates

Table 1-4 Combining Definite Articles with the Preposition dePreposition + Article Combination Example

de + le du Il vient du cineacutema (Hersquos coming [back]from the movies)

de + la de la ll vient de la librairie (Hersquos coming [back]from the bookstore)

de + lrsquo de lrsquo Il vient de lrsquoeacutepicerie (Hersquos coming [back]from the grocery store)Il vient de lrsquohocirctel (Hersquos coming [back] fromthe hotel)

de + les des Il vient des champs (Hersquos coming [back]from the fields)

Identify the transitive and intransitive verbs in the following questions If the verb isintransitive add the preposition agrave and make any necessary contractions with the defi-nite article If itrsquos transitive leave it alone

Q Tu renonces _________________ chocolat (You are giving up chocolate)

A Tu renonces au chocolat

1 Nous eacutecoutons _________________ la radio (We listen to the radio)

2 Ils ressemblent _________________ leur megravere (They resemble their mother)

3 Jrsquoobeacuteis _________________ mes grands-parents (I obey my grandparents)

4 Vous attendez _________________ le train (You waitare waiting for the train)

5 Tu cherches _________________ tes cleacutes (You are looking for your keys)

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6 Nous assistons _________________ match de football (We attendare attending a soccergame)

7 Je reacuteponds _________________ mes amis (I answer my friends)

8 Tu paies _________________ tes achats (You payare paying for your purchases)

9 Elle demande _________________ ses amis de sortir (She asks her friends to go out)

10 Nous renoncons _________________ la glace (We give upare giving up ice cream)

Linking Auxiliary Impersonal and Helping Verbs Oh My

Verbs have many different functions Besides being the core of a sentence verbs dic-tate what you need to bring a sentence to its conclusion They can be followed byanother verb a noun a pronoun an adjective a preposition or a clause Some verbslink the subject to nouns pronouns or adjectives Auxiliary verbs help form all com-pound past tenses in French Some verbs exist only in the impersonal il (it) form andothers help emphasize and support the infinitive Oh the versatility of verbs

Linking everything togetherSome verbs are linking verbs which means that they link the subject to the noun tothe pronoun or to the adjective These verbs include ecirctre (to be) paraicirctre (toappear) sembler or avoir lrsquoair (to seem) devenir (to become) and rester (to stay)

Il a lrsquoair fatiqueacute (He seems tired)

Elle est avocate (She is a lawyer)

Focusing on the auxiliariesThe French language has two main auxiliary verbs avoir (to have) and ecirctre (to be)You use them along with past participles to form all compound past tenses in FrenchCheck out Part III for more on the past tenses and how to use these auxiliaries

Eyeing the impersonalsImpersonal verbs are the ones that exist only in the third person masculine singular(il) form In this form the subject pronoun is always translated as it in English Theseverbs include expressions like il faut (it is necessary) il srsquoagit de (it is about) il pleut(it is raining) il neige (it is snowing) and il fait used for weather Examples include ilfait beau (it is nice out) il fait froid (it is cold) and il fait chaud (it is hot) FurthermoreFrench has many impersonal expressions many of which use ecirctre (to be) and are fol-lowed by the subjunctive tense like il est important que (it is important that) il estpossible que (it is possible that) il est neacutecessaire que (it is necessary that) and so onLook at Chapter 19 for a list of these expressions

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 11

Lending a helping handSome verbs are semi-auxiliaries That means that they are helping verbs to the mainverb which is in the infinitive form These verbs include pouvoir (to be able to)vouloir (to want to) devoir (to have to) aller (to go) faire (to do to make) andlaisser (to leave mdash as in leave it alone or let it be)

Watching Your MoodVerbs are divided into various moods Linguistically the mood of a verb is a way ofexpressing oneself or a way of speaking A mood shows the speakerrsquos attitude towardan event The French language has seven such moods that are divided into two cate-gories personal moods and impersonal moods

Making it personalThe verbs in the personal moods are conjugated in order to correspond to the subjectpronouns These are divided into four groups

The indicative mood (which is the mood thatrsquos used most often) indicates thatthe speaker is talking about a fact or something thatrsquos happening will happenor has happened (See Parts I II and III for more on the conjugations of the vari-ous tenses of the indicative mood)

The subjunctive mood (which you use more often in French than in English) isthe mood of doubt uncertainty emotion will and command (See Chapters 1920 and 21 for more details on the present and past subjunctive)

The imperative mood expresses an order a request or a directive The impera-tive mood uses the present tense of most verbs and the conjugations of the fol-lowing three subject pronouns tu nous and vous However you never use thesubject pronouns in an imperative construction (See Chapter 8 for the forma-tions and use of the imperatives or commands)

The conditional mood appears in a hypothetical sentence where you place theconditional form of the verb in the result clause For example you may say Sijrsquoavais de lrsquoargent je voyagerais (If I had money I would travel) You may alsouse the conditional to make polite requests or suggestions (See Chapters 17 and18 for more on the present and past conditional tenses as well as the hypotheticalsentences)

Donrsquot take it so personally The impersonal moodUnlike the personal moods the impersonal mood verbs arenrsquot conjugated becausethey donrsquot correspond to any particular subject pronoun These impersonal moodverbs include the infinitive the gerund and the participle The infinitive mood isoften used as a noun An example is in the French saying Vouloir crsquoest pouvoirwhich translates to Where therersquos a will therersquos a way Literally it means To want tois to be able to The gerund can be used as an adverb like it is in the sentence Onreacuteussit agrave la vie en travaillant dur meaning One succeeds in life by working hardThe participle can be used as an adjective as in the example Les devoirs finis ils ontjoueacute au basket which means Once the homework was finished they played basketball

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 12

Categorizing the TensesTense means time and verbs change their forms in order to tell present past orfuture time Verbs have two parts the stem and the endings that specify time moodand person

French has two types of verbs

Simple verbs A simple verb is formed when a verb is conjugated by itself with-out an auxiliary Itrsquos composed of a stem to which you add endings The presentthe imperfect the passeacute simple the future the present conditional and the pres-ent subjunctive are all simple tenses

Elle partira bientocirct (She will leave soon)

Compound tenses You construct these verbs with an auxiliary either avoir (tohave) or ecirctre (to be) plus the past participle of any verb you wish The passeacutecomposeacute the pluperfect the passeacute anteacuterieur the future perfect the past condi-tional and the past subjunctive are all compound tenses

Vous avez teacuteleacutephoneacute hier (You called yesterday)

Poring Over PronounsEvery conjugated verb corresponds to a subject that makes a sentence complete Thesubject can be a person a thing or an idea You can see the subject pronoun classifi-cations in Table 1-5

Table 1-5 Subject Pronoun ClassificationsSubject Pronoun Classification Singular Subject Pronouns Plural Subject Pronouns

First Person je (I) nous (we)

Second Person tu (you) vous (you)

Third Person ilelleon (hesheit or one) ilselles (they)

When a verb begins with a vowel or a mute h drop the e from je and add an apostrophe

Jrsquoaime (I like I love)

Jrsquohabite (I live)

Remember that you never drop the u in tu (you) or the e in elle (she) before a vowelor a mute h Instead you say Tu aimes (You like You love) and Tu habites (You live)Tu and vous both mean you and as you can see from Table 1-5 tu is singular whereasvous is plural But as you probably already know vous can also refer to one personwhen itrsquos formal You use tu with people you know well like family members peersand children You use vous with someone you donrsquot know well with someone who isolder and with a superior like your boss your teacher or your supervisor Note thateven when vous refers to one person you always conjugate the verb in the plural Inother words the conjugation of vous doesnrsquot change even if it refers to one personGrammatically you always conjugate it in the second person plural

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 13

On is a subject pronoun that has several meanings In the sentence On parle franccedilaisau Canada the word on can mean one we or they so you translate the sentenceOneWeThey speak French in Canada Whatever the meaning conjugate on in thethird person singular

Il is a masculine subject pronoun that can replace a person or a thing and it meanshe or it For example Pierre est heureux means Pierre is happy You can replacePierre with il and it means He is happy The same concept applies with a thing Levent souffle means The wind is blowing You can replace le vent with the subject pro-noun il which means It is blowing

The same applies to elle which replaces a feminine singular noun For example youcan say Anne est avocate (Anne is a lawyer) or Elle est avocate (She is a lawyer) Inthe sentence La voiture est sale (The car is dirty) you can replace voiture with ellebecause itrsquos feminine singular Elle est sale means It is dirty

Again the same is true of the plurals ils and elles They can refer to people or things

Les inviteacutes sont arriveacutes (The guests have arrived) Ils sont arriveacutes (They havearrived)

Les livres sont chers (The books are expensive) Ils sont chers (They are expensive)

Les filles sont jeunes (The girls are young) Elles sont jeunes (They are young)

Les catheacutedrales sont impreacutessionantes (The cathedrals are impressive) Elles sontimpreacutessionantes (They are impressive)

Change the following boldfaced subjects into their corresponding subject pronounsWrite your answer in the blank at the end of the sentence

Q Ceacuteline est charmante (Ceacuteline is charming)

A Elle est charmante (She is charming)

11 Eric et Mathieu jouent au football (Eric and Mathieu play soccer) _________________

12 Anne et moi aimons la cuisine franccedilaise (Anne and I like French cuisine)_________________

13 Sylvie chante bien (Sylvie sings well) _________________

14 Meacutelanie et Sarah aiment le chocolat (Meacutelanie and Sarah like chocolate)_________________

15 Benjamin parle japonais (Benjamin speaks Japanese) _________________

16 Alexandre et Sophie invitent leurs amis (Alexandre and Sophie invite their friends)_________________

17 Olivier travaille dans une banque (Olivier works in a bank) _________________

18 Heacutelegravene et Antoine partent en vacances (Heacutelegravene and Antoine are leaving for vacation)_________________

19 Claire habite agrave Bordeaux (Claire lives in Bordeaux) _________________

20 Suzanne et Margot sont de bonnes amies (Suzanne and Margot are good friends)_________________

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Answer KeyThis section includes the answers from the practice problems in this chapter Look atthe correct answers and compare your answers

a Nous eacutecoutons la radio (We listen to the radio)

b Ils ressemblent agrave leur megravere (They resemble their mother)

c Jrsquoobeacuteis agrave mes grands-parents (I obey my grandparents)

d Vous attendez le train (You waitare waiting for the train)

e Tu cherches tes cleacutes (You are looking for your keys)

f Nous assistons au match de football (We attendare attending a soccer game)

g Je reacuteponds agrave mes amis (I answer my friends)

h Tu paies tes achats (You payare paying for your purchases)

i Elle demande agrave ses amis de sortir (She asks her friends to go out)

j Nous renoncons agrave la glace (We give upare giving up ice cream)

k Ils jouent au football (They play soccer)

l Nous aimons la cuisine franccedilaise (We like French cuisine)

m Elle chante bien (She sings well)

n Elles aiment le chocolat (They like chocolate)

o Il parle japonais (He speaks Japanese)

p Ils invitent leurs amis (They invite their friends)

q Il travaille dans une banque (He works in a bank)

r Ils partent en vacances (They are leaving for vacation)

s Elle habite agrave Bordeaux (She lives in Bordeaux)

t Elles sont de bonnes amies (They are good friends)

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Chapter 2

Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense

In This Chapter Categorizing French verbs

Creating present-tense -er -ir and -re verbs

Including adverbs

Making complete sentences

In French you use the present tense in everyday conversation In fact itrsquos the buildingblock in forming sentences and expressing thoughts You use the present tense to com-

municate things that are happening in your life your job and the world around you in thehere and now You also use the present tense to express ongoing actions in the present andto emphasize actions

The present tense in French has three different meanings in English For example Je parlemeans not only I speak but also I am speaking and I do speak You can also use the presenttense to express actions that you repeat over and over again For instance Nous travaillonsle samedi means We work on Saturdays meaning that we work every Saturday and thereforeit expresses habitual action in the present In French the present tense is important becausethe stem of other tenses such as the imperfect and the subjunctive are derived from it

In this chapter I focus on conjugating this basic building block mdash the present tense I firstbriefly classify the three regular types of verbs and then I show you how to conjugate eachone Finally I throw in some adverbs to help you make complete (and interesting) sentences

Classifying Regular Present-Tense VerbsThe French language classifies verbs into different categories to make them easier to conju-gate For example if you know the conjugation of one verb then you can conjugate manyverbs of the same type effortlessly because they follow the same pattern Verbs are classi-fied according to the endings of their infinitive All French verb infinitives end in -er -ir -reor -oir However within those four categories are regular and irregular verbs This chapterfocuses on the regular ones

French has three groups of regular verbs

Verbs whose infinitive ends in -er like parler (to speak)

Verbs whose infinitive ends in -ir like finir (to finish)

Verbs whose infinitive ends in -re like vendre (to sell)

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The next three sections focus on each individual group of regular verbs If you canmaster the conjugation of regular verbs yoursquoll be able to express yourself in everydaysituations When you speak to your friends when you wait for the train when youbuy groceries or when you visit your relatives you use common regular present-tense verbs

Looking At -er VerbsThe -er verbs are the most common group of French verbs But knowing this interest-ing bit of trivia canrsquot help you correctly conjugate these verbs Donrsquot worry mdash in thissection I show you how to conjugate the present tense of -er verbs This informationcan help you conjugate hundreds of -er verbs

The verb parler (to speak) serves as an example in this group Take parler and dropthe -er which leaves you with the stem (parl-) Then add the appropriate ending (-e -es -e -ons -ez or -ent) depending on the subject pronoun For example if you start asentence with je (I) and you have an -er verb you need the -e ending

Use the following table to correctly conjugate a regular present tense -er verb

Regular Present Tense -er Verb Endings

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

ilelleon -e ilselles -ent

The present-tense conjugations for a regular -er verb such as parler (to speak) are asfollows

parler (to speak)

je parle nous parlons

tu parles vous parlez

ilelleon parle ilselles parlent

Je parle franccedilais (I speak French I am speaking French or I do speak French)

This pattern applies to all regular -er verbs Table 2-1 lists some common -er verbsthat you may encounter in everyday life when speaking French (You can also checkout Appendix A for more regular -er verbs)

Table 2-1 Common Regular -er Verbs-er Verb Translation

adorer to adore

aimer to like to love

arriver to arrive

chanter to sing

chercher to look for

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 18

-er Verb Translation

danser to dance

demander to ask

eacutecouter to listen to

enseigner to teach

eacutetudier to study

habiter to live (somewhere)

jouer to play

jouer agrave to play a sport or game

jouer de to play an instrument

marcher to walk

regarder to watchlook at

rencontrer to meet

teacuteleacutephoner to call

tomber to fall

travailler to work

trouver to find

visiter to visit (a place not people)

If the verb begins with a vowel or a mute h drop the e of je and add an apostropheFor example jrsquoaime (I likelove) or jrsquohabite (I live) However the u in tu is neverdropped so you still have tu aimes or tu habites And donrsquot forget that the presenttense has three different meanings in English Je chante means I sing I do sing andI am singing

Now itrsquos your turn In each blank provide the correct conjugation of the verbs inparentheses In the example and the following questions use the corresponding end-ings for each subject pronoun (I provide an English translation in the answers)

Q Tu _________________ (aimer) le theacuteacirctre

A Tu aimes le theacuteacirctre (You like the theater)

1 Mon pegravere _________________ (travailler)

2 Nous _________________ (jouer) au tennis

3 Le chœur _________________ (chanter)

4 Ils _________________ (habiter) agrave Boston

5 Tu _________________ (chercher) les billets

6 Les enfants _________________ (regarder) la teacuteleacutevision

7 Jrsquo _________________ (adorer) le chocolat

19Chapter 2 Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 19

8 Ma megravere _________________ (eacutecouter) la radio

9 Nous _________________ (eacutetudier) le franccedilais

10 Mes amis _________________ (chercher) un appartement

Focusing On -ir VerbsThe second group of French verbs the -ir verbs is just as easy to form in the presentas the -er verbs You donrsquot have to be a native to figure out these conjugations The -irverbs can help you choose (choisir) succeed (reacuteussir) and even grow old gracefully(vieillir)

To form the present tense for -ir verbs simply drop the final r of the infinitive and addthe following endings to the stem

Regular Present Tense -ir Verb Endings

je -s nous -ssons

tu -s vous -ssez

ilelleon -t ilselles -ssent

The present-tense conjugations for a regular -ir verb such as finir (to finish) are as follows

finir (to finish)

je finis nous finissons

tu finis vous finissez

ilelleon finit ilselles finissent

Je finis mes devoirs (I finish my homework I am finishing my homework I do finish my homework)

Table 2-2 lists some common -ir verbs you may encounter when speaking FrenchNo matter what verb you choose from this list take it and try out the present tenseconjugation

Table 2-2 Common Regular -ir Verbs-ir Verb Translation

applaudir to applaud

bacirctir to build

choisir to choose

eacutetablir to establish

finir to finish

grandir to grow (up)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 20

-ir Verb Translation

grossir to gain weight

maigrir to lose weight

obeacuteir agrave to obey

pacirclir to turn pale

punir to punish

reacuteagir to react

reacutefleacutechir agrave to reflect to think (about)

remplir to fill

reacuteunir to unite to gather to assemble to meet

reacuteussir (agrave) to succeed (in)to pass a test

vieillir to grow old

If yoursquore ready to try for yourself check out the example and then move on to thequestions that follow In the first blank for each question write the correct conju-gated form of the verb in parentheses

Q Les enfants _________________ (grandir)

A Les enfants grandissent (Children grow up)

11 Il _________________ (grossir)

12 Nous _________________ (applaudir)

13 On _________________ (obeacuteir) aux lois (the laws)

14 Tu _________________ (choisir) le champagne

15 Les ingeacutenieurs _________________ (bacirctir) un pont

16 Je _________________ (reacutefleacutechir)

17 Vous _________________ (pacirclir)

18 Nous _________________ (reacuteunir) les piegraveces du puzzle

19 Les enfants _________________ (finir) leurs devoirs

20 Tu _________________ (reacuteussir)

Trying -re VerbsThe third and final group of regular verbs is the -re group This verb form is also easyto conjugate Just drop the -re from the infinitive and add the appropriate endings tothe stem The following conjugation chart shows what I mean

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 21

Regular Present Tense -re Verb Endings

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

ilelleon (nothing) ilselles -ent

You donrsquot add any endings to the third person singular il elle or on The stem isenough For example il attend means he waits hersquos waiting or he does wait

The present tense conjugations for a regular -re verb such as vendre (to sell) are asfollows

vendre (to sell)

je vends nous vendons

tu vends vous vendez

ilelleon vend ilselles vendent

Je vends la maison (I sell the house Irsquom selling the house I do sell the house)

Table 2-3 provides some more examples of common -re verbs that are conjugatedexactly like vendre

Table 2-3 Common Regular -re Verbs-re Verbs Translation

attendre to wait for

descendre to go down (the stairs)

entendre to hear

fondre to melt

pendre to hang

perdre to lose to waste time

rendre to give back to return

rendre visite agrave quelqursquoun to pay a visit to someone (to visit someone)

reacutepondre agrave to answer

Conjugate the -re verbs in parentheses I show you how in the example (I give you atranslation in the answer to help you out)

Q Je _________________ (attendre)

A Jrsquoattends (I wait I am waiting I do wait)

21 Nous _________________ (reacutepondre) aux questions

22 Tu _________________ (pendre) les vecirctements

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 22

23 La neige _________________ (fondre) lentement

24 Je _________________ (rendre) visite agrave ma tante

25 Ils _________________ (entendre) les cloches

26 Franccediloise _________________ (descendre)

27 Le professeur _________________ (rendre) les compositions

28 Tu _________________ (perdre) ton temps

29 Vous _________________ (attendre) vos amis

30 Les eacutetudiants _________________ (vendre) leur livre

Modifying Actions with AdverbsYou can make all the verbs in this chapter more interesting by adding adverbs andplacing them after the verb To add an adverb to a sentence just conjugate the verband place an adverb after it Think of how you can do something frequently oftensometimes rarely and so on

Il parle constamment (He is constantly talking or he talks constantly)

Table 2-4 provides some of the more commonly used adverbs with the present tense

Table 2-4 Present-Tense AdverbsAdverb Translation

absolument absolutely

assez enough

attentivement attentively

beaucoup a lot

bien well

constamment constantly

facilement easily

freacutequemment frequently

lentement slowly

mal poorly badly

parfois at times

peu little

quelquefois sometimes

rarement rarely

(continued)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 23

Table 2-4 (continued)Adverb Translation

seacuterieusement seriously

souvent often

toujours always

trop too much

vite quickly

vraiment truly

Itrsquos your turn Find and conjugate the French verb correctly and add the appropriateadverb after you consult the English translation just like in the example

Q Federer __________________________________ au tennis (Federer plays tennis well)

A Federer joue bien au tennis

31 Lrsquoeacutetudiant __________________________________ (The student listens attentively)

32 Mon fregravere __________________________________ (My brother studies little)

33 Je __________________________________ (I go down the stairs quickly)

34 Nous __________________________________ ce restaurant (We often choose thisrestaurant)

35 Les ouvriers __________________________________ (The workers work too much)

36 Ma sœur __________________________________ (My sister talks constantly)

37 Tu __________________________________ (You hear well)

38 Ma collegravegue __________________________________ la radio (My colleague always listens to the radio)

39 Je __________________________________ agrave mes messages (I sometimes answer my messages)

40 Ils __________________________________ en retard (They rarely finish late)

Forming Sentences Word by WordWhen forming sentences identifying the type of verb yoursquore using is important Lookat the ending of the regular verb Is it an -er -ir or -re verb The answer is importantbecause it allows you to follow a specific pattern After you determine what type ofverb you have then you conjugate it the same way as one of the example verbs inthis chapter If itrsquos an -er verb conjugate it like parler an -ir verb conjugate it likefinir or an -re verb conjugate it like vendre

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 24

Make sure that the verb endings correspond to the subject that you choose Rememberthat nous endings always end in -ons vous in -ez and ilselles end in -ent for all regu-lar verbs After you check your subject and verb add an adverb of your choice andvoilagrave yoursquove formed a sentence

Put the following fragments into complete French sentences

Q Tureacuteussirtoujours

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Tu reacuteussis toujours (You always succeed)

41 Iljouerbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

42 Nousattendrefreacutequemment

__________________________________________________________________________________

43 Ilsperdrerarement

__________________________________________________________________________________

44 Elleeacutecouterattentivement

__________________________________________________________________________________

45 Tueacutetudierbeaucoup

__________________________________________________________________________________

46 Nousmangerassez

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Jechoisirbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

48 Ellesreacuteagirmal

__________________________________________________________________________________

49 Nousreacutepondreseacuterieusement

__________________________________________________________________________________

50 Tutravaillerconstamment

__________________________________________________________________________________

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 25

Answer KeyIn this section you can find the answers to all the practice problems in this chapter(Remember that the present tense in French has three different meanings in English)How did you do

a Mon pegravere travaille (My father is working)

b Nous jouons au tennis (We play tennis)

c Le chœur chante (The choir is singing)

d Ils habitent agrave Boston (They live in Boston)

e Tu cherches les billets (You are looking for the tickets)

f Les enfants regardent la teacuteleacutevision (The children are watching television)

g Jrsquoadore le chocolat (I adore chocolate)

h Ma megravere eacutecoute la radio (My mother listens to the radio)

i Nous eacutetudions le franccedilais (We study French)

j Mes amis cherchent un appartement (My friends are looking for an apartment)

k Il grossit (He is gaining weight)

l Nous applaudissons (We are applauding)

m On obeacuteit aux lois (OneWe obeysobey the laws)

n Tu choisis le champagne (You chooseare choosing the champagne)

o Les ingeacutenieurs bacirctissent un pont (The engineers are building a bridge)

p Je reacutefleacutechis (I am thinking)

q Vous pacirclissez (You are turning pale)

r Nous reacuteunissons les piegraveces du puzzle (We are gathering the pieces of the puzzle)

s Les enfants finissent leurs devoirs (The children are finishing their homework)

t Tu reacuteussis (You are succeeding)

u Nous reacutepondons aux questions (We answer the questions Literally We respond to thequestions)

v Tu pends les vecirctements (You hang up the clothes)

w La neige fond lentement (The snow melts slowly)

x Je rends visite agrave ma tante (I am visiting my aunt)

y Ils entendent les cloches (They hear the bells)

A Franccediloise descend (Franccediloise goes down [the stairs])

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 26

B Le professeur rend les compositions (The professor is handing back the compositions)

C Tu perds ton temps (You are wasting your time)

D Vous attendez vos amis (You are waiting for your friends)

E Les eacutetudiants vendent leur livre (The students sell their books)

F Lrsquoeacutetudiant eacutecoute attentivement (The student listens attentively)

G Mon fregravere eacutetudie peu (My brother studies little)

H Je descends vite (I go down the stairs quickly)

I Nous choisissons souvent ce restaurant (We often choose this restaurant)

J Les ouvriers travaillent trop (The workers work too much)

K Ma sœur parle constamment (My sister talks constantly)

L Tu entends bien (You hear well)

M Ma collegravegue eacutecoute toujours la radio (My colleague always listens to the radio)

N Je reacuteponds quelquefois agrave mes messages (I sometimes answer my messages)

O Ils finissent rarement en retard (They rarely finish late)

P Il joue bien (He plays well)

Q Nous attendons freacutequemment (We frequently wait)

R Ils perdent rarement (They rarely lose)

S Elle eacutecoute attentivement (She listens attentively)

T Tu eacutetudies beaucoup (You study a lot)

U Nous mangeons assez (We eat enough)

V Je choisis bien (I choose well)

W Elles reacuteagissent mal (They react badly)

X Nous reacutepondons seacuterieusement (We respond seriously)

Y Tu travailles constamment (You are constantly working)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 27

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 28

Chapter 3

Knowing How to Handle Spelling-Change Verbs

In This Chapter Trying out different spelling-change verbs

Making sentences with these verbs

Spelling-change verbs are common verbs that you use every day For instance whenyou buy (acheter) groceries when you call (appeler) someone or when you travel

(voyager) somewhere you use this type of verb Spelling-change verbs are similar to regular-er verbs but with a slight change in the stem For example verbs whose infinitives end in -ger or -cer require changes only in the first person plural (the nous form) Everything elseis regular Other verbs require an accent grave on the mute e or a double consonant afterthe mute e Donrsquot worry though in this chapter I show you these changes step by stepKeep in mind that no matter what the changes are the endings of all these verbs are those of regular -er verbs like parler (to speak) (Check out Chapter 2 for information about con-jugating regular verbs)

Taking a Stab at Spelling-Change VerbsWhen speaking French sometimes you encounter regular -er verbs that have a slight spellingchange Donrsquot worry about difficult spelling I donrsquot ask you to spell ldquohors-drsquooeuvrerdquo orldquoVersaillesrdquo in this section Instead this section focuses on the -er verbs that have spellingchanges within their conjugations I show you these changes but note that the endings ofthese verbs are the same as those of regular -er verbs

Managing -ger verbsThe verbs that end in -ger like manger (to eat) have a spelling change in the nous form onlyUnlike the regular -er verbs -ger verbs need to keep the e before the -ons in the nous formTo form the present tense drop the -er of the infinitive and add the following endings justlike you do for the regular -er verbs

Common Spelling Change for -ger Verb Endings

je -e nous -eons

tu -es vous -ez

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 29

As you may have noticed the only difference between -er and -ger verbs is in thenous form where you add the e before the ons This difference occurs because the eafter the g in front of an a o or u softens the pronunciation of the g which is pro-nounced like the s in the word pleasure If the e isnrsquot in front of ons then the g is pronounced like the g in the word guess

Check out the following example of the conjugation of manger (to eat)

manger (to eat)

je mange nous mangeons

tu manges vous mangez

ilelleon mange ilselles mangent

Je mange une salade (I eat a salad or I am eating a salad)

Table 3-1 provides you with a list of some common -ger verbs that have the same con-jugation as manger

Table 3-1 Common Spelling-Change VerbsVerb Translation

changer to change

meacutelanger to mix

nager to swim

obliger to oblige to force

partager to share

plonger to dive

voyager to travel

I provide a few practice problems for you Try conjugating these verbs

Q Nous _________________ (partager) le bureau

A Nous partageons le bureau (We share the office)

1 Tu _________________ (meacutelanger) les ingreacutedients

2 Nous _________________ (plonger)

3 Ils _________________ (voyager)

4 Elle _________________ (changer)

5 Nous _________________ (nager)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 30

Working with -cer verbsVerbs whose infinitive ends in -cer are similar to those whose infinitive ends in -ger(see the previous section) Both are conjugated exactly like regular -er verbs exceptfor the nous form The nous form of the -cer verbs requires a cedilla on the c (ccedil)These -cer verbs are also common everyday verbs When you want to begin some-thing (commencer) announce something (annoncer) influence someone(influencer) or make progress in something (avancer) you use -cer verbs

Notice that with the exception of the nous form the conjugation exactly matches theregular -er verbs (Check out Chapter 2 for details on how to conjugate a regular -erverb)

Common Spelling Change for -cer Verb Endings

je -e nous -ccedilons

tu -es vous -ez

Check out the following example of commencer (to begin)

commencer (to begin)

je commence nous commenccedilons

tu commences vous commencez

ilelleon commence ilselles commencent

Je commence mon travail (I begin my work or I am beginning my work)

Now that you have an understanding of how to conjugate -cer verbs check outTable 3-2 for a list of some other useful -cer verbs

Table 3-2 Common -cer VerbsVerb Translation

annoncer to announce

avancer to advance to make progress

influencer to influence

lancer to throw

menacer to threaten

placer to place

remplacer to replace

Practice conjugating the verbs in parentheses

Q Il _________________ (influencer) ses amis

A Il influence ses amis (He influences his friends)

31Chapter 3 Knowing How to Handle Spelling-Change Verbs

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 31

6 Nous _________________ (avancer)

7 Je _________________ (annoncer) les prix

8 Ils _________________ (menacer) les enfants

9 Elle _________________ (remplacer) Paul

10 Vous _________________ (lancer) la balle

In these practice problems I put the -ger and -cer verbs together Conjugate the verbsin parentheses

11 Jean et Marie-Claire _________________ (annoncer) leurs fianccedilailles

12 Mon patron _________________ (voyager) en France

13 Nous _________________ (placer) nos affaires dans lrsquoarmoire

14 Mes parents _________________ (commencer) agrave apprendre le japonais

15 Je _________________ (nager) tregraves bien

16 Nous _________________ (partager) une bouteille de vin

17 Tu _________________ (changer) drsquoavis

18 Les eacutetudiants _________________ (avancer) en matheacutematiques

19 Le chat _________________ (menacer) la souris

20 Nous _________________ (manger) un grand repas le dimanche

Keeping an eye on the silent typesTwo other types of -er verbs have a mute or silent e in the infinitive In order to conju-gate these types of verbs you must pronounce the e in all but the nous and vousforms and therefore spelling changes occur in the rest of the conjugation for pho-netic reasons What do you do to the verb in order to pronounce the e You eitheradd an accent grave (`) to the e (egrave) or double the consonant after it Note that theendings of these verbs are like all regular -er verbs Just drop the -er from the infini-tive and stick to the endings in the following chart

Common Spelling-Change Verb Endings

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

First I begin with verbs to which you add the accent grave like acheter (to buy)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 32

acheter (to buy)

jrsquoachegravete nous achetons

tu achegravetes vous achetez

ilelleon achegravete ilselles achegravetent

Jrsquoachegravete des leacutegumes (I buy vegetables or I am buying vegetables)

You add the accent grave only to the entire singular and third person plural (je tuilelleon and ilselles) The nous and vous forms donrsquot have an accent grave NoteWhen you have an irregularity in the conjugation of a verb usually the nous and vousforms resemble the infinitive In other words the infinitive has no accent grave sothe nous and vous forms have no accent grave Notice also that the endings are thesame as regular -er verbs Check out Table 3-3 for other verbs like acheter

Table 3-3 Adding an Accent Grave (egrave) to the Mute eVerb Translation

amener to bring

geler to freeze

lever to raise

mener to lead to take along

peser to weigh

promener to take a person or a pet for a walk

se lever to get up to stand

se promener to take a stroll to take a walk

se lever and se promener are reflexive verbs see Chapter 5 for more information

See whether you can work through the following practice problems that help youwith this verb type

Q Elle _________________ (acheter) des fruits

A Elle achegravete des fruits (She buys fruit)

21 Ils _________________ (promener) le chien

22 Nous _________________ (geler)

23 Tu _________________ (peser) 60 kilos

24 Je _________________ (amener) mes enfants

25 Vous _________________ (lever) la main

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 33

Handling eacute verbsVerbs that have an eacute or e accent aigu in the second to the last syllable in their infini-tive also undergo changes The accent aigu (eacute) changes to an accent grave (egrave) in theentire singular and the third person plural (je tu ilelleon and ilselles) Note thatthe nous and vous forms donrsquot change and have the same accents as the infinitivesRemember that the endings are like the regular -er verbs (check out Chapter 2 to seehow to conjugate regular -er verbs)

espeacuterer (to hope)

jrsquoespegravere nous espeacuterons

tu espegraveres vous espeacuterez

ilelleon espegravere ilselles espegraverent

Jrsquoespegravere que tu vas bien (I hope yoursquore doing well)

Check out the list of verbs that are similar to espeacuterer in Table 3-4

Table 3-4 Changing the eacute to egraveVerb Translation

ceacuteder to give up to yield

exageacuterer to exaggerate

preacutefeacuterer to prefer

proteacuteger to protect

reacutepeacuteter to repeat

suggeacuterer to suggest

Note The first eacute in the verbs preacutefeacuterer and reacutepeacuteter never changes the second eacute changes to egrave in all the sub-ject pronouns except for nous and vous

Try conjugating verbs that have an eacute in the following exercise

Q Il _________________ (ceacuteder) sa place

A Il cegravede sa place (He gives up his seat)

26 Je _________________ (preacutefeacuterer) la soupe

27 Les eacutetudiants _________________ (reacutepeacuteter)

28 Tu _________________ (exageacuterer)

29 Nous _________________ (proteacuteger) les petits chats (the kittens)

30 Elles _________________ (espeacuterer)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 34

Figuring out -eter and -eler verbsSome verbs that end in -eter and -eler double the t or l after the mute e (except withnous and vous) in order to pronounce the e The endings are the same as those ofregular -er verbs

See the following example of jeter (to throw)

jeter (to throw)

je jette nous jetons

tu jettes vous jetez

ilelleon jette ilselles jettent

Je jette la balle (I throw the ball or I am throwing the ball)

For a list of some of the more common types of these verbs check out Table 3-5

Table 3-5 Common -eter and -eler VerbsVerb Translation

appeler to call

eacutepeler to spell

rappeler to call back

rejeter to reject

srsquoappeler to be called (to be named)

se rappeler to remember

Refer to Chapter 5 for more on these pronominal verbs

Take the time to work on these practice problems and perfect your use of -eter and -eler verbs

Q Je _________________ (rejeter) lrsquoideacutee

A Je rejette lrsquoideacutee (I reject the idea)

31 Nous _________________ (eacutepeler) notre nom

32 Ils _________________ (rejeter) la proposition

33 Tu _________________ (appeler) le docteur

34 Vous _________________ (jeter) des cailloux

35 Je _________________ (rappeler) mes enfants

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 35

Dotting the i in -yer verbsThe last group of spelling-change verbs with regular endings is the group of infinitivesthat ends in -yer In this group the y changes to an i in front of a mute e Use the fol-lowing example as a guide for conjugating the -yer verbs

I conjugate the verb essayer (to try) as an example of this type of verb

essayer (to try)

jrsquoessaie nous essayons

tu essaies vous essayez

ilelleon essaie ilselles essaient

Jrsquoessaie le vin (I try the wine or I am trying the wine)

The spelling changes of this type of verb occur only in the entire singular and thethird person plural Spell the nous and vous forms just like the infinitive form of theverb and add the endings -ons and -ez after you drop the -er

Do you want a few more verbs to practice Table 3-6 covers some important -yerverbs that are conjugated similarly

Table 3-6 Common -yer VerbsVerb Translation

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

envoyer to send

essuyer to wipe

nettoyer to clean

payer to pay

srsquoennuyer to be bored

tutoyer to address someone using the tu form informally

vouvoyer to address someone using the vous form formally

Try conjugating some of these -yer verbs

Q Tu _________________ (envoyer) une lettre

A Tu envoies une lettre (You send a letter)

36 Elle _________________ (payer)

37 Nous _________________ (nettoyer)

38 Tu _________________ (essuyer) la table

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 36

39 Ils _________________ (employer) le dictionnaire

40 Il _________________ (ennuyer) Luc

Now that yoursquore familiar with many of these spelling-change verbs take the time toconjugate some of these different types of verbs in the following problems and thentranslate the sentences

Q Suzanne _________________ (essayer) les escargots

A Suzanne essaie les escargots Suzanne tries the snails

41 Tu _________________ (appeler) ton ami

__________________________________________________________________________________

42 Lrsquoeacutepicier _________________ (peser) les tomates

__________________________________________________________________________________

43 Les enfants _________________ (srsquoennuyer) agrave la maison

__________________________________________________________________________________

44 Je _________________ (acheter) les billets pour le theacuteacirctre

__________________________________________________________________________________

45 Ils _________________ (reacutepeacuteter) apregraves le professeur

__________________________________________________________________________________

46 Nous _________________ (nettoyer) la maison

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Le sommelier _________________ (lever) le verre de vin

__________________________________________________________________________________

48 Lrsquoeacutequipe _________________ (jeter) la balle

__________________________________________________________________________________

49 Tu _________________ (amener) ton fregravere agrave lrsquoeacutecole

__________________________________________________________________________________

50 Les Martin nous _________________ (envoyer) des cadeaux

__________________________________________________________________________________

51 Elle _________________ (espeacuterer) continuer ses eacutetudes

__________________________________________________________________________________

52 La neige _________________ (geler) lrsquoeacutetang

__________________________________________________________________________________

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 37

53 Je _________________ (essuyer) les meubles

__________________________________________________________________________________

54 Tu _________________ (essayer) le foie gras

__________________________________________________________________________________

55 Nous _________________ (preacutefeacuterer) la soupe agrave lrsquooignon

__________________________________________________________________________________

56 Marc _________________ (eacutepeler) son nom avec un c

__________________________________________________________________________________

57 Les parents _________________ (proteacuteger) leurs enfants

__________________________________________________________________________________

58 Ils _________________ (rejeter) le candidat

__________________________________________________________________________________

59 Tu _________________ (exageacuterer) vraiment

__________________________________________________________________________________

60 Elle _________________ (mener) son chien

__________________________________________________________________________________

Building Sentences Word by WordDo you have a grasp of the verbs in this chapter Do you feel comfortable puttingthem into complete sentences If you donrsquot I suggest you revisit any verb type thatrsquoscausing you concern

To actually build a sentence with these verbs take the verb and conjugate it in thepresent tense You can also add adverbs to give further meaning or emphasis to theverbs (See Chapter 2 for more information on adverbs) You can say how frequentlyhow well how seriously or even how attentively you do something Then add appro-priate nouns to form a complete sentence Remember that along with the conjugationof these verbs you also acquire new vocabulary by knowing what they mean

Tu voyages freacutequemment (You travel frequently)

Il appelle souvent son ami (He often calls his friend)

Try translating the following sentences If you get stuck refer to the tables earlier inthis chapter Note that the present tense in French has three meanings in EnglishFor example Jean et Marie-Claire annoncent leurs fianccedilailles means Jean and Marie-Claire announce do announce or are announcing their engagement

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 38

I complete the first one for you Check out the following example

Q I am constantly traveling

A Je voyage constamment

61 They wipe the table

__________________________________________________________________________________

62 We mix the ingredients well

__________________________________________________________________________________

63 The students repeat frequently after the professor

__________________________________________________________________________________

64 I send e-mails often

__________________________________________________________________________________

65 Michelle rarely calls

__________________________________________________________________________________

66 We are changing our phone number

__________________________________________________________________________________

67 The people are influencing the politicians

__________________________________________________________________________________

68 Tim is really annoying his sister

__________________________________________________________________________________

69 I am walking my dog

__________________________________________________________________________________

70 The clients are paying the bill

__________________________________________________________________________________

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 39

Answer KeyIn this section I give you the answers to all the practice problems in this chapter Ialso provide the most common translations to help you improve your French vocabu-lary (Remember that the present tense in French has three potential translations)

a Tu melanges les ingreacutedients (You mix the ingredients)

b Nous plongeons (We dive)

c Ils voyagent (They travel)

d Elle change (She changes)

e Nous nageons (We swim)

f Nous avanccedilons (We advance)

g Jrsquoannonce les prix (I am announcing the prizes)

h Ils menacent les enfants (They threaten the children)

i Elle remplace Paul (She replaces Paul)

j Vous lancez la balle (You throw the ball)

k Jean et Marie-Claire annoncent leurs fianccedilailles (Jean and Marie-Claire announce their engagement)

l Mon patron voyage en France (My boss is traveling to France)

m Nous placcedilons nos affaires dans lrsquoarmoire (We are placing our things in the armoire)

n Mes parents commencent agrave apprendre le japonais (My parents are beginning to learn Japanese)

o Je nage tregraves bien (I swim very well)

p Nous partageons une bouteille de vin (We are sharing a bottle of wine)

q Tu changes drsquoavis (You are changing your mind)

r Les eacutetudiants avancent en matheacutematiques (The students are advancing in mathematics)

s Le chat menace la souris (The cat is threatening the mouse)

t Nous mangeons un grand repas le dimanche (We eat a big meal on Sundays)

u Ils promegravenent le chien (They take the dog for a walk)

v Nous gelons (We are freezing)

w Tu pegraveses 60 kilos (You weigh 60 kilograms)

x Jrsquoamegravene mes enfants (I am bringing my children)

y Vous levez la main (You raise your hand)

A Je preacutefegravere la soupe (I prefer the soup)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 40

B Les eacutetudiants reacutepegravetent (The students repeat)

C Tu exagegraveres (You exaggerate)

D Nous proteacutegeons les petits chats (We protect the kittens)

E Elles espegraverent (They hope)

F Nous eacutepelons notre nom (We spell our name)

G Ils rejettent la proposition (They reject the proposal)

H Tu appelles le docteur (You call the doctor)

I Vous jetez des cailloux (You throw pebbles)

J Je rappelle mes enfants (I call my children back)

K Elle paie (She is paying)

L Nous nettoyons (We clean)

M Tu essuies la table (You wipe the table)

N Ils emploient le dictionnaire (They use the dictionary)

O Il ennuie Luc (He bothers Luc)

P Tu appelles ton ami You call your friend

Q Lrsquoeacutepicier pegravese les tomates The grocer weighs the tomatoes

R Les enfants srsquoennuient agrave la maison The children are bored in the house

S Jrsquoachegravete les billets pour le theacuteacirctre I am buying the tickets for the theater

T Ils reacutepegravetent apregraves le professeur They repeat after the professor

U Nous nettoyons la maison We are cleaning the house

V Le sommelier legraveve le verre de vin The wine steward is raising the glass of wine

W Lrsquoequipe jette la balle The team throws the ball

X Tu amegravenes ton fregravere agrave lrsquoeacutecole You bring your brother to school

Y Les Martin nous envoient des cadeaux The Martins send us gifts

z Elle espegravere continuer ses eacutetudes She hopes to continue her studies

Z La neige gegravele lrsquoeacutetang The snow freezes the pond

1 Jrsquoessuie les meubles I am wiping the furniture

2 Tu essaies le foie gras You are trying the foie gras

3 Nous preacutefeacuterons la soupe agrave lrsquooignon We prefer the onion soup

4 Marc eacutepelle son nom avec un c Marc spells his name with a c

07_773883 ch03qxp 82306 201 PM Page 41

5 Les parents protegravegent leurs enfants The parents protect their children

6 Ils rejettent le candidat They reject the candidate

7 Tu exagegraveres vraiment You really exaggerate

8 Elle megravene son chien She is bringing her dog

9 Ils essuient la table

0 Nous meacutelangeons bien les ingreacutedients

Les eacutetudiants reacutepegravetent freacutequemment apregraves le professeur

Jrsquoenvoie souvent des e-mails tous

Michelle appelle rarement

$ Nous changeons notre numeacutero de teacuteleacutephone

Les gens influencent les politiciens

^ Tim ennuie vraiment sa soeur

amp Je promegravene mon chien

Les clients paient lrsquoaddition

07_773883 ch03qxp 82306 201 PM Page 42

Chapter 4

Wrestling with Some Irregular Conjugations

In This Chapter Breaking down irregular verbs

Putting different irregular verbs together

In Chapter 2 I introduce the regular verbs whose infinitives end in -er -ir and -re Someverbs with these endings however have an irregular conjugation Theyrsquore harder to

conjugate because they donrsquot have a consistent stem throughout their conjugation butmost have similar endings making them a little easier to figure out

In this chapter I start with the most common and most frequently used irregular verbs Ithen focus on different groupings of irregular verbs and show you how to conjugate themall (If you want to work on other not-quite-so-common irregular verbs you can find morein Appendix C)

Conjugating Irregular VerbsFrom your experiences you probably realize that nothing is run-of-the-mill Just like in lifewhere you may know a few eccentric people French is similar with its own unique verbsTheyrsquore not at all like the regular verbs you find in Chapter 2 (or even Chapter 3) Theseverbs are irregular and in a world of their own

This section first covers the four most commonly used irregular verbs in the French languageand then delves into other frequently used irregular verbs

Focusing on the four most common irregular verbsThe following are the most common irregular verbs in the French language I wish I had aclear-cut easy way for you to master these irregular beasts The only suggestion I can makeis that you study each one and practice using it Irsquom sure each will be become second natureto you in no time A good way to make these verbs your own is to practice saying them outloud to try to build up a certain rhythm You may even try making a song out of the conjuga-tions using your favorite melody

Even with the following irregular conjugations you may notice some consistencies forexample the nous form in French always ends in -ons and the vous form almost alwaysends in -ez (exceptions include ecirctre dire and faire whose vous forms end in -es instead)Because the verbs in this section are irregular I bold the entire conjugation and not just theending in the following tables From these four verbs avoir and ecirctre are the two auxiliaryverbs That means that you always use them when forming the compound past tenseswhich I discuss in Part III

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 43

avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

ilelleon a ilselles ont

Jrsquoai trois enfants (I have three children)

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

ilelleon est ilselles sont

Ils sont gentils (They are nice)

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

ilelleon va ilselles vont

Nous allons au cineacutema (We are going to the movies)

faire (to do to make)

je fais nous faisons

tu fais vous faites

ilelleon fait ilselles font

Tu fais du bruit (You are making noise)

Other verbs conjugated like faire are refaire (to redo) deacutefaire (to dismantle) and sat-isfaire (to satisfy)

The four verbs in this section are the most common irregular verbs in French Try thefollowing practice problems to double-check how well you know them Irsquove conju-gated the verbs in the following sentences but I may not have conjugated them cor-rectly Check to see whether theyrsquore right and correct the ones that are wrong bywriting the correct conjugation in the provided blank If you come across any that arealready correct simply write ldquoyesrdquo in the blank

Q Tu va agrave lrsquouniversiteacute

A No Tu vas agrave lrsquouniversiteacute (You are going to the university)

1 Tu fait ton lit

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 44

2 Ils vont agrave la plage

__________________________________________________________________________________

3 Claudine es canadienne

__________________________________________________________________________________

4 Jrsquoai de la chance

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Vous faitez du ski

__________________________________________________________________________________

6 Les touristes disont au revoir

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Tu vas bien

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Vous sommes formidable

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 Philippe as un sac de couchage

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Nous faisons une quiche

__________________________________________________________________________________

Working through other ldquohelpfulrdquo irregular verbsThis next section of verbs focuses on important helping verbs Vouloir (to want to)pouvoir (to be able to) and devoir (to have to) help the main verb which is in theinfinitive form For example Je veux voyager means I want to travel Je peux voyagermeans I am able to travel and Je dois voyager means I have to travel The verbsvouloir and devoir can also be followed by nouns For example Je veux du cafeacutemeans I want some coffee Usually the verb vouloir is in the conditional form whenfollowed by a noun (See Chapter 17 for the lowdown on the conditional tense) Whenthe verb devoir is followed by a noun it means to owe as in the example Il me doitde lrsquoargent which means He owes me money

Look at the following conjugations to see how you handle these three common help-ing verbs You may notice a lot of similarities between pouvoir and vouloir such astheir endings and their vowel sequence (eu in all the singular mdash je tu ilelleon mdashand the third person plural mdash ilselles and ou in the nous and vous forms within theconjugation)

45Chapter 4 Wrestling with Some Irregular Conjugations

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 45

pouvoir (to be able to)

je peux nous pouvons

tu peux vous pouvez

ilelleon peut ilselles peuvent

Je peux parler franccedilais (I can [am able to] speak French)

vouloir (to want to)

je veux nous voulons

tu veux vous voulez

ilelleon veut ilselles veulent

Nous voulons apprendre le franccedilais (We want to learn French)

devoir (to have to)

je dois nous devons

tu dois vous devez

ilelleon doit ilselles doivent

Ils doivent lire (They have to read)

Now itrsquos your turn to conjugate these verbs and add the infinitives to make completesentences Work through the following practice questions and compare your answersto those in the key at the end of the chapter Translate the sentences after you conju-gate the verbs

Q Tu _________________ (pouvoir) conduire

A Tu peux conduire You can drive

11 Nous _________________ (vouloir) dormir

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ (pouvoir) lire

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Je _________________ (pouvoir) venir

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Isabelle _________________ (vouloir) sortir

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 46

15 Tu _________________ (devoir) travailler

__________________________________________________________________________________

16 Vous _________________ (pouvoir) parler franccedilais

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 Tout le monde _________________ (vouloir) avoir de lrsquoargent

__________________________________________________________________________________

18 Les filles _________________ (vouloir) voyager

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Je _________________ (devoir) manger

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 Tu _________________ (pouvoir) chanter

__________________________________________________________________________________

Grouping Irregular VerbsAlthough many verbs have an irregular conjugation you may be able to group themaccording to the ending of their infinitive or the similarity of their conjugation Forinstance many -ir verbs are irregular but you can put them into three groups If youremember the conjugation of one verb in a group then you know the conjugation ofall the verbs in that group The following sections show each of the three groups andgive you tips on how to remember each

Looking at the ldquopseudordquo -ir verbsThe following are irregular verbs that end in -ir To conjugate these verbs you need to keep the singular conjugation (the je tu and ilelleon) separate from the pluralconjugation (the nous vous and ilselles) For the singular conjugation get rid ofnot only the -ir of the infinitive but also the consonant before the -ir For examplefor the verb partir get rid of the -tir for the singular and add -s -s -t Now for theplural bring back the t from the infinitive and add -ons -ez -ent For the verb servirdrop the -vir from the infinitive add the ending -s -s -t bring the v back for the pluraland add -ons -ez -ent Do this with all the verbs in this group

ldquoPseudordquo -ir Verb Endings

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

ilelleon -t ilselles -ent

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 47

I use the verb partir (to leave) as an example Check out the following conjugation

partir (to leave)

je pars nous partons

tu pars vous partez

ilelleon part ilselles partent

Ils partent de lrsquoeacutecole (They are leaving [from] school)

Check out Table 4-1 for more examples of these types of verbs

Table 4-1 Common ldquoPseudordquo -ir VerbsVerb Translation Where to Break the Infinitive

dormir to sleep dormir

mentir to lie mentir

ressentir to feel ressentir

se sentir to feel (wellunwell) se sentir

sentir to smell to feel sentir

servir to serve servir

sortir to go out sortir

Use the following practice exercises to double-check that you have a good grasp ofthese types of verbs In each blank write the correctly conjugated form of the verb inparentheses I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q Nous _________________ (partir) demain matin

A Nous partons demain matin (We are leaving tomorrow morning)

21 Tu _________________ (servir) les hors-drsquooeuvre

22 Nous _________________ (dormir) tard le weekend

23 Je _________________ (sortir) le vendredi soir

24 Elle _________________ (mentir) quelquefois

25 Ils _________________ (servir) de la glace

26 Vous _________________ (sentir) bon

27 Il _________________ (partir) demain

28 Tu _________________ (dormir) trop

29 Marie _________________ (sortir) souvent

30 Elles _________________ (partir) pour lrsquoAustralie

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 48

The ldquowannabesrdquo -ir verbs acting like -er verbsYou conjugate this set of irregular -ir verbs like -er verbs such as the verb parler(to speak) Drop the -ir of the infinitive and add the endings in the following table(Donrsquot the endings look familiar)

The ldquoWannaberdquo Endings -ir Verbs Acting Like -er Verbs

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

Check out the following example of the verb ouvrir (to open) conjugated

ouvrir (to open)

jrsquoouvre nous ouvrons

tu ouvres vous ouvrez

ilelleon ouvre ilselles ouvrent

Nous ouvrons la porte (We open the door)

Table 4-2 has some examples of this type of verb

Table 4-2 Common ldquoWannaberdquo -ir VerbsVerb Translation

accueillir to welcome

couvrir to cover

cueillir to pick to gather (flowers vegetables and so on)

deacutecouvrir to discover

offrir to offer

souffrir to suffer

Work through these practice problems for a quick review of the ldquowannaberdquo verbsConjugate the verb in parentheses and write your answer in the blank (I provide thetranslation in the answers)

Q Tu _________________ (souffrir) de la chaleur

A Tu souffres de la chaleur (You sufferare suffering from the heat)

31 Nous _________________ (cueillir) des fleurs

32 Ils _________________ (accueillir) leurs inviteacutes

33 Je _________________ (couvrir) mon livre

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 49

34 Elle _________________ (deacutecouvrir) la veacuteriteacute

35 Vous _________________ (offrir) des bonbons

ldquoDeceptiverdquo -ir verbs Same endings different stemOne more set of irregular verbs that end in -ir are verbs that are all alike yet irregularcompared to regular -ir verbs These verbs have a conjugating pattern all their ownIf you know how to conjugate one of them then you can conjugate them all

These -ir verbs have the same endings as regular -ir verbs but without the double sin the plural (check out Chapter 2) The irregularity here is in the stem In fact theseverbs have two stems one for the entire singular and third person plural and anotherfor the nous and vous forms To begin the conjugation get rid of -enir from the infini-tive and add -iens -iens -ient or -iennent for the singular forms or third person plural(ilselles) For the nous and vous forms add -enons and -enez Look at the example

The ldquoDeceptiverdquo -ir Verb Endings

je -iens nous -enons

tu -iens vous -enez

ilelleon -ient ilselles -iennent

venir (to come)

je viens nous venons

tu viens vous venez

ilelleon vient ilselles viennent

Elle vient ici souvent (She comes here often)

Table 4-3 provides a list of verbs that follow the same type of conjugation

Table 4-3 Alike But Unique Irregular -ir VerbsVerb Translation

appartenir agrave to belong to

contenir to contain

devenir to become

maintenir to maintain

obtenir to obtain

retenir to retain

revenir to come back

se souvenir to remember

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 50

Verb Translation

soutenir to support

tenir to hold

Conjugate the verb in each set of parentheses and write your answers in the blanksprovided I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q Le lait _________________ (contenir) des vitamines

A Le lait contient des vitamines (Milk contains vitamins)

36 Conjugate the verb tenir (to hold) from start to finish Use the verb venir from earlier inthis section as an example

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

ilelleon _________________ ilselles _________________

37 Nous _________________ (revenir) du cineacutema

38 Les boicirctes _________________ (contenir) des cadeaux

39 Paul _________________ (tenir) le chien par la laisse

40 Tu _________________ (obtenir) ton diplocircme

41 Le dictionnaire _________________ (appartenir) agrave mon grand-pegravere

42 Les inviteacutes _________________ (venir) agrave huit heures

43 Le douanier _________________ (retenir) les journalistes

44 Nous _________________ (devenir) influents

45 Je _________________ (obtenir) la permission de mon patron

Comprehending irregular -re verbsMany irregular verbs in French have infinitives that end in -re Just like the irregular -irverbs these verbs can be put into various groups I start off with verbs that build offthe verb prendre (to take) If you know how to conjugate prendre you can also conju-gate verbs that end in -prendre To conjugate these verbs drop the -re off the infinitivefor the singular forms (je tu and ilelleon) and add the following endings -s -s noth-ing For the plural forms drop the -dre and add the following ending -ons -ez -nent

The -prendre Verb Endings

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

ilelleon (nothing) ilselles -nent

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 51

With il elle and on remember that you donrsquot add any endings Just drop the -re

For an example check out the conjugation of prendre

prendre (to take)

je prends nous prenons

tu prends vous prenez

ilelleon prend ilselles prennent

Tu prends le meacutetro (You takeare taking the subway)

Table 4-4 lists other common -prendre verbs Look through this list and practice con-jugating them

Table 4-4 Common -prendre VerbsVerb Translation

apprendre to learn

comprendre to understand

entreprendre to undertake

reprendre to take back to recapture

surprendre to surprise

Are the following verbs conjugated correctly If not correct them If you find onethatrsquos right simply write ldquoyesrdquo in the blank after the question

Q Nous prennons un taxi

A No Nous prenons un taxi (We takeare taking a taxi)

46 Jrsquoapprends le franccedilais

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Ils comprenent le russe

__________________________________________________________________________________

48 Elle prends le train

__________________________________________________________________________________

49 Je surprends mes amis

__________________________________________________________________________________

50 Nous comprendons la leccedilon

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 52

Remembering the ldquometsrdquoLike the verb prendre other irregular -re verbs have one stem in the singular andanother stem in the plural This is the case for the verb mettre (to put to place) andverbs that end in -mettre To form the singular conjugation just drop the -tre from theinfinitive and add -s -s nothing For the plural bring back the t and add -ons -ez -ent

The -mettre Verb Endings

je -s nous -tons

tu -s vous -tez

ilelleon (nothing) ilselles -tent

In this example I conjugate mettre If you know how to conjugate this verb then youcan conjugate others like it

mettre (to put to place)

je mets nous mettons

tu mets vous mettez

ilelleon met ilselles mettent

Je mets mon manteau (I put my coat on)

Table 4-5 lists the other common -mettre verbs Look through this list and practiceconjugating the verbs

Table 4-5 Common -mettre VerbsVerb Translation

admettre to admit

permettre to allow

promettre to promise

soumettre to submit to subject

transmettre to transmit to convey

Conjugate the verb in the following practice problems

Q Tu _________________ (admettre) ton erreur

A Tu admets ton erreur (You admit your error)

51 Conjugate the verb permettre (to allow) from start to finish Use mettre from earlier inthis section as an example

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 53

52 Les enfants _________________ (promettre) drsquoecirctre sages

53 Les chaicircnes de teacuteleacutevision _________________ (transmettre) les nouvelles

54 Le professeur _________________ (permettre) aux eacutetudiants de partir

55 Nous _________________ (mettre) nos gants

Continuing with irregular -re verbsThe following irregular -re verbs all have the same endings but different stems For theverb eacutecrire (to write) as well as other verbs conjugated like it drop the -re off the infini-tive and add -s -s -t for the singular For the plural add a v before the -ons -ez and -ent

The following is an example of this type of conjugation

eacutecrire (to write)

jrsquoeacutecris nous eacutecrivons

tu eacutecris vous eacutecrivez

ilelleon eacutecrit ilselles eacutecrivent

Il eacutecrit une lettre (He writes a letter)

Other verbs conjugated like eacutecrire include the following deacutecrire (to describe)inscrire (to inscribe) reacutecrire (to rewrite) and transcrire (to transcribe)

Lire (to read) is very similar in its conjugation First drop the -re from the infinitiveand add the endings you see in this table Remember to add an s in the plural

lire (to read)

je lis nous lisons

tu lis vous lisez

ilelleon lit ilselles lisent

Ils lisent le journal (They read the newspaper)

Eacutelire (to elect) relire (to reread) traduire (to translate) and conduire are conjugatedlike lire

You conjugate dire (to say) exactly like lire and conduire (to drive) with the excep-tion of the vous form The vous form of dire ends in -tes just like the verbs ecirctre (tobe) and faire (to do to make)

Note the following conjugation

dire (to say)

je dis nous disons

tu dis vous dites

ilelleon dit ilselles disent

Elle dit bonjour (She says hello)

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 54

Other verbs conjugated like dire include the following contredire (to contradict)interdire (to forbid) preacutedire (to predict) and redire (to repeat) You may want to notethat the vous forms of contredire interdire and preacutedire end in -disez

The verb boire (to drink) is in a place all its own It starts out like the other irregular -re verbs Drop the -re from the infinitive and add -s -s -t for the singular formsHowever the plural forms have a different stem Note this transformation in the fol-lowing conjugation

boire (to drink)

Je bois nous buvons

Tu bois vous buvez

ilelleon boit ilselles boivent

Je bois du cafeacute (I drink coffee)

Try conjugating these irregular -re verbs I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q La loi _________________ (interdire) le vol

A La loi interdit le vol (The law forbids theft)

56 Ils _________________ (lire) des magazines

57 Vous _________________ (dire) au revoir

58 Tu _________________ (conduire) une Mercedes

59 Elle _________________ (eacutecrire) des poegravemes

60 Nous _________________ (traduire) en franccedilais

61 Je _________________ (deacutecrire) Paris

62 Vous _________________ (boire) du theacute

63 Ils _________________ (eacutelire) le Preacutesident

64 Nous _________________ (eacutecrire) une piegravece

65 Tu _________________ (dire) bon appeacutetit

Looking at other odd irregular verbsSome verbs donrsquot necessarily follow a set pattern Unfortunately the only way toremember them is to practice saying them and writing them over and over until theysink in

Verbs such as voir (to see) and croire (to believe) are verbs with regular endings -s -s -t -ons -ez and -ent However in the nous and vous forms you need to change thei to a y as in the following examples

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 55

voir (to see)

je vois nous voyons

tu vois vous voyez

ilelleon voit ilselles voient

Nous voyons le drapeau (We see the flag)

croire (to believe)

je crois nous croyons

tu crois vous croyez

ilelleon croit ilselles croient

Je crois lrsquoarticle (I believe the article)

Donrsquot be fooled by the verb recevoir (to receive) It contains the verb voir but itrsquosconjugated very differently The endings are regular but take a look at the stem Ohla la In Chapter 1 I explain when you add the accent ceacutedille on the c You add itwhen the c is followed by an a o or u That way the c is always pronounced c andnot k Take a look at the conjugation of recevoir

recevoir (to receive)

je reccedilois nous recevons

tu reccedilois vous recevez

ilelleon reccediloit ilselles reccediloivent

Elle reccediloit un cadeau (She receives a present)

Verbs conjugated like recevoir include the following apercevoir (to notice to per-ceive) concevoir (to conceive) deacutecevoir (to deceive) and percevoir (to perceive)

Craindre (to fear) is another verb that has a unique conjugation Drop the -dre andadd -s -s -t for the singular For the plural drop the -ndre and add -gn before the regu-lar endings -ons -ez -ent

craindre (to fear)

je crains nous craignons

tu crains vous craignez

ilelleon craint ilselles craignent

Ils craignent lrsquoouragan (They fear the hurricane)

Other verbs similar to craindre include the following plaindre (to pity to feel sorryfor) se plaindre (to complain) and contraindre (to compel to force someone to dosomething)

Now you can practice your skills by conjugating these verbs You can also take it astep further and translate the sentences

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 56

Q Ils _________________ (preacutevoir) le mauvais temps __________________________________

A Ils preacutevoient le mauvais temps They foresee bad weather

66 Nous _________________ (recevoir) des e-mails

__________________________________________________________________________________

67 Les Franccedilais _________________ (boire) du vin au dicircner

__________________________________________________________________________________

68 Je _________________ (conduire) prudemment

__________________________________________________________________________________

69 Vous _________________ (voir) le pont

__________________________________________________________________________________

70 Michelle _________________ (traduire) du franccedilais en anglais

__________________________________________________________________________________

71 Nous _________________ (craindre) les araigneacutees

__________________________________________________________________________________

72 Tu _________________ (lire) le journal tous les jours

__________________________________________________________________________________

73 Vous _________________ (croire) lrsquohistoire

__________________________________________________________________________________

74 Je _________________ (recevoir) de bonnes notes

__________________________________________________________________________________

75 Il _________________ (eacutecrire) des poegravemes

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 57

Answer KeyThe following section includes the answers for all the practice problems in this chap-ter How did you do If one type of irregular verb gives you trouble take a few min-utes to review it

a No Tu fais ton lit (You makeare making your bed)

b Yes Ils vont agrave la plage (They are going to the beach)

c No Claudine est canadienne (Claudine is Canadian)

d Yes Jrsquoai de la chance (I am lucky)

e No Vous faites du ski (You are skiing)

f No Les touristes disent au revoir (The tourists say goodbye)

g Yes Tu vas bien (You are well)

h No Vous ecirctes formidable (You are wonderful)

i No Philippe a un sac de couchage (Philippe has a sleeping bag)

j Yes Nous faisons une quiche (We are making a quiche)

k Nous voulons dormir We want to sleep

l Ils peuvent lire They can read

m Je peux venir I can come

n Isabelle veut sortir Isabelle wants to go out

o Tu dois travailler You have tomustought to work

p Vous pouvez parler franccedilais You can speak French

q Tout le monde veut avoir de lrsquoargent Everyone wants to have money

r Les filles veulent voyager The girls want to travel

s Je dois manger I have to eat

t Tu peux chanter You canare able to sing

u Tu sers les hors-drsquooeuvre (You serve the hors-drsquooeuvres)

v Nous dormons tard le weekend (We sleep late on the weekends)

w Je sors le vendredi soir (I go out Friday evenings)

x Elle ment quelquefois (She lies sometimes)

y Ils servent de la glace (They serve ice cream)

A Vous sentez bon (You smell good)

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 58

B Il part demain (Hersquos leaving tomorrow)

C Tu dors trop (You sleep too much)

D Marie sort souvent (Mary goes out often)

E Elles partent pour lrsquoAustralie (They are leaving for Australia)

F Nous cueillons des fleurs (We pick flowers)

G Ils accueillent leurs inviteacutes (They welcome their guests)

H Je couvre mon livre (I cover my book)

I Elle deacutecouvre la veacuteriteacute (She discovers the truth)

J Vous offrez des bonbons (You offer candy)

K je tiens nous tenons

tu tiens vous tenez

ilelleon tient ilselles tiennent

L Nous revenons du cineacutema (We are coming back from the movies)

M Les boicirctes contiennent des cadeaux (The boxes contain gifts)

N Paul tient le chien par la laisse (Paul is holding the dog by the leash)

O Tu obtiens ton diplocircme (You are obtaining your diploma)

P Le dictionnaire appartient agrave mon grand-pegravere (The dictionary belongs to my grandfather)

Q Les inviteacutes viennent agrave huit heures (The guests are coming at 8 orsquoclock)

R Le douanier retient les journalistes (The customs officer is retaining the journalists)

S Nous devenons influents (We are becoming influential)

T Jrsquoobtiens la permission de mon patron (Irsquom obtaining my bossrsquos permission)

U Yes Jrsquoapprends le franccedilais (I am learning French)

V No Ils comprennent le russe (They understand Russian)

W No Elle prend le train (She takes the train)

X Yes Je surprends mes amis (I surprise my friends)

Y No Nous comprenons la leccedilon (We understand the lesson)

z je permets nous permettons

tu permets vous permettez

ilelleon permet ilselles permettent

08_773883 ch04qxp 82306 203 PM Page 59

Z Les enfants promettent drsquoecirctre sages (The children promise to be good)

1 Les chaicircnes de teacuteleacutevision transmettent les nouvelles (The TV channels transmit the news)

2 Le professeur permet aux eacutetudiants de partir (The professor allows the students to leave)

3 Nous mettons nos gants (We put on our gloves)

4 Ils lisent des magazines (They read magazines)

5 Vous dites au revoir (You say goodbye)

6 Tu conduis une Mercedes (You drive a Mercedes)

7 Elle eacutecrit des poegravemes (She writes poems)

8 Nous traduisons en franccedilais (We translate in French)

9 Je deacutecris Paris (I describe Paris)

0 Vous buvez du theacute (You drink tea)

Ils eacutelisent le Preacutesident (They elect the President)

Nous eacutecrivons une piegravece (We are writing a play)

Tu dis bon appeacutetit (You say bon appeacutetit)

$ Nous recevons des e-mails We receive e-mails

Les Franccedilais boivent du vin au dicircner The French drink wine at dinner

^ Je conduis prudemment I drive carefully

amp Vous voyez le pont You see the bridge

Michelle traduit du franccedilais en anglais Michelle translates from French to English

( Nous craignons les araigneacutees We fear spiders

) Tu lis le journal tous les jours You read the newspaper every day

- Vous croyez lrsquohistoire You believe the story

_ Je reccedilois de bonnes notes I get (receive) good grades

= Il eacutecrit des poegravemes He writes poems

08_773883 ch04qxp 82306 203 PM Page 60

Chapter 5

Reflecting on Pronominal Verbs(Reflexive Reciprocal and Idiomatic)

In This Chapter Explaining reflexive verbs

Clarifying reciprocal verbs

Discussing idiomatic verbs

The pronominal verb is one of the trickiest concepts for native English-speakers to under-stand You may be scratching your head wondering how you can tell whether a verb

is pronominal or not Donrsquot worry You can easily tell because the infinitive is preceded bythe pronoun se (or srsquo if the verb begins with a vowel or a mute h) For example se laver(to wash oneself) srsquoamuser (to have fun) and srsquohabiller (to get dressed) are all pronominalverbs

This chapter focuses on the three types of pronominal verbs reflexive reciprocal andidiomatic They may seem tricky but you do catch a few breaks You conjugate pronominalverbs the same way you conjugate regular French verbs and the pronominal pronouns(which each verb has) are the same whether the verb is reflexive reciprocal or idiomatic Ifyou want more information about reflexive verbs and giving commands check out Chapter 8and see Chapter 7 for information on using reflexive verbs when answering negatively

Understanding Reflexive VerbsEvery pronominal verb has a pronominal pronoun in front of it With reflexive verbs thispronoun is often referred to as the reflexive pronoun The addition of the reflexive pronoundoesnrsquot necessarily change the meaning of the verb but it alerts you that the subject is doingthe action on itself Laver (to wash) and se laver (to wash oneself) are a great example Je lavela voiture means Irsquom washing the car The subject je is performing an action on something orsomeone else mdash in this case la voiture Add a reflexive pronoun and you get Je me lavewhich means I washam washing myself Now the subject is performing the action on itself

Before you can conjugate reflexive verbs you need to know about their unique pronounsTable 5-1 shows a list of subject pronouns and their corresponding reflexive pronouns Youuse these pronouns when you want to imply that the subject is doing the action on itself

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 61

Table 5-1 Subject Pronouns and the Corresponding Reflexive PronounsSubject Pronouns Reflexive Pronouns

je me

tu te

ilelleon se

nous nous

vous vous

ilselles se

I conjugate the verb laver first as nonreflexive and then as reflexive so that you cancompare the two Remember that laver is a regular -er verb (You can check outChapter 2 for more about present-tense regular verb conjugations)

laver (to wash something or someone)

je lave nous lavons

tu laves vous lavez

ilelleon lave ilselles lavent

Je lave le beacutebeacute (I am washing the baby)

se laver (to wash oneself)

je me lave nous nous lavons

tu te laves vous vous lavez

ilelleon se lave ilselles se lavent

Elle se lave (She washesis washing herself)

With Je lave la voiture and Je lave le beacutebeacute the subject is performing the action onsomething (the car) or someone (the baby) else However with Je me lave the sub-ject is doing the action on itself Thus you use a reflexive verb

Drop the e from the pronouns me te and se and add an apostrophe before a verbthat begins with a vowel or a mute h The verb srsquohabiller (to dress) serves as anexample

srsquohabiller (to dress oneselfto get dressed)

je mrsquohabille nous nous habillons

tu trsquohabilles vous vous habillez

ilelleon srsquohabille ilselles srsquohabillent

Nous nous habillons (We getare getting dressed)

The following verbs in Table 5-2 can be reflexive or nonreflexive When the subject isdoing the action not on itself but on someone or something else donrsquot use a reflexivepronoun When the subject is doing the action on itself use the reflexive pronoun

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 62

Table 5-2 Common French Reflexive VerbsVerb Translation

srsquoappeler to call oneself to be named

srsquoarrecircter to stop oneself

srsquohabiller to dress oneself to get dressed

se baigner to bathe oneself

se brosser to brush oneself

se coiffer to dostyle onersquos hair

se coucher to go to bed to put oneself to bed

se couper to cut oneself

se laver to wash oneself

se lever to get up to get oneself up

se maquiller to put makeup on oneself

se peigner to comb onersquos hair (literally to comb oneself )

se promener to take oneself for a walk to stroll

se raser to shave oneself

se reacuteveiller to wake oneself up

When you use a part of the body with a reflexive verb you need definite articlesbefore the part of the body rather than the possessive adjectives that you use inEnglish A definite article means the in English and in French is le (masculine singu-lar) la (feminine singular) lrsquo (masculine or feminine singular beginning with a vowelor mute h) or les (masculine or feminine plural) For example I wash my face inFrench is ldquoJe me lave la figurerdquo It literally means I wash the face to myself

Now itrsquos your turn to take a stab The following practice exercises can help you get abetter grasp of reflexive verbs In these exercises determine whether the subject isdoing the action on itself or on someonesomething else Choose the reflexive or non-reflexive verb and conjugate it in the sentence I provide the translations in theAnswer Key

Q Elle _________________ (peignerse peigner) les cheveux

A Elle se peigne les cheveux (She is combing her hair)

Q Nous _________________ (brosserse brosser) les dents

A Nous nous brossons les dents (We are brushing our teeth)

1 Elle _________________ (maquillerse maquiller) la poupeacutee

2 Je _________________ (reacuteveillerse reacuteveiller) agrave six heures

3 Tu _________________ (couperse couper) ton bifteck

4 Ils _________________ (laver se laver)

5 Nous _________________ (brosserse brosser) les cheveux

63Chapter 5 Reflecting on Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive Reciprocal and Idiomatic)

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 63

Looking At Reciprocal VerbsReciprocal verbs are another type of pronominal verb and they reciprocate the actionof the subject pronouns The meaning is each other or to each other Nous nousaimons (we love each other) and ils se parlent (they are speaking to each other) aretwo examples Because the subject pronoun on can often refer to a plural subject pro-noun like we or even they it can also be used in reciprocal constructions Check outthe following examples

On srsquoeacutecrit tous les jours (We write to each other every day)

On se voit souvent (We see each other often)

Remember that even when on has a plural meaning you always conjugate the verb inthe third person singular

Table 5-3 lists the common reciprocal verbs

Table 5-3 Common French Reciprocal VerbsVerb Translation

srsquoaimer to love each other

srsquoeacutecrire to write to each other

srsquoembrasser to kiss each other

se comprendre to understand each other

se connaicirctre to know each other

se dire to say to each other

se disputer to argue with each other

se parler to speak to each other

se promettre to promise each other

se quitter to leave each other

se regarder to look at each other

se rencontrer to meet each other

se retrouver to find each other

se teacuteleacutephoner to call each other

se voir to see each other

After yoursquove had a chance to familiarize yourself with reciprocal verbs take a momentto try the following practice exercises In these exercises conjugate the followingverbs and then translate the sentences

Q Nous _________________ (se rencontrer) souvent

A Nous nous rencontrons souvent (We meet each other often)

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 64

6 Ils _________________ (se promettre)

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Vous _________________ (se dire) au revoir

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 On _________________ (srsquoeacutecrire)

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Elles _________________ (se comprendre)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Attempting Idiomatic VerbsThe last type of pronominal verbs is idiomatic mdash those verbs whose meaning canrsquot beunderstood from the usual meaning of the verb In other words the same verb hasone meaning when it is nonpronominal and a different meaning when it is pronominal

To help you understand the difference between the idiomatic and the usual meaningof a verb check out the following example

Il ennuie sa soeur (He is bothering his sister)

Il srsquoennuie (He is bored)

As you notice from the preceding example when you use the verb ennuyer in its non-pronominal form it means something completely different than in its pronominal formThis is the case for all idiomatic pronominal verbs These verbs become idiomaticwhen you use them in their pronominal form because their meaning changes some-times even drastically You canrsquot translate idiomatic expressions word for wordbecause separately they have a different meaning than when theyrsquore idiomatic

If you already know that ennuyer means to bother you may have difficulty translatingil srsquoennuie correctly Why does it refer to boredom instead Thatrsquos just the nature ofidiomatic verbs or expressions in any language Imagine trying to tell a nonnativeEnglish-speaker that shersquos the ldquoapple of your eyerdquo or that you ldquogot up on the wrongside of the bedrdquo and yoursquoll see what I mean To a native speaker itrsquos a commonenough phrase translated literally into another language it doesnrsquot make muchsense The bottom line If yoursquore aware of what an idiom is and you try to rememberthe idioms in this chapter yoursquoll end up understanding more French and soundingmore like a native when you speak

These idiomatic verbs include the pronominal pronouns just like the reflexive andreciprocal verbs do and are conjugated the same way

Table 5-4 compares the ldquoplainrdquo usual verb with its idiomatic counterpart

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 65

Table 5-4 Comparing the Usual Verb with the Idiomatic VerbUsual Verb Translation Idiomatic Verb Translation

aller to go srsquoen aller to go away to leave

amuser to amuse to entertain srsquoamuser to have fun

deacutebrouiller to disentangle se deacutebrouiller to manage

demander to ask se demander to wonder

deacutepecirccher to dispatch se deacutepecirccher to hurry to be in a hurry

douter to doubt se douter de to suspect

ennuyer to bother srsquoennuyer to be bored

entendre to hear srsquoentendre to get along

inquieacuteter to disturb someone srsquoinquieacuteter to become worried

mettre to put to place se mettre agrave + infinitive to begin (to do something)

occuper to occupy to hold srsquooccuper de to be in charge ofto take care ofto deal with

passer to go to pass se passer de to do without

rappeler to call back se rappeler to remember to recall

rendre to give back to return se rendre compte de to realize

servir to serve se servir de to use

tromper to deceive to disappoint se tromper de to be mistaken to bewrong

Try translating these sentences and conjugating the pronominal verbs

Q Mom takes care of the children

A Maman srsquooccupe des enfants

11 We get along

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 I am going away

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 They are seeing each other

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 David is in a hurry

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 We are bored

__________________________________________________________________________________

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 66

In the following group of practice exercises conjugate the verb and then translate thesentence In each question I add some adverbs after the verbs to make the sentencesmore interesting (Check out Chapter 2 for common adverbs)

Q Nous _________________ (srsquoeacutecrire) souvent

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Nous nous eacutecrivons souvent We write to each other often

16 Tu _________________ (srsquoeacutenerver) rarement

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 Vous _________________ (se disputer) souvent

__________________________________________________________________________________

18 Je _________________ (srsquohabiller) vite

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Ils _________________ (se coucher) tard

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 Nous _________________ (srsquoentendre) bien

__________________________________________________________________________________

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 67

Answer KeyIn this section you can find all the answers to the problems in this chapter I also providethe translations for these questions to help you understand what yoursquore conjugating

a Elle maquille la poupeacutee (She puts makeup on the doll)

b Je me reacuteveille agrave six heures (I get up at 6 orsquoclock)

c Tu coupes ton bifteck (You are cutting your steak)

d Ils se lavent (They getare getting washed)

e Nous nous brossons les cheveux (We are brushing our hair)

f Ils se promettent (They promise each other)

g Vous vous dites au revoir (You are saying goodbye to each other)

h Nous nous voyons (We see each other)

i On srsquoeacutecrit (We write to each other or they write to each other)

j Elles se comprennent (They understand each other)

k Nous nous entendons

l Je mrsquoen vais

m Ils se voient

n David se deacutepecircche

o Nous nous ennuyons

p Tu trsquoeacutenerves rarement You rarely become irritated

q Vous vous disputez souvent You argue with each other often

r Je mrsquohabille vite I get dressed quickly

s Ils se couchent tard They go to bed late

t Nous nous entendons bien We get along well

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 68

Chapter 6

Forming the Present Participle and the Gerund

In This Chapter Explaining the present participle

Practicing gerunds

Figuring out the past present participle

How do you do your daily chores Do you work or drive to work while singing talkinglistening to the radio or keeping quiet Well you can describe how you do things as

well as why and under which circumstances with the present participle and the gerund

In this chapter I cover the present participle show you how to form a gerund and thenshow you how to use them

Introducing the Present ParticipleThe present participle is used to express the way things are done as well as why and howtheyrsquore done It expresses manner cause and circumstances The present participleanswers the questions ldquowhyrdquo and ldquohowrdquo In English it always ends in -ing mdash examplesinclude singing walking and so on In French the present participle ends in -ant mdash examplesinclude chantant and marchant Forming the present participle is easy for regular verbs andfor most irregular verbs Simply take the first person plural (the nous form) of any presenttense verb drop the -ons ending and add -ant

(Nous) allons (We goare going) becomes allant (going) when you drop the -ons and add-ant to the verb

The subject pronoun nous isnrsquot part of the present participle Table 6-1 forms the presentparticiple for some regular and irregular verbs

Table 6-1 Forming the Present ParticipleInfinitive Nous Form Present Participle

aller allons allant (going)

appeler appelons appelant (calling)

commencer commenccedilons commenccedilant (beginning)

(continued)

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Table 6-1 (continued)Infinitive Nous Form Present Participle

faire faisons faisant (doing)

finir finissons finissant (finishing)

manger mangeons mangeant (eating)

parler parlons parlant (speaking)

partir partons partant (leaving)

preacutefeacuterer preacutefeacuterons preacutefeacuterant (preferring)

prendre prenons prenant (taking)

vendre vendons vendant (selling)

venir venons venant (coming)

voir voyons voyant (seeing)

Only three verbs have an irregular present participle They are

avoir (to have) which becomes ayant (having)

ecirctre (to be) which becomes eacutetant (being)

savoir (to know) which becomes sachant (knowing)

Using the Present ParticipleThe present participle has many functions In fact you can use the present participlein the following three ways

To indicate cause or circumstances When you use the present participle to indi-cate cause or circumstances itrsquos always in the same form and doesnrsquot have toagree with anything (such as a pronoun) For example Comprenant le franccedilaisjrsquoai regardeacute le film en version originale means Understanding French I watchedthe film in its original version Ayant de lrsquoargent elle a pu voyager means Havingsome money she was able to travel

As an adjective When you use the present participle as an adjective it agrees ingender and number with the noun it modifies For example Crsquoest une histoireinteacuteressante means It is an interesting story

As a noun Some nouns in French are derived from the present participle Forexample Lrsquoassistante du cadre est tregraves efficace means The managerrsquos assistant isvery efficient Du cafeacute Docircme on regarde les passants means From the cafeacuteDocircme we watch the passersby

Now itrsquos your turn Put the following verbs in the present participle I provide thetranslations in the Answer Key

Q Rire _________________

A Riant (laughing)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 70

1 Boire _________________

2 Mettre _________________

3 Savoir _________________

4 Tenir _________________

5 Ecrire _________________

6 Vouloir _________________

7 Craindre _________________

8 Faire _________________

9 Avoir _________________

10 Nager _________________

Forming the GerundA gerund is a verb-noun It looks like a verb but actually works as a noun For exam-ple in the sentence walking to the store is fun walking looks like a verb but itrsquos in facta noun In this phrase walking is a gerund

In French to form the gerund just add the preposition en in front of the present par-ticiple The gerund in English translates to while by upon or in doing somethingRemember that the gerund often indicates a simultaneous action

La fille chante en marchant (The girl is singing while walking)

Les eacutetudiants eacutecoutent de la musique en faisant leurs devoirs (The studentslisten to music while doing their homework)

In this section I show you how to form the gerund as well as how you use it in FrenchI then provide you with some practice problems to ensure that you understand gerunds

Using the gerundIn addition to indicating a simultaneous action you can use the gerund to expressmanner or circumstances

En entrant dans le bacirctiment jrsquoai vu Paul (UponIn entering the building I sawPaul)

Jrsquoai compris la situation politique en lisant les journaux (I understood the politi-cal situation uponinby reading the newspapers)

You can add tout in front of the gerund in order to make the simultaneous actionsstronger generally to stress a contradiction For example Elle lit le journal tout enregardant la teacuteleacutevision means She is reading the newspaper while watching television

The gerund is also used in many famous proverbs in French For example Crsquoest enforgeant que lrsquoon devient forgeron means It is by blacksmithing that one becomes ablacksmith Or as you say in English practice makes perfect

71Chapter 6 Forming the Present Participle and the Gerund

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 71

Now take the time to make your own proverbs by putting the verbs in parentheses inthe gerund form I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q Crsquoest _________________ (faire) la cuisine que lrsquoon devient cuisinier

A Crsquoest en faisant la cuisine que lrsquoon devient cuisinier (Itrsquos by cooking that one becomes acook)

11 Crsquoest _________________ (nager) que lrsquoon devient nageur

12 Crsquoest _________________ (jardiner) que lrsquoon devient jardinier

13 Crsquoest _________________ (peindre) que lrsquoon devient peintre

14 Crsquoest _________________ (eacutecrire) que lrsquoon devient eacutecrivain

15 Crsquoest _________________ (chanter) que lrsquoon devient chanteur

16 Crsquoest _________________ (danser) que lrsquoon devient danseur

17 Crsquoest _________________ (sculpter) que lrsquoon devient sculpteur

18 Crsquoest _________________ (composer) que lrsquoon devient compositeur

19 Crsquoest _________________ (juger) que lrsquoon devient juge

20 Crsquoest _________________ (parler) beaucoup de langues que lrsquoon devient interpregravete

Pronominal verbs Corresponding to the subjectWith pronominal verbs the pronominal pronoun corresponds to the subject SeeChapter 5 for more information on reflexive verbs

En nous promenant nous avons trouveacute dix euros (While strollingtaking a walkwe found ten euros)

Jean srsquoest coupeacute en se rasant (Jean cut himself while shaving)

Jrsquoeacutetais toujours fatiqueacute en me reacuteveillant (I was still tired in waking up)

One general difference between the present participle and the gerund is that the pres-ent participle is linked to the noun whereas the gerund is linked to the verb Forexample Jrsquoai vu Olivier sortant du cafeacute means I saw Olivier leaving the cafeacute Thepresent participle is associated with Olivier who is the noun (Olivier was leaving thecafeacute) Whereas in the sentence Jrsquoai vu Olivier en sortant du cafeacute (I saw Olivier while[I was] leaving the cafeacute) the use of the gerund which is linked to the verb says that Isaw Olivier while I was leaving the cafeacute

In the following exercises choose between the present participle and the gerund andfill in the blanks I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q La petite fille chante _________________ (jouer) du piano

A La petite fille chante en jouant du piano (The little girl is singing while playing the piano)

21 Crsquoest une ideacutee _________________ (encourager)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 72

22 Il parle agrave sa femme _________________ (conduire)

23 Vous demandez pardon _________________ (savoir) que vous avez tort

24 On maigrit _________________ (manger) moins

25 Elle fait des gestes _________________ (raconter) des histoires

26 Je me sens mieux _________________ (faire) de lrsquoexercice

27 Les enfants _________________ (sourire) ouvrent leurs cadeaux

28 Le beacutebeacute se calme _________________ (entendre) la voix de sa megravere

29 _________________ (vouloir) apprendre lrsquoitalien nous allons en Italie

30 Ce sont des chiens _________________ (obeacuteir)

Forming and Using the Past Present Participle

The present participle also has a past form To create this form you need an auxiliaryverb (avoir or ecirctre) which is a verb thatrsquos used to help form all the compound pasttenses of verbs In English this form is called the perfect participle and is indicatedby adding a past participle to the present participle of the auxiliary as in the phraseshaving eaten having left and so on In French simply put the auxiliaries avoir and ecirctrein the present participle (ayant and eacutetant) and add the past participle of the verb youwant mdash for example ayant mangeacute (having eaten) and eacutetant parti (having left) (Checkout Chapter 12 for more on the passeacute composeacute if you need help with the translations)

How do you use this past form of the present participle Use it when its action comesbefore the action of the main verb

Ayant lu lrsquoarticle il a deacutecouvert la veacuteriteacute (Having read the article he discovered thetruth)

Eacutetant arriveacute en retard il a manqueacute le deacutebut du film (Having arrived late hemissed the beginning of the movie)

Now try something challenging Transform these sentences by changing the auxil-iaries avoir and ecirctre into the present participle form and getting rid of the subjectpronoun and the conjunction like in the example Then translate the sentences I giveyou the past participles to help you get started

Q Jrsquoai eacutecouteacute la musique classique et je me suis calmeacute (I listened to classical music and Icalmed down)

A Ayant eacutecouteacute la musique classique je me suis calmeacute

Having listened to classical music I calmed down

31 Il avait trop mangeacute et il srsquoest endormi dans le sofa (He had eaten too much and he fellasleep on the sofa)

__________________________________________________________________________________

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 73

32 Nous eacutetions en retard et nous avons couru (We were late and we ran)

__________________________________________________________________________________

33 Ils avaient rateacute le train et ils sont rentreacutes en retard (They had missed the train and theycame home late)

__________________________________________________________________________________

34 Elle avait reacuteussi agrave lrsquoexamen et elle eacutetait tregraves heureuse (She had passed the exam and shewas very happy)

__________________________________________________________________________________

35 Tu eacutetais rentreacute tard et tu es monteacute tout de suite dans ta chambre (You had come homelate and you went to your room right away)

__________________________________________________________________________________

36 Jrsquoeacutetais resteacute dans la maison tout le weekend et je me suis ennuyeacute (I had stayed home allweekend and I was bored)

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Vous aviez pris une douche et vous vous ecirctes habilleacute (You had taken a shower and yougot dressed)

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Il avait suivi un reacutegime et il a maigri (He had gone on a diet and he lost weight)

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Jrsquoeacutetais tombeacute de lrsquoescalier et je me suis casseacute la jambe (I had fallen from the staircase and I broke my leg)

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Ils avaient fait leurs devoirs et ils sont sortis (They had done their homework and theywent out)

__________________________________________________________________________________

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 74

Answer KeyIn this section I give you the answers to all the problems in this chapter I also providetranslations to help you know what yoursquove just conjugated How did you do

a buvant (drinking)

b mettant (putting)

c sachant (knowing)

d tenant (holding)

e eacutecrivant (writing)

f voulant (wanting)

g craignant (fearing)

h faisant (doing)

i ayant (having)

j nageant (swimming)

k Crsquoest en nageant que lrsquoon devient nageur (Itrsquos by swimming that one becomes a swimmer)

l Crsquoest en jardinant que lrsquoon devient jardinier (Itrsquos by gardening that one becomes a gardener)

m Crsquoest en peignant que lrsquoon devient peintre (Itrsquos by painting that one becomes a painter)

n Crsquoest en eacutecrivant que lrsquoon devient eacutecrivain (Itrsquos by writing that one becomes a writer)

o Crsquoest en chantant que lrsquoon devient chanteur (Itrsquos by singing that one becomes a singer)

p Crsquoest en dansant que lrsquoon devient danseur (Itrsquos by dancing that one becomes a dancer)

q Crsquoest en sculptant que lrsquoon devient sculpteur (Itrsquos by sculpting that one becomes a sculptor)

r Crsquoest en composant que lrsquoon devient compositeur (Itrsquos by composing that one becomes a composer)

s Crsquoest en jugeant que lrsquoon devient juge (Itrsquos by judging that one becomes a judge)

t Crsquoest en parlant beaucoup de langues que lrsquoon devient interpregravete (Itrsquos by speaking many languages that one becomes an interpreter)

u Crsquoest une ideacutee encourageante (Itrsquos an encouraging idea)

v Il parle agrave sa femme en conduisant (He speaks to his wife while driving)

w Vous demandez pardon sachant que vous avez tort (You ask for forgiveness knowing that youare wrong)

x On maigrit en mangeant moins (One loses weight by eating less)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 75

y Elle fait des gestes en racontant des histoires (She makes gestures while telling stories)

A Je me sens mieux en faisant de lrsquoexercice (I feel better by exercising)

B Les enfants souriants ouvrent leurs cadeaux (The smiling children open their presents)

C Le beacutebeacute se calme en entendant la voix de sa megravere (The baby calms himself by hearing hismotherrsquos voice)

D Voulant apprendre lrsquoitalien nous allons en Italie (Wanting to learn Italian we are going to Italy)

E Ce sont des chiens obeacuteissants (They are obedient dogs)

F Ayant trop mangeacute il srsquoest endormi dans le sofa

Having eaten too much he fell asleep on the sofa

G Ayant eacuteteacute en retard nous avons couru

Having been late we ran

H Ayant rateacute le train ils sont rentreacutes en retard

Having missed the train they came home late

I Ayant reacuteussi agrave lrsquoexamen elle eacutetait tregraves heureuse

Having passed the exam she was very happy

J Etant rentreacute tard tu es monteacute tout de suite dans ta chambre

Having come home late you went to your room right away

K Etant resteacute dans la maison tout le weekend je me suis ennuyeacute

Having stayed home all weekend I was bored

L Ayant pris une douche vous vous ecirctes habilleacute

Having taken a shower you got dressed

M Ayant suivi un reacutegime il a maigri

Having gone on a diet he lost weight

N Etant tombeacute de lrsquoescalier je me suis casseacute la jambe

Having fallen from the staircase I broke my leg

O Ayant fait leurs devoirs ils sont sortis

Having done their homework they went out

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 76

Part IIUsing Verbs Correctly with

Questions Commands and Such

11_773883 pt02qxp 72806 845 PM Page 77

In this part You use verbs to ask questions give answers order

someone around or order something to eat You useverbs for description for action to recount past eventsto express the future or even to express your wishes anddesires This part shows you how to use the verbs to askand answer questions (Chapter 7) to give commands(Chapter 8) to incorporate aller (to go) and venir (to come)and to form the immediate future and the immediate past(Chapter 9) and to use certain verbs correctly to form somepopular expressions (Chapter 10) Furthermore this part isa guide to help you use certain tricky verbs correctly Someverbs (such as connaicirctre and savoir) have the same mean-ing in English (to know) but are used differently in FrenchThis part tells you which French verb to choose eventhough you see no distinction between them in English

11_773883 pt02qxp 72806 845 PM Page 78

Chapter 7

Inquisitive Minds Want to Know Asking and Answering Questions

In This Chapter Asking questions with inversion

Responding in the negative

Making pronominal verbs and infinitives negative

In any language being able to ask questions is important Questions can range from the mostsimple (those requiring a yes or no answer) to more complex (those requiring detailed

information such as the date time and location for your party) Furthermore you can usemany styles to ask questions ranging from informal conversational styles (How ya doinrsquo)to the most formal styles which you probably use mostly in writing and in polite situations(May I inquire as to your health) Therefore the way you ask a question depends on thecircumstances and the environment yoursquore in

French has four main ways to ask a question They are as follows

Intonation The most common and conversational way of asking a question yousimply raise your voice at the end of the sentence

For example Tu regardes la teacuteleacute (Are you watching television)

Nrsquoest-ce pas Another conversational way you can ask a question is to add this phraseat the end of the sentence

For example Nous deacutejeunons ensemble nrsquoest-ce pas (Wersquore having lunch togetherright)

Est-ce que The third conversational way of asking a question is by using this expres-sion at the beginning of a sentence

For example Est-ce que tu cherches tes cleacutes (Are you looking for your keys)

Inversion The fourth way to ask a question is by inverting or switching the place ofthe subject and verb and adding a hyphen

For example Vas-tu au cineacutema ce soir (Are you going to the movies this evening)

In this chapter I focus on using the inversion method to ask questions Because this book isa verb book I look closely at how inversion can affect the verb This chapter also addresseshow answering a question can affect the verb

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 79

Using Inversion to Ask QuestionsInversion means that you invert or switch the places of the subject and verb and adda hyphen In fact with inversion you have to add a t in the third person singularbetween the verb and the subject pronoun if the verb ends in a vowel Although youuse inversion in conversational French you also need to know it for formal situationssuch as in speeches polite conversation and writing

Check out the following two examples In order to turn the statement into a questionsimply switch the place of the subject and verb and add a hyphen like so

Tu prends le train tous les jours (You take the train every day)

Prends-tu le train tous les jours (Do you take the train every day)

Vous parlez franccedilais (You speak French)

Parlez-vous franccedilais (Do you speak French)

You usually donrsquot use inversion with the first person singular je This rule has a fewexceptions such as Puis-je (May I) Suis-je (Am I) and Sais-je (Do I know)In most cases you use est-ce que with je instead of using inversion

Inversion with vowelsYou probably already know that pronunciation is very important in French Itrsquos allabout sound If two vowels meet head-to-head in an inversion add the letter t betweenthe two vowels and surround it with hyphens This only happens in the third personsingular with il elle and on

Il cherche le livre (He is looking for the book)

Cherche-t-il le livre (Is he looking for the book)

If the verb doesnrsquot end in a vowel but the subject pronoun begins with a vowel youdonrsquot add a t You only add the t when you have two vowels head-to-head

Il attend lrsquoautobus (He is waiting for the bus)

Attend-il lrsquoautobus (Is he waiting for the bus)

Note that the pronunciation of the d is a t

You donrsquot need to add a t with the plural subjects ilselles because the third personplural verb always ends in a consonant specifically a t

Ils nagent bien (They swim well)

Nagent-ils bien (Do they swim well)

You try it Use inversion to transform these statements into questions Check out thesample if you have any questions

Q Elle eacutecoute la radio (She is listening to the radio)

A Eacutecoute-t-elle la radio (Is she listening to the radio)

80 Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and Such

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 80

1 Vous comprenez le film (You understand the film)

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Il voyage souvent (He travels often)

__________________________________________________________________________________

3 Tu cherches tes cleacutes (You are looking for your keys)

__________________________________________________________________________________

4 Elle nettoie la maison (She is cleaning the house)

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Ils mangent bien (They eat well)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Inversion with a nounWhat happens when the sentence has a proper noun (or any noun for that matter) forits subject Keep the noun before the verb and add a subject pronoun that corre-sponds to the noun with a hyphen

Marc eacutecrit des poegravemes (Marc writes poems)

Marc eacutecrit-il des poegravemes (Does Marc write poems)

Les enfants aiment le theacuteacirctre (The children like the theater)

Les enfants aiment-ils le theacuteacirctre (Do the children like the theater)

Inversion with pronominal verbsInversion is a little trickier with pronominal verbs because you have to consider thepronominal pronoun (Check out Chapter 5 for the lowdown on pronominal verbs)Keep the pronominal pronoun exactly where it is mdash in front of the verb mdash and placethe subject pronoun after the verb as you can see in the following examples

Il se rase (He is shaving)

Se rase-t-il (Is he shaving)

Tu te legraveves de bonne heure (You wake up early)

Te legraveves-tu de bonne heure (Do you wake up early)

Because in the nous and vous forms the subject pronouns and the pronominal pro-nouns look exactly the same it can be difficult to know which is which Just remem-ber that the pronoun after the verb and the hyphen is the subject pronoun

Nous nous aimons (We love each other)

Nous aimons-nous (Do we love each other)

81Chapter 7 Inquisitive Minds Want to Know Asking and Answering Questions

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 81

Now itrsquos your turn to practice Transform these statements into questions by usinginversion

Q Il srsquoamuse (He is having fun)

A Srsquoamuse-t-il (Is he having fun)

6 Tu mets ton chapeau (You are putting on your hat)

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Nous nous deacutepecircchons (We are hurrying)

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Elle boit du vin (She is drinking wine)

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 Nous payons lrsquoaddition (We are paying the check)

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Ils achegravetent un lecteur de CD (They are buying a CD palyer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Inversion with two verbs in a sentenceIf a sentence has two verbs how do you know which verb to invert You invert theconjugated verb with the subject pronoun

Tu veux sortir (You want to go out)

Veux-tu sortir (Do you want to go out)

The same holds true for other compound verbs For example this rule applies to thepasseacute composeacute (see Chapter 12) where you place the subject pronoun after the auxil-iary which is the conjugated verb

Use inversion to transform these statements into questions Remember that youinvert the conjugated verb with the subject pronoun

Q Tu vas dicircner avec nous (You are going to have dinner with us)

A Vas-tu dicircner avec nous (Are you going to have dinner with us)

11 Il faut faire de lrsquoexercice (It is necessary to exercise)

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Nous pouvons chanter (We can sing)

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 82

13 Ils veulent aller au cineacutema (They want to go to the movies)

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Geacuteraldine va voir ses amis cet apregraves-midi (Geacuteraldine is going to see her friends this afternoon)

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu peux conduire (You can drive)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Responding in the NegativeIf you decide to answer yes to a question you typically only have to add oui (yes) toyour answer However you canrsquot say yes all the time Sometimes you have to refuse todo something or express your dislike for something or someone To do this you use thenegative The negative consists of two parts ne which is placed before the conjugatedverb and pas which is placed after the verb Just think of ne pas as surroundingthe conjugated verb Pas means step like in the ballet terms pas de deux or pas detrois (a dance for two or a dance for three dancers) Check out the following example

Je parle italien (I speak Italian)

Je ne parle pas italien (I do not speak Italian)

With pronominal verbs the ne precedes the pronominal pronoun which precedes theverb and you place the pas after the conjugated verb See the following example

Nous nous amusons (We are having fun)

Nous ne nous amusons pas (We are not having fun)

When the verb begins with a vowel or a mute h drop the e of ne and add an apostrophe

Elle habite agrave Paris (She lives in Paris)

Elle nrsquohabite pas agrave Paris (She doesnrsquot live in Paris)

Try making the following sentences negative Add ne before the conjugated verb andpas after it If the verb begins with a vowel remember to drop the e and add an apos-trophe Also remember that when a pronoun precedes the verb the ne precedes thepronoun

Q Elle sort tous les soirs (She goes out every evening)

A Elle ne sort pas tous les soirs (She doesnrsquot go out every evening)

16 Je nage bien (I swim well)

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 Ils comprennent la leccedilon (They understand the lesson)

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 83

18 Nous nous ennuyons (We are bored)

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Elle aime danser (She likes to dance)

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 Tu crains les souris (You are afraid of mice)

__________________________________________________________________________________

When walking the streets in France you may hear the French stress the pas and omitthe ne This custom is a very informal way of expressing the negative such as Je saispas (I donrsquot know) or Je comprends pas (I donrsquot understand)

However in formal writing you may come across a sentence where the pas is elimi-nated as with the verbs oser (to dare) cesser (to stop to cease) pouvoir (to be ableto) and savoir (to know) Examples include Je nrsquoose vous interrompre (I donrsquot dareinterrupt you) and Il ne cesse de parler (He doesnrsquot stop talking)

After the negative in French certain changes can occur with the articles In factI could write an entire chapter on just these pronouns but I want to stay focusedon verbs so I suggest you check out French For Dummies by Dodi-Katrin SchmidtMichelle M Williams and Dominique Wenzel (Wiley) or ask your French teacher forextra help

Here are some more problems for you to work on Try making the following sentencesnegative Add ne before the conjugated verb and pas after it If the verb begins with avowel remember to drop the e and add an apostrophe Also remember that when apronoun precedes the verb the ne precedes the pronoun

Q Antoine attend ses amis (Antoine is waiting for his friends)

A Antoine nrsquoattend pas ses amis (Antoine is not waiting for his friends)

21 Tu peux venir avec nous (You can come with us)

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Jrsquoessaie les choux de Bruxelles (Irsquom trying Brussels sprouts)

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Nous avons la motocyclette de Paul (We have Paulrsquos motorcycle)

__________________________________________________________________________________

24 Crsquoest du fromage (It is cheese)

__________________________________________________________________________________

25 Elle va faire les courses (She is going to run errands)

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 84

Forming the Negative with InversionIn the previous section you can see how to form the negative (You just add ne beforethe conjugated verb and pas after it) With inversion the ne still precedes the conju-gated verb but the negative expression follows the subject pronoun like it does inthe following examples

Ne parle-t-il pas franccedilais (Doesnrsquot he speak French )

Ne vendent-ils pas leur maison (Are they not selling their house )

Corinne ne veut-elle pas venir avec nous (Doesnrsquot Corinne want to come with us )

Make the following sentences negative Just follow the sample Q and A

Q Reacutepondez-vous aux questions (Do you answer the questions )

A Ne reacutepondez-vous pas aux questions (Donrsquot you answer the questions )

26 Philippe prend-il des meacutedicaments (Does Philippe take medication )

__________________________________________________________________________________

27 Reacuteussissent-ils aux eacutexamens (Do they pass the exams )

__________________________________________________________________________________

28 Vas-tu voyager cet eacuteteacute (Are you going to travel this summer )

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 Nous rencontrons-nous souvent (Do we meet each other often )

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 Avez-vous de lrsquoargent (Do you have any money )

__________________________________________________________________________________

Making the Infinitive NegativeEarlier in this chapter in the ldquoForming the Negative with Inversionrdquo section I showyou the basic negative structure (ne + conjugated verb + negative word) That basicstructure doesnrsquot work if you want to make an infinitive negative If you want to sayfor example to be or not to be you have to put the ne and the pas together before theinfinitive Use this structure and you come up with Ecirctre ou ne pas ecirctre (To be or notto be) Note the negative in front of the following infinitives

Jrsquoespegravere ne pas oublier mes cleacutes (I hope not to forget my keys)

Il promet de ne pas fumer (He promises not to smoke)

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 85

Translate the following sentences into French Remember to make the infinitive nega-tive (I provide some helpful hints so that you can translate the sentence)

Q Nouspreacutefeacuteronssortir (We prefer not to go out)

A Nous preacutefeacuterons ne pas sortir

31 Ilspromettreboire (They promise not to drink)

__________________________________________________________________________________

32 Ilespeacutererecirctre en retard (He hopes not to be late)

__________________________________________________________________________________

33 Nousdeacutetesterpouvoiraider (We hate not to be able to help)

__________________________________________________________________________________

34 Turegretterecirctre en France (You regret not to be in France)

__________________________________________________________________________________

35 Jeessayerrire (I am trying not to laugh)

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 86

87Chapter 7 Using Verbs Correctly when Asking and Answering Questions

Answer KeyThe following section provides all the answers to the problems in this chapterCompare your answers to the correct answers to see how you did

a Comprenez-vous le film (Do you understand the film)

b Voyage-t-il souvent (Does he travel often)

c Cherches-tu tes cleacutes (Are you looking for your keys)

d Nettoie-t-elle la maison (Is she cleaning the house)

e Mangent-ils bien (Do they eat well)

f Mets-tu ton chapeau (Are you putting on your hat)

g Nous deacutepecircchons-nous (Are we hurrying)

h Boit-elle du vin (Is she drinking wine)

i Payons-nous lrsquoaddition (Are we paying the check)

j Achegravetent-ils un lecteur de CD (Are they buying a CD player)

k Faut-il faire de lrsquoexercice (Is it necessary to exercise)

l Pouvons-nous chanter (Can we sing)

m Veulent-ils aller au cineacutema (Do they want to go to the movies)

n Geacuteraldine va-t-elle voir ses amis cet apregraves-midi (Is Geacuteraldine going to see her friends this afternoon)

o Peux-tu conduire (Can you drive)

p Je ne nage pas bien (I donrsquot swim well)

q Ils ne comprennent pas la leccedilon (They donrsquot understand the lesson)

r Nous ne nous ennuyons pas (We arenrsquot bored)

s Elle nrsquoaime pas danser (She doesnrsquot like to dance)

t Tu ne crains pas les souris (You arenrsquot afraid of mice)

u Tu ne peux pas venir avec nous (You canrsquot come with us)

v Je nrsquoessaie pas les choux de Bruxelles (Irsquom not trying the Brussels sprouts)

w Nous nrsquoavons pas la motocyclette de Paul (We donrsquot have Paulrsquos motorcycle)

x Ce nrsquoest pas du fromage (It isnrsquot cheese)

y Elle ne va pas faire les courses (She isnrsquot going to run errands)

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 87

A Philippe ne prend-il pas de meacutedicaments (Doesnrsquot Philippe take medication)

B Ne reacuteussissent-ils pas aux eacutexamens (Donrsquot they pass the exams)

C Ne vas-tu pas voyager cet eacuteteacute (Arenrsquot you going to travel this summer)

D Nous ne rencontrons-nous pas souvent (Donrsquot we meet each other often)

E Nrsquoavez-vous pas drsquoargent (Donrsquot you have any money)

F Ils promettent de ne pas boire

G Il espegravere ne pas ecirctre en retard

H Nous deacutetestons ne pas pouvoir aider

I Tu regrettes de ne pas ecirctre en France

J Jrsquoessaie de ne pas rire

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 88

Chapter 8

Telling People What to Do The RegularIrregular and Pronominal Commands

In This Chapter Forming the imperative with regular and irregular verbs

Making the imperative negative

Including pronominal verbs in a command

Putting pronouns in the mix to make commands

How do you tell people what to do like bring you coffee clean your house go to themarket or even leave You can tell people to do all these things and more by using

the imperative mood more commonly known as the command

This chapter shows you how to transform regular irregular and pronominal verbs into com-mands as well as how to create negative commands Then I show you how to add pronounsto your commands

Forming Commands with Regular VerbsThe technical term for giving commands or orders is the imperative In this chapter I usethe terms interchangeably You give orders in English as well as in French by using theverb directly and eliminating the subject pronoun For example you may say Set the tableWash the dishes and so on In the following sections I show you how to form commandswith regular verbs

Making -er verbs into commandsThe commands come from the tu nous and vous forms of the present tense Note that thesubject pronouns are never used in the command just their verb forms In English youdonrsquot command someone by saying You speak Instead you simply say Speak Itrsquos the samein French

For all -er verbs (as well as the irregular verb aller [to go]) you drop the s from the tu formin the imperative

This rule also applies to irregular -ir verbs which are conjugated like regular -er verbs mdashlike ouvrir (to open) souffrir (to suffer) and offrir (to offer) The s reappears when the verbis followed by the pronouns y or en for pronunciation reasons Examples include Parles-en(Speak about it) Vas-y (Go there) and Offres-en (Offer some) However the s is droppedin the imperative negative Nrsquoen parle pas (Donrsquot speak about it) Nrsquoy va pas (Donrsquot go there)and Nrsquoen offre pas (Donrsquot offer any) The nous and vous forms donrsquot have any changes

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 89

Use the tu command when speaking to one person with whom yoursquore familiar You usethe vous command when speaking to one person with whom you arenrsquot familiar asuperior (like your boss or your professor) or someone older than you and whenyoursquore speaking to more than one person When you use the nous command yoursquoreincluding yourself in the group For example Allons au centre commercial (Letrsquos goto the mall)

Take a look at the verb parler (to speak) in Table 8-1 as an example of -er verbs

Table 8-1 Parler (to speak) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu parles Parle (Speak)

Nous parlons Parlons (Letrsquos speak)

Vous parlez Parlez (Speak)

Try putting some regular -er verbs in their three imperative forms tu nous and vousCheck out the example problem first

Q Chanter (to sing) _________________ _________________ _________________

A Chante (Sing) Chantons (Letrsquos sing) Chantez (Sing)

1 Arrecircter (to stop) _________________ _________________ _________________

2 Regarder (to watch) _________________ _________________ _________________

3 Eacutecouter (to listen) _________________ _________________ _________________

4 Deacutecider (to decide) _________________ _________________ _________________

5 Reacutepeacuteter (to repeat) _________________ _________________ _________________

Making -ir verbs into commandsRegular -ir verbs follow the same pattern in commands as the verbs that end in -erYou use the tu nous and vous forms of the verbs without the subject pronounsUnlike the -er verbs however you donrsquot drop the s from the verb in the tu formCheck out Table 8-2 for an example of -ir verbs in the imperative

Table 8-2 Finir (to finish) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu finis Finis (Finish)

Nous finissons Finissons (Letrsquos finish)

Vous finissez Finissez (Finish)

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 90

Put the following -ir verbs in the imperative form For each question write out the tunous and vous forms

Q Reacuteunir (to reunite) _________________ _________________ _________________

A Reacuteunis (Reunite) Reacuteunissons (Letrsquos reunite) Reacuteunissez (Reunite)

6 Choisir (to choose) _________________ _________________ _________________

7 Reacutefleacutechir (to think) _________________ _________________ _________________

8 Obeacuteir (to obey) _________________ _________________ _________________

9 Applaudir (to applaud) _________________ _________________ _________________

10 Reacuteussir (to succeed) _________________ _________________ _________________

Making -re verbs into commandsThe -re verbs are no different than the -ir and -re verbs in the command form Justtake the tu nous and vous forms of the present tense and drop the subject pro-nouns Take a look at Table 8-3 for an example -re verb

Table 8-3 Attendre (to wait) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu attends Attends (Wait)

Nous attendons Attendons (Letrsquos wait)

Vous attendez Attendez (Wait)

Try putting regular -re verbs in their imperative tu nous and vous forms

Q Deacutefendre (to defend) _________________ _________________ _________________

A Deacutefends (Defend) Deacutefendons (Letrsquos defend) Deacutefendez (Defend)

11 Descendre (to go downstairs) _________________ _________________ _________________

12 Reacutepondre (to answer) _________________ _________________ _________________

13 Vendre (to sell) _________________ _________________ _________________

14 Rendre (to give back) _________________ _________________ _________________

15 Entendre (to hear) _________________ _________________ _________________

91Chapter 8 Telling People What to Do The Regular Irregular and Pronominal Commands

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 91

Forming Commands with Irregular VerbsIrregular verbs work exactly the same way as regular verbs (see the previous sec-tion) All you have to worry about is remembering the conjugation of the irregularverbs and you can put them in the tu nous and vous forms (You can find the conju-gation of the irregular verbs in Chapter 4) Check out the examples in Table 8-4 andTable 8-5

Table 8-4 Prendre (to take) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu prends Prends (Take)

Nous prenons Prenons (Letrsquos take)

Vous prenez Prenez (Take)

Table 8-5 Lire (to read ) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu lis Lis (Read)

Nous lisons Lisons (Letrsquos read)

Vous lisez Lisez (Read)

As you can see even most irregular verbs have the same pattern as the regular verbsThat is you use their tu nous and vous present tense verb forms minus the subjectpronouns Try putting the following verbs in the imperative form

Q Eacutecrire (to write) _________________ _________________ _________________

A Eacutecris (Write) Eacutecrivons (Letrsquos write) Eacutecrivez (Write)

16 Faire (to do to make) _________________ _________________ _________________

17 Aller (to go) _________________ _________________ _________________

18 Sortir (to go out) _________________ _________________ _________________

19 Venir (to come) _________________ _________________ _________________

20 Dormir (to sleep) _________________ _________________ _________________

Four irregular verbs however also have irregular imperative forms which are not thesame as their present tenses Check out Tables 8-6 8-7 8-8 and 8-9 to see these verbs

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 92

Table 8-6 Avoir (to have) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu as Aie (Have )

Nous avons Ayons (Letrsquos have )

Vous avez Ayez (Have )

Table 8-7 Ecirctre (to be) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu es Sois (Be )

Nous sommes Soyons (Letrsquos be )

Vous ecirctes Soyez (Be )

Table 8-8 Savoir (to know) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu sais Sache (Know )

Nous savons Sachons (Letrsquos know )

Vous savez Sachez (Know )

Table 8-9 Vouloir (to want) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Imperative Form

Tu veux Veuille (Please )

Nous voulons Veuillons (Please )

Vous voulez Veuillez (Please )

For the verb vouloir you mostly use the veuillez form when giving commands andyou usually follow it with the infinitive This word is a polite way to give commandsand is often translated as please as it is with Veuillez entrer (Please come in) andVeuillez me suivre (Please follow me)

Put the following verbs in their imperative forms for the subject pronoun indicated inparentheses

Q Fermer la porte (nous)

A Fermons la porte (Letrsquos close the door)

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 93

21 Ecirctre gentil (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Obeacuteir agrave tes parents (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Manger (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

24 Faire vos devoirs (vous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

25 Avoir de la patience (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Creating the Negative ImperativeWhat if you want to tell people not to do something Imagine telling your little sisteryour child or even your dog not to do something For example you tell them donrsquotyell donrsquot run and donrsquot touch This section shows you how to use the negative com-mand In order to use the negative command just add ne before the imperative formand pas or any other negative expression after the imperative form (For more on thenegative look at Chapter 7) Check out the following examples

Ne parle pas (Donrsquot speak)

Ne parlons pas (Letrsquos not speak)

If the verb begins with a vowel or a mute h drop the e from ne and add an apostrophe

Nrsquoattends pas (Donrsquot wait)

Nrsquoattendons pas (Letrsquos not wait)

Note that when the infinitive is negative the ne and pas are placed together and theyprecede the infinitive

Veuillez ne pas fumer (Please donrsquot smoke)

Veuillez ne pas toucher (Please donrsquot touch)

Put the following verbs in the negative imperative for the tu nous or vous form asindicated in parentheses

Q Ne pas venir (vous) __________________________________

A Ne venez pas (Donrsquot come)

26 Ne pas commencer les devoirs (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 94

27 Ne pas dormir (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

28 Ne pas mettre les pieds sur la table (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 Ne pas aller au magasin (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 Ne pas teacuteleacutephoner agrave Marc (tu)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Using Pronominal Verbs to Make CommandsYou eliminate the subject pronouns in the imperative form but you still have to keepthe pronominal pronouns when yoursquore working with pronominal verbs (see Chapter 5for the lowdown on pronominal verbs) In the affirmative imperative the pronominalpronouns follow a verb-hyphen combination In the negative imperative the pronomi-nal pronouns precede the verb Note Ne precedes the pronouns and pas follows theverb Check out the following example in Table 8-10

Table 8-10 Se Lever (to get up) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Affirmative Imperative Negative Imperative

Tu te legraveves Legraveve-toi (Get up) Ne te legraveve pas (Donrsquot get up)

Nous nous levons Levons-nous (Letrsquos get up) Ne nous levons pas (Letrsquos not get up)

Vous vous levez Levez-vous (Get up) Ne vous levez pas (Donrsquot get up)

Note that the pronominal pronoun te becomes toi in the imperative affirmative butthen returns to being te in the negative If the verb begins with a vowel or a mute hdrop the e from te and add an apostrophe An example is the verb srsquohabiller (to getdressed) which you can see in Table 8-11 (Both se lever and srsquohabiller are -er verbsso remember to drop the s from the tu form of their present conjugation)

Table 8-11 Srsquohabiller (to get dressed) in the Imperative FormPresent Tense Affirmative Imperative Negative Imperative

Tu trsquohabilles Habille-toi Ne trsquohabille pas(Get dressed) (Donrsquot get dressed)

Nous nous habillons Habillons-nous Ne nous habillons pas(Letrsquos get dressed) (Letrsquos not get dressed)

Vous vous habillez Habillez-vous Ne vous habillez pas(Get dressed) (Donrsquot get dressed)

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 95

Now itrsquos your turn Put the following pronominal verbs in the three imperative formsfirst in the affirmative and then in the negative

Q Se maquiller (to put on makeup)

A (tu) Maquille-toi (Put on makeup) Ne te maquille pas (Donrsquot put on makeup)

(nous) Maquillons-nous (Letrsquos put on makeup) Ne nous maquillons pas (Letrsquos not puton makeup)

(vous) Maquillez-vous (Put on makeup) Ne vous maquillez pas (Donrsquot put on makeup)

31 Se coucher (to go to bed)

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

32 Se reacuteveiller (to wake up)

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

33 Se laver (to get washed)

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

34 Se brosser les dents (to brush onersquos teeth)

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

35 Se raser (to shave)

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

Adding Pronouns to CommandsIf you want to add pronouns to commands with comments such as take it give it tous or offer her some use the verb in the imperative affirmative and then the pronounand you join the two with a hyphen Use the following order separated by hyphens

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 96

Verb in the imperative- + direct object- + indirect object- + y- + en

You never use all these pronouns at once but you often use two of them and thischart shows the order you use them in For example to say give it to her put the verbin the imperative add a hyphen the direct object another hyphen and the indirectobject like so Donne-le-lui

Before you practice adding pronouns to commands you need to know the direct andindirect object pronouns Table 8-12 lists them with their English counterparts

Table 8-12 Direct and Indirect Object PronounsDirect Object Direct Object Indirect Object Indirect Object Pronoun (English) Pronoun (French) Pronoun (English) Pronoun (French)

me me to me me

you te to you te

himit (masculine singular) le to him lui

herit (feminine singular) la to her lui

us nous to us nous

you vous to you vous

them les to them leur

In the negative command the ne precedes the pronoun or pronouns and the pas oranother negative word follows the verb in the command form Check out the follow-ing examples of affirmative and negative imperatives with direct and indirect objectpronouns

Parle-lui (Speak to himher) Ne lui parle pas (Donrsquot speak to himher)

Finis-le (Finish it) Ne le finis pas (Donrsquot finish it)

Commenccedilons-la (Letrsquos begin it) Ne la commenccedilons pas (Letrsquos not begin it)

Eacutecrivez-nous (Write to us) Ne nous eacutecrivez pas (Donrsquot write to us)

The following are examples of both direct and indirect objects together Note that thedirect object precedes the indirect object and that me and te change to moi and toiwhen theyrsquore at the end of the imperative construction In the negative however theygo back to me and te Note You usually never have more than two pronouns in a sen-tence but Figure 8-1 shows the order the pronouns come in

Donnez-les-moi (Give them to me) Ne me les donnez pas (Donrsquot give them to me)

Envoyons-le-leur (Letrsquos send it to them) Ne le leur envoyons pas (Letrsquos not sendit to them)

Vends-les-nous (Sell them to us) Ne nous les vends pas (Donrsquot sell them to us)

ne + +

metese

nousvous

lelales

+ luileur + y + en + verb + pas

Figure 8-1The order ofpronouns forthe negativecommands

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 97

The pronoun y means there or in it and is a pronoun of place It replaces phrasesstarting with prepositions of place such as agrave en dans sur sous and agrave + noun(things not people) For example agrave + la musique means in music in the sentence Jemrsquointeacuteresse agrave la musique (I am interested in music) You replace agrave la musique with y

The pronoun en replaces the prepositions de du de lrsquo and des + noun and it meanssome any from there or of them depending on what itrsquos replacing

Offres-en (Offer some) Nrsquoen offre pas (Donrsquot offer any)

Prends-en (Take some) Nrsquoen prends pas (Donrsquot take any)

Allons-y (Letrsquos go [there]) Nrsquoy allons pas (Letrsquos not go [there])

Donrsquot forget to add the s to the tu form of -er verbs if the pronoun begins with a voweland the verb ends in a vowel However in the negative the s is dropped

Entres-y (Enter [there]) Nrsquoy entre pas (Donrsquot enter [there])

Check out these examples with more added pronouns

Mets-les-y (Put them there) Ne les y mets pas (Donrsquot put them there)

Parlez-lui-en (Speak to himher about it) Ne lui en parlez pas (Donrsquot speak tohimher about it)

Place-lrsquoy (Place it there) Ne lrsquoy place pas (Donrsquot place it there)

Translate the following sentences by putting the verb in the imperative form andadding the appropriate pronouns by looking at Table 8-12 (Remember that someverbs are transitive in French but intransitive in English and vice versa so check outChapter 1 if you need additional help)

Q Letrsquos ask him

A Demandons-lui

36 Finish them

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Letrsquos speak to them

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Go there

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Open it

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Close it

__________________________________________________________________________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 98

Answer KeyThis section provides the answers for all the problems in this chapter Compare youranswers to the correct ones How did you do Remember that some of these verbsusually appear with a noun so the literal translation may appear a bit odd

a Arrecircte (Stop) Arrecirctons (Letrsquos stop) Arrecirctez (Stop)

b Regarde (Watch) Regardons (Letrsquos watch) Regardez (Watch)

c Eacutecoute (Listen) Eacutecoutons (Letrsquos listen) Eacutecoutez (Listen)

d Deacutecide (Decide) Deacutecidons (Letrsquos decide) Deacutecidez (Decide)

e Reacutepegravete (Repeat) Reacutepeacutetons (Letrsquos repeat) Reacutepeacutetez (Repeat)

f Choisis (Choose) Choisissons (Letrsquos choose) Choisissez (Choose)

g Reacutefleacutechis (Think) Reacutefleacutechissons (Letrsquos think) Reacutefleacutechissez (Think)

h Obeacuteis (Obey) Obeacuteissons (Letrsquos obey) Obeacuteissez (Obey)

i Applaudis (Applaud) Applaudissons (Letrsquos applaud) Applaudissez (Applaud)

j Reacuteussis (Succeed) Reacuteussissons (Letrsquos succeed) Reacuteussissez (Succeed)

k Descends (Go down [the stairs]) Descendons (Letrsquos go down [the stairs]) Descendez(Go down [the stairs])

l Reacuteponds (Answer) Reacutepondons (Letrsquos answer) Reacutepondez (Answer)

m Vends (Sell) Vendons (Letrsquos sell) Vendez (Sell)

n Rends (Give back) Rendons (Letrsquos give back) Rendez (Give back)

o Entends (Hear) Entendons (Letrsquos hear) Entendez (Hear)

p Fais (Do) Faisons (Letrsquos do) Faites (Do)

q Va (Go) Allons (Letrsquos go) Allez (Go)

r Sors (Go out) Sortons (Letrsquos go out) Sortez (Go out)

s Viens (Come) Venons (Letrsquos come) Venez (Come)

t Dors (Sleep) Dormons (Letrsquos sleep) Dormez (Sleep)

u Sois gentil (Be nice)

v Obeacuteis agrave tes parents (Obey your parents)

w Mangeons (Letrsquos eat)

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 99

x Faites vos devoirs (Do your homework)

y Aie de la patience (Have patience)

A Ne commenccedilons pas les devoirs (Letrsquos not begin the homework)

B Ne dors pas (Donrsquot sleep)

C Ne mets pas les pieds sur la table (Donrsquot put your feet on the table)

D Nrsquoallons pas au magasin (Letrsquos not go to the store)

E Ne teacuteleacutephone pas agrave Marc (Donrsquot call Marc)

F (tu) Couche-toi (Go to bed) Ne te couche pas (Donrsquot go to bed)

(nous) Couchons-nous (Letrsquos go to bed) Ne nous couchons pas (Letrsquos not go to bed)

(vous) Couchez-vous (Go to bed) Ne vous couchez pas (Donrsquot go to bed)

G (tu) Reacuteveille-toi (Wake up) Ne te reacuteveille pas (Donrsquot wake up)

(nous) Reacuteveillons-nous (Letrsquos wake up) Ne nous reacuteveillons pas (Letrsquos not wake up)

(vous) Reacuteveillez-vous (Wake up) Ne vous reacuteveillez pas (Donrsquot wake up)

H (tu) Lave-toi (Wash yourself) Ne te lave pas (Donrsquot wash yourself)

(nous) Lavons-nous (Letrsquos wash ourselves) Ne nous lavons pas (Letrsquos not wash ourselves)

(vous) Lavez-vous (Wash yourselfyourselves) Ne vous lavez pas (Donrsquot wash yourselfyourselves)

I (tu) Brosse-toi les dents (Brush your teeth) Ne te brosse pas les dents (Donrsquot brush your teeth)

(nous) Brossons-nous les dents (Letrsquos brush our teeth) Ne nous brossons pas les dents(Letrsquos not brush our teeth)

(vous) Brossez-vous les dents (Brush your teeth) Ne vous brossez pas les dents (Donrsquot brushyour teeth)

J (tu) Rase-toi (Shave) Ne te rase pas (Donrsquot shave)

(nous) Rasons-nous (Letrsquos shave) Ne nous rasons pas (Letrsquos not shave)

(vous) Rasez-vous (Shave) Ne vous rasez pas (Donrsquot shave)

K Finis-les Or Finissez-les

L Parlons-leur

M Vas-y Or Allez-y

N Ouvre-lela Or Ouvrez-lela

O Ferme-lela Or Fermez-lela

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 100

Chapter 9

Looking Forward and Back The Immediate Future and Past

In This Chapter Forming the immediate future

Forming the immediate past

Using prepositions with verbs of coming and going

The two types of future tense are the simple future which I discuss in Chapter 15 and theimmediate future which I talk about in this chapter Although the two types of future

tenses can be and are used interchangeably you use the immediate future to express some-thing that yoursquore going to do pretty soon in the future as the name indicates Similarly to theimmediate future the immediate past expresses actions that yoursquove just done For exampleI have just taken a test or She has just eaten In this chapter I show you how to form theimmediate future and the immediate past

Creating the Immediate Future TenseIn order to form the immediate future conjugate the verb aller (to go) in the present tenseand add the infinitive of a verb of your choice Because aller is an irregular verb check outthe following conjugations in the present tense to refresh your memory

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

Now add an infinitive to form the immediate future The following examples show you howto do it

Je vais lire (Irsquom going to read)

Nous allons sortir (We are going to go out)

To construct the immediate future with pronominal verbs place the pronominal pronounwhich agrees with the subject before the infinitive

Je vais me promener dans le parc (Irsquom going to walk in the park)

Elle va se reposer (She is going to rest)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 101

In order to make the immediate future negative simply place ne before the conjugatedaller and pas or any other negative word you want to use after the conjugated verb

Nous nrsquoallons pas voyager cet eacuteteacute (We are not going to travel this summer)

Now take the time to try it Work through the following practice problems and conju-gate the verb so that the sentence is in the immediate future tense

Q Je dors (I am sleeping)

A Je vais dormir (I am going to sleep)

1 Il mange

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Nous nageons

__________________________________________________________________________________

3 Tu ne travailles pas

__________________________________________________________________________________

4 Les clients paient

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Elle se maquille

__________________________________________________________________________________

Creating the Immediate Past TenseJust like the immediate future (see the previous section) you also have an immediatepast tense which you use when yoursquove just done something Form the immediatepast tense with the verb venir conjugated in the present tense the preposition deand the infinitive (venir de + infinitive) (Note that the immediate future has nopreposition in front of the infinitive but the immediate past does) Venir by itselfmeans to come but when itrsquos followed by de + infinitive it means to have just donesomething I conjugate venir in the present tense for you in the following table

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

Nous venons drsquoacheter les billets (We have just bought the tickets)

How do you construct the immediate past with pronominal verbs (Check outChapter 5 for a complete discussion on pronominal verbs in the present tense)Just place the pronominal pronoun before the infinitive like so

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 102

Je viens de me reacuteveiller (I just woke up)

Elle vient de se coucher (She has just gone to bed)

In order to make the immediate past negative simply place ne before the conjugatedverb (venir) and pas or any other negative word you want to use after the conju-gated verb

Ils ne viennent pas de manger (They have not just eaten)

Transform the following sentences from the present to the immediate past as in theexample If the sentence is negative keep it negative in your answer

Q Nous jouons au tennis (We are playing tennis)

A Nous venons de jouer au tennis (We have just played tennis)

6 Il se coupe les cheveux

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Vous attendez

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Je pleure

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 Je me mets agrave travailler

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Elle se coiffe

__________________________________________________________________________________

Going and Coming with Aller and VenirHow do you go to the movies or the market and most importantly how do you comeback from these and other places Well you use the same verbs you did to form theimmediate future and the immediate past (see the two previous sections) but theyrsquorefollowed by nouns instead of by infinitives In this section I show you what preposi-tions to use to get to where you are going aller (to go) and what prepositions you useto come back venir (to come)

Going to and coming backGo anywhere you want to go by adding the preposition agrave to aller thus forming aller agrave(to go to)

Je vais au cineacutema (I am going to the movies)

103Chapter 9 Looking Forward and Back The Immediate Future and Past

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 103

The preposition agrave contracts with the definite article le (masculine singular) to formau and with the plural les to form aux It doesnrsquot contract with the feminine singularla or with the lrsquo

Tu vas agrave la banque (You are going to the bank)

Now that you can go anywhere in town how do you get back You get back with theverb venir and the preposition de which means to come (back) from

Je viens du marcheacute (Irsquom coming back from the market)

Elle vient de lrsquoeacutecole (Shersquos coming back from school)

The same types of transformations occur with the preposition de as with the preposi-tion agrave The two contractions are de + le which form du and de + les which form desTable 9-1 shows you a list of the two prepositions with the definite articles so thatyou can keep track of them when you use them

Table 9-1 Combining Definite Articles and PrepositionsPreposition Definite Article Combined Form

agrave le au

agrave la agrave la

agrave lrsquo agrave lrsquo

agrave les aux

de le du

de la de la

de lrsquo de lrsquo

de les des

Before you work on the practice problems review this list of places around town thatyou can go to and come back from

lrsquoaeacuteroport (the airport)

la banque (the bank)

la bibliothegraveque (the library)

la boicircte de nuit (the nightclub)

la boulangerie (the bakery)

le cafeacute (the cafeacute)

le centre commercial (the mall)

le cineacutema (the movies)

le club (the club)

le collegravege (middle school)

lrsquoeacutecole (the school)

lrsquoeacuteglise (the church)

lrsquoeacutepicerie (the grocery store)

la gare (the train station)

le grand magasin (the department store)

lrsquohocirctel (the hotel)

la librairie (the bookstore)

le lyceacutee (high school)

le magasin (the store)

la maison (the house)

le marcheacute (the market)

le museacutee (the museum)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 104

Go to the following places and come back by conjugating the verbs aller in the firstsentence and venir in the second sentence Make sure you add the correct preposi-tions Check out the example I provide the translations in the Answer Key

Q Il _________________ le lyceacutee

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Il va au lyceacutee (He is going to high school)

Il vient du lyceacutee (He is coming back from high school)

11 Nous _________________ le magasin

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ la pharmacie

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Ma sœur _________________ le centre commercial

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Papa _________________ la gare

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ la librairie

__________________________________________________________________________________

Going to and coming fromIf you want to get out of town and go to Morocco or Australia for example you needthe verbs aller and venir again All you have to do is change the prepositions To goto any city use the preposition agrave + the name of the city To come back use the prepo-sition de + the name of the city Most islands follow this rule as well

Je vais agrave Bruxelles (I am going to Brussels)

Je viens de Bruxelles (I comeam coming from Brussels)

Je vais agrave Hawaii (I am going to Hawaii)

Je viens drsquoHawaii (I comeam coming from Hawaii)

lrsquoopeacutera (the opera)

la pharmacie (the pharmacy)

la piscine (the swimming pool)

la plage (the beach)

la poste (the post office)

le restaurant (the restaurant)

le stade (the stadium)

le supermarcheacute (the supermarket)

le theacuteacirctre (the theater)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 105

Countries provinces and states are divided into masculine feminine and pluralnouns What determines gender for these geographic areas is a matter of spellingAside from some exceptions countries provinces and states that end in an e orbegin with a vowel are considered feminine and they use the prepositions en (to inat) and de (from) Those that donrsquot end in an e or that begin with a consonant are con-sidered masculine and they use the prepositions au (to in at) and du (from)For plural countries like the United States use aux (to in at) and des (from)

Nous allons en France (We are going to France)

Nous venons de France (We are coming from France)

Tu vas au Canada (You are going to Canada)

Tu viens du Canada (You are coming from Canada)

Il va aux Pays-Bas (He is going to the Netherlands)

Il vient des Pays-Bas (Hersquos coming from the Netherlands)

Table 9-2 puts everything together

Table 9-2 Prepositions to Use for Going and ComingLocation Prepositions Examples of Prepositions Examples of

for Going to Going Verbs for Coming Coming Verbsor Being in from

Cities and agrave Je vais agrave Paris de Je viens de Parisislands Je vais agrave Tahiti Je viens de Tahiti

Countries en Je vais en Gregravece de Je viens de Gregravecestates Je vais en Californie Je viens de Californieprovinces and Je vais en Normandie Je viens de Normandiecontinents that end in e or begin with a vowel

Countries au Je vais au Canada du Je viens du Canadastates and Je vais au Texas Je viens du Texasprovinces that Je vais au Queacutebec Je viens du Queacutebecbegin with a consonant

Plural countries aux Je vais aux Eacutetats-Unis des Je viens des Eacutetats-UnisJe vais aux Pays-Bas Je viens des Pays-Bas

Table 9-2 shows the general rules for verbs of coming and going but some exceptionsdo exist Some cities have an article in conjunction with the preposition For exampleif you want to say I am going to or am in New Orleans Mans Havre and Cairo yousay agrave la Nouvelle Orleacuteans au Mans au Havre au Caire And if yoursquore coming fromthese places de la Nouvelle Orleacuteans du Mans du Havre du Caire Also somecountries do end in an e but are considered masculine For example if you go to orare in Mexico you say au Mexique and coming back from Mexico is du Mexique

Form sentences by conjugating the verbs and putting in the correct preposition I pro-vide the translations in the Answer Key

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 106

Q Nous __________________________________ (allerIrlande)

A Nous allons en Irlande (We are going to Ireland)

16 Mes parents __________________________________ (allerTunisie)

17 Tu __________________________________ (allerSuisse)

18 Nous __________________________________ (venirSeacuteneacutegal)

19 Mon assistante __________________________________ (venirSan Francisco)

20 Vous __________________________________ (venirChine)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 107

Answer KeyThis section contains the answers for all the practice problems in this chapterCompare your answers to see how well you did

a Il va manger (He is going to eat)

b Nous allons nager (We are going to swim)

c Tu ne vas pas travailler (You are not going to work)

d Les clients vont payer (The clients are going to pay)

e Elle va se maquiller (She is going to put on makeup)

f Il vient de se couper les cheveux (He has just cut his hair)

g Vous venez drsquoattendre (You have just waited)

h Je viens de pleurer (I have just cried)

i Je viens de me mettre agrave travailler (I have just begun to work)

j Elle vient de se coiffer (She has just done her hair)

k Nous allons au magasin (We are going to the store)

Nous venons du magasin (We are coming back from the store)

l Ils vont agrave la pharmacie (They are going to the drugstore)

Ils viennent de la pharmacie (They are coming back from the drugstore)

m Ma sœur va au centre commercial (My sister is going to the mall)

Ma sœur vient du centre commercial (My sister is coming back from the mall)

n Papa va agrave la gare (Dad is going to the train station)

Papa vient de la gare (Dad is coming from the train station)

o Tu vas agrave la librairie (You are going to the bookstore)

Tu viens de la librarie (You are coming back from the bookstore)

p Mes parents vont en Tunisie (My parents are going to Tunisia)

q Tu vas en Suisse (You are going to Switzerland)

r Nous venons du Seacuteneacutegal (We are coming back from Senegal)

s Mon assistante vient de San Francisco (My assistant comes from San Francisco)

t Vous venez de Chine (You come from China)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 108

Chapter 10

Correctly Using Often Misused Verbs in Daily Conversation

In This Chapter Knowing the verbs connaicirctre and savoir

Identifying the differences between jouer agrave and jouer de

Forming expressions with avoir

Understanding how to use faire

Every language has different ways of saying things and of expressing yourself that canrsquotbe translated into another language word for word French is no exception For instance

the phrases How are you doing or How are you are expressed in French not by the verbsfaire (to do to make) or ecirctre (to be) but by the verb aller (to go) To ask these questions inFrench you say Comment allez-vous or Comment vas-tu

In this chapter I focus on some verbs that have the same meaning in English but differentusage in French You want to make sure you use the right verb so that people know whatyoursquore talking about I also cover two common verbs avoir (to have) and faire (to do tomake) and how you can correctly utilize these verbs in your conversations (You can alsocheck out Chapter 23 which focuses on ten often-misused verbs)

Knowing the Difference between Connaicirctre and Savoir

French has two verbs that mean to know One is connaicirctre and the other is savoir Eventhough the English language translates them the same the French language uses them indifferent circumstances In this section I show you how to use each verb Both verbs areirregular

connaicirctre (to know)

je connais nous connaissons

tu connais vous connaissez

ilelleon connaicirct ilselles connaissent

Je connais Aix-en-Provence (I know Aix-en-Provence)

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 109

savoir (to know)

je sais nous savons

tu sais vous savez

ilelleon sait ilselles savent

Nous savons la date de ton anniversaire (We know your birthday)

So are you wondering what the differences are between the two verbs Well you usethe two verbs with different types of information For example use connaicirctre whenyou mean to know or to be acquainted with a person a place or a thing Meanwhileuse savoir when you mean to know a fact to know something by heart or to know specific information such as a telephone number an address or someonersquos name

You can also use savoir with the clauses in Table 10-1

Table 10-1 Clauses That Use Savoir (to know)Common Clause Translation Example Translation

savoir agrave quelle to know (at) Je sais agrave quelle I know (at) what time he is heure what time heure il va venir going to come

savoir combien to know Je sais combien I know how much that how much ccedila coucircte costs

savoir comment to know how Je sais comment I know how to conjugate conjuguer connaicirctre connaicirctre

savoir ougrave to know where Je sais ougrave est la I know where the class isclasse

savoir pourquoi to know why Je sais pourquoi I know why Henri is lateHenri est en retard

savoir quand to know when Je sais quand le I know when the train is train part leaving

savoir que to know that Je sais que tu aimes I know that you like le chocolat chocolate

savoir quel quelle to know which Je sais quelle heure I know what time it isquels quelles il est

savoir qui to know who Je sais qui est lagrave I know who is there

savoir si to know if Je sais si tu I know if yoursquore watching TVregardes la teacuteleacute

To say I know or I donrsquot know you simply say Je sais or Je ne sais pas

You can also follow savoir with an infinitive but you canrsquot do that with connaicirctreIn this way savoir means to know how to do something For example Tu sais parlerfranccedilais means You know how to speak French and Nous savons faire du ski meansWe know how to ski

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 110

Which verb connaicirctre or savoir do you use in the following sentences Conjugatethe verbs and translate the sentences

Q Les enfants _________________ compter en franccedilais

A Les enfants savent compter en franccedilais (The children know how to count in French)

1 Est-ce que tu _________________ New York

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Marie ne _________________ pas parler japonais

__________________________________________________________________________________

3 Nous _________________ ougrave il habite

__________________________________________________________________________________

4 Ils ne _________________ pas la famille du professeur

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Vous _________________ conduire

__________________________________________________________________________________

Identifying What to PlayJouer is a regular -er verb that is used with different prepositions in order to conveyeither playing a sport or playing a musical instrument More specifically jouer agrave is usedwith sports and jouer de with instruments If the sport or instrument is masculinemake the necessary contractions agrave + le = au de + le = du See the following examples

Je joue au tennis (I play tennis)

Je joue du piano (I play the piano)

Check out Table 10-2 for playing other sports and games or playing other instruments

Table 10-2 The Different Ways to PlayJouer agrave (+ sports or games) Jouer de (+ instruments)

Je joue au basket(ball) (I play basketball) Je joue du saxophone (I play the saxophone)

Je joue au foot (I play soccer) Je joue du violon (I play the violin)

Je joue au volley (I play volleyball) Je joue de la batterie (I play the drums)

Je joue au golf (I play golf) Je joue de la flucircte (I play the flute)

Je joue au hockey (I play hockey) Je joue de la guitare (I play the guitar)

Je joue au bridge (I play bridge) Je joue de la trompette (I play the trumpet)

(continued)

111Chapter 10 Correctly Using Often Misused Verbs in Daily Conversation

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 111

Table 10-2 (continued)Jouer agrave (+ sports or games) Jouer de (+ instruments)

Je joue aux cartes (I play cards) Je joue du violoncelle (I play the cello)

Je joue aux dames (I play checkers) Je joue de la basse (I play bass)

Je joue aux eacutechecs (I play chess) Je joue de la clarinette (I play the clarinet)

In the negative the prepositions agrave au agrave la agrave lrsquo and aux donrsquot change However dude la de lrsquo and des do change to de or drsquo after the negative such as Je ne joue pasde piano which means I donrsquot play the piano

Now itrsquos your turn Conjugate the verb jouer (to play) and provide the correct prepo-sitions Translate the following sentences

Q Mon pegravere _________________ (jouer) golf

A Mon pegravere joue au golf My father plays golf

6 Georges _________________ (jouer) violon

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Ils _________________ (ne pas jouer) batterie

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Je _________________ (jouer) eacutechecs

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 Mon fregravere _________________ (jouer) guitare

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Les enfants _________________ (jouer) basketball

__________________________________________________________________________________

Keeping Avoir and Faire in LineFrench has two very important verbs avoir (to have) and faire (to do to make) thatare responsible for many sentence formations From these two simple verbs you canform dozens of everyday expressions

This section looks at each verb avoir and faire and helps you with any questionsyou may have I show you the correct conjugations (you can also find them inChapter 4) as well as several common expressions formed with these two verbs

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 112

Using avoirThe verb avoir is very versatile in French and has several meanings in English This verbis living proof that translating literally from one language to another doesnrsquot alwayswork Check out the conjugation in the present tense

avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

Ils ont trois enfants (They have three children)

In French one isnrsquot a certain age but has a certain age Therefore the question Howold are you is What age do you have In French if someone asks you Quel acircge as-tuavez-vous (How old are you) you respond as follows Jrsquoai (your age) ans For exam-ple Jrsquoai vingt ans (I am 20 years old)

Check out Table 10-3 for other important avoir expressions

Table 10-3 Important Avoir ExpressionsAvoir Expression Translation

avoir faim to be hungry

avoir soif to be thirsty

avoir sommeil to be sleepy

avoir tort (de) to be wrong

avoir raison (de) to be right

avoir chaud to be hot

avoir froid to be cold

avoir peur (de) to be afraid (of)

avoir besoin de to need

avoir envie de to want to feel like

avoir lrsquointention de to have the intention of

avoir lrsquohabitude de to be accustomed to to be used to

avoir lrsquooccasion de to have the chance to to have the opportunity to

avoir de la chance to be lucky

avoir honte (de) to be ashamed of

avoir mal (agrave + a part of the body) to ache to have pain in a part of the body

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 113

You can use the expressions in Table 10-3 with the preposition de in parenthesesalone or followed by an infinitive or a noun For example Jrsquoai tort means I am wrongand Jrsquoai tort de mentir means I am wrong to lie When these expressions are followedby an infinitive you must use the preposition de in front of the infinitive as in the fol-lowing examples

Jrsquoai lrsquooccasion de voyager cet eacuteteacute (I have the chancethe opportunity to travel thissummer)

Nous avons lrsquohabitude de sortir le samedi soir (We are used [accustomed] togoing out Saturday evenings)

Avoir besoin de and avoir envie de can be followed by an infinitive or a noun Ineither case the preposition de is necessary before the infinitive or the noun

Tu as besoin drsquoeacutetudier (You need to study)

Jrsquoai envie de chanter (I feel like singing)

Jrsquoai envie de chocolat (I feel like chocolate)

To make these expressions negative add ne before the verb and pas or another nega-tive word after it

Je nrsquoai pas envie de chanter (I donrsquot feel like singing)

You can also add adverbs to these sentences Check out French For Dummies by Dodi-Katrin Schmidt Michelle M Williams and Dominique Wenzel (Wiley) for more specificinformation about French grammar

The expression avoir mal is the only one from the list in Table 10-3 thatrsquos followed bythe preposition agrave Conjugate the verb avoir in the present and add mal the preposi-tion agrave and the part of the body thatrsquos hurting now For example if you have a back-ache you say Jrsquoai mal au dos The preposition agrave is followed by the part of the bodythat is hurting along with the definite article

Jrsquoai mal aux pieds (My feet hurt)

Jrsquoai mal agrave lrsquoeacutepaule (My shoulder hurts)

Now translate some of these expressions into French

Q He doesnrsquot feel like going out

A Il nrsquoa pas envie de sortir

11 We are thirsty

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 They are right

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 You need to read

__________________________________________________________________________________

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 114

14 Michael is lucky

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Her head hurts

__________________________________________________________________________________

Trying faireAnother important verb used in many common expressions is faire (to do to make)You need to know how to correctly use it because itrsquos very versatile and can be usedto express playing both an instrument and a sport without switching prepositionsThis section shows you how to conjugate it and then provides numerous expressionsusing this verb

tu fais vous faites

Il fait du tennis (He plays tennis)

Table 10-4 shows many of the ways that you can use faire when talking about sportsas well as instruments When you use faire with sports and instruments rememberthat it has the same meaning as the verb jouer agrave or de (to play) These two verbs areused interchangeably However remember to use the correct prepositions Unlikejouer faire is followed by the preposition de whether yoursquore talking about a sport oran instrument

Table 10-4 Using Faire with Sports and InstrumentsFaire Expression Translation

faire de lrsquoalpinisme to mountain climb

faire de la planche agrave voile to windsurf

faire de la voile to sail sailing

faire des randonneacutees to hike

faire du baseball to play baseball

faire du foot football to play soccer

faire du football ameacuterican to play football

faire du karateacute to do karate

faire du ski to ski

faire du tennis to play tennis

(continued)

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 115

Table 10-4 (continued)Faire Expression Translation

faire du veacutelo to ride a bike

faire du volley to play volleyball

faire de la batterie to play the drums

faire de la flucircte to play the flute

faire de la guitare to play the guitar

faire de la trompette to play the trumpet

faire du piano to play the piano

faire du saxophone to play the saxophone

faire du violon to play the violin

In addition to sports and instruments you can also use faire in other ways Table 10-5shows many common expressions that utilize faire

Table 10-5 Faire in Everyday ConversationFaire Expression Translation

faire attention to pay attention

faire la connaissance de to make someonersquos acquaintance

faire la cuisine to cook to do the cooking

faire la grasse matineacutee to sleep in late

faire la lessive to do laundry

faire la liste to make a list

faire la queue to form a line to wait in line

faire la sieste to take a nap

faire la vaisselle to do the dishes

faire le marcheacute to do the shopping

faire le meacutenage to do the housework

faire les courses to run errands to do the shopping

faire les devoirs to do the homework

faire les provisions to do the grocery shopping

faire les valisesbagages to pack

faire un voyage to take a trip

faire une promenade to take a walkstroll

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 116

Translate the following sentences and correctly conjugate faire in the appropriateform Remember that some may have more than one answer (I provide the mostcommon answer in the answer key)

Q The baby is taking a nap

A Le beacutebeacute fait la sieste

16 My mother does the cooking

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 The children do the dishes

__________________________________________________________________________________

18 I play tennis

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 We pay attention

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 You sleep in late

__________________________________________________________________________________

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 117

Answer KeyThis section contains all the answers for the practice problems in this chapterCompare your answers to the correct answers to see how you fared

a Est-ce que tu connais New York Do you know New York

b Marie ne sait pas parler japonais Marie doesnrsquot know how to speak Japanese

c Nous savons ougrave il habite We know where he lives

d Ils ne connaissent pas la famille du professeur They donrsquot know the professorrsquos family

e Vous savez conduire You know how to drive

f Georges joue du violon Georges plays the violin

g Ils ne jouent pas de batterie They donrsquot play the drums

h Je joue aux eacutechecs I play chess

i Mon fregravere joue de la guitare My brother plays the guitar

j Les enfants jouent au basketball The children play basketball

k Nous avons soif

l Ils ont raison

m Tu as besoin de lire

n Michael a de la chance

o Elle a mal agrave la tecircte

p Ma megravere fait la cuisine

q Les enfants font la vaisselle

r Je fais du tennis

s Nous faisons attention

t Tu fais la grasse matineacutee

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 118

Part IIITaking a Look Back

The Past Tenses

16_773883 pt03qxp 72806 843 PM Page 119

In this part

Humankind canrsquot live on bread alone and a languageisnrsquot nearly as interesting or as complete if it has only

one tense Think of the confusion just one tense couldcause mdash how would you tell your friends whether yoursquorewaiting for them at the restaurant now will be waiting forthem later or were waiting for them earlier In this partyou look at how to form the many past tenses in Frenchthe imperfect the passeacute composeacute (compound past) thepluperfect and the passeacute simple (the simple past) You canuse these past tenses to recount or describe events inthe past such as your childhood your high school promyour familyrsquos last vacation or even the movie you saw lastweekend Sometimes you may even want to explain thesequence of past events those that happened prior to otherpast events Thatrsquos why you need all those different pasttenses all of which are introduced in this part one by oneSo go ahead reminisce You can do it with the past tenses

16_773883 pt03qxp 72806 843 PM Page 120

Imperfect Tense Verb Endings

je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

ilelleon -ait ilselles -aient

Chapter 11

No Tense Is Perfect The Imperfect Tense

In This Chapter Forming the imperfect with regular irregular and pronominal verbs

Using the imperfect tense

D o you ever get nostalgic about the past Do you want to be able to say what you usedto do when you were a child to describe a wonderful family tradition or to recall how

blue the sky was on your favorite vacation Well you can with the imperfect tense You usethe imperfect tense to describe a continuous or habitual action in the past or an action thatyou did a nonspecific number of times The English translation of the imperfect is was doingsomething used to do something or would do something in the past Note One of the transla-tions of the imperfect tense in English is would However this translation isnrsquot the same asthe would of the conditional tense which expresses the present and the future An exampleof the would in the imperfect is Quand jrsquohabitais agrave Paris je prenais souvent le meacutetro (When Ilived in Paris I would often take the train) (See Chapter 17 for more on the conditional tense)

This chapter shows you how to form the imperfect tense for regular irregular and pronomi-nal verbs as well as the many ways you can correctly use the tense

Making Regular Verbs ImperfectThe imperfect is a simple tense to form the verb is conjugated by itself without an auxiliaryThe stem for the imperfect comes from the nous form of the present tense of the verbminus the -ons This rule applies to all regular irregular and pronominal -er -ir and -reverbs (Check out Chapters 2 3 4 and 5 for more about the present tense) Only one verbecirctre (to be) is irregular in the imperfect tense the stem is eacutet (check out ldquoThe one true irreg-ular imperfect verb mdash ecirctrerdquo later in this chapter) However the endings are all the sameeven for this irregular verb The imperfect endings are as follows

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 121

So the imperfect tense conjugations for a regular verb are as follows

parler (to speak)

Present-tense nous form parlons

je parlais nous parlions

tu parlais vous parliez

ilelleon parlait ilselles parlaient

Il parlait agrave ses parents (He was speaking to his parents)

finir (to finish)

Present-tense nous form finissons

je finissais nous finissions

tu finissais vous finissiez

ilelleon finissait ilselles finissaient

Je finissais mon deacutejeuner (I was finishing my lunch)

vendre (to sell)

Present-tense nous form vendons

je vendais nous vendions

tu vendais vous vendiez

ilelleon vendait ilselles vendaient

Nous vendions notre maison (We were selling our house)

Pronominal verbs donrsquot pose a problem either Just remember to add the pronominalpronouns (see Chapter 5 for a refresher on pronominal verbs) The stem and the end-ings are the same as those of the nonpronominal verbs

se promener (to take a walka stroll)

Present-tense nous form nous nous promenons

je me promenais nous nous promenions

tu te promenais vous vous promeniez

ilelleon se promenait ilselles se promenaient

Je me promenais chaque jour (I wouldused to take a walk every day)

122 Part III Taking a Look Back The Past Tense

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 122

Now itrsquos your turn to try Conjugate the following verbs into the imperfect tense

Q Tu _________________ (chercher) les enfants

A Tu cherchais les enfants (You were looking forwere picking up the children)

2 Mes parents nous _________________ (punir)

3 Corinne _________________ (chanter) bien

4 Je _________________ (perdre) toujours mes cleacutes

5 Vous _________________ (travailler) beaucoup

6 Les enfants _________________ (se coucher) agrave 8 heures

7 Philippe _________________ (marcher) six kilomegravetres

8 Nous _________________ (se reacuteunir) reacuteguliegraverement

9 Tu _________________ (arriver) agrave lrsquoheure

10 Je _________________ (choisir) le train

Forming the Imperfect with Irregular VerbsUnlike many of the other tenses irregular verbs (see Chapter 4) arenrsquot irregular in theimperfect tense In fact even the irregular verbs are regular in the imperfect tensealbeit with one major exception This section focuses on the regular irregular verbs aswell as the true irregular verb in the imperfect tense

To create the imperfect tense of irregular verbs simply take their nous form drop the-ons and add the appropriate endings -ais -ais -ait -ions -iez and -aient Check outTable 11-1 which lists several verbs in their nous form

Table 11-1 Nous Forms of Irregular VerbsInfinitive Nous form Stem

aller (to go) Nous allons all

avoir (to have) Nous avons av

boire (to drink) Nous buvons buv

craindre (to fear) Nous craignons craign

croire (to believe) Nous croyons croy

(continued)

123Chapter 11 No Tense Is Perfect The Imperfect Tense

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 123

Table 11-1 (continued)devoir (to owe to have to must) Nous devons dev

dire (to say) Nous disons dis

eacutecrire (to write) Nous eacutecrivons eacutecriv

faire (to do to make) Nous faisons fais

lire (to read) Nous lisons lis

mettre (to put to place) Nous mettons mett

ouvrir (to open) Nous ouvrons ouvr

partir (to leave) Nous partons part

pouvoir (to be able to) Nous pouvons pouv

prendre (to take) Nous prenons pren

recevoir (to receive) Nous recevons recev

venir (to come) Nous venons ven

voir (to see) Nous voyons voy

vouloir (to want to) Nous voulons voul

Il pouvait travailler (He was able to work)

Conjugate the following verbs into the imperfect tense

Q Les eacutetudiants _________________ (dire) la veacuteriteacute

A Les eacutetudiants disaient la veacuteriteacute (The students were telling the truth)

11 Nous _________________ (prendre) des notes

12 Je _________________ (sortir) tous les soirs

13 Vous _________________ (lire) des romans

14 Les enfants _________________ (craindre) des moustiques

15 Tu _________________ (boire) du vin

16 Nous _________________ (srsquoeacutecrire) quelquefois

17 Mathilde _________________ (faire) des eacutetudes

18 Vous _________________ (croire) aux contes de feacutees

19 Je _________________ (recevoir) des cadeaux

20 Nous _________________ (vouloir) partir

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 124

ldquoEyeingrdquo verb stemsWhat if the stem of the verb in the nous form ends in an i like eacutetudier (to study) rire(to smile) or crier (to scream) Just keep the i and add the endings Doing so maylook funny to native English speakers especially in the nous and vous forms in theimperfect but the rules of the imperfect never change Look at the following example

eacutetudier (to study)

Present-tense nous form eacutetudions

jrsquoeacutetudiais nous eacutetudiions

tu eacutetudiais vous eacutetudiiez

ilelleon eacutetudiait ilselles eacutetudiaient

Il eacutetudiait (He was studying)

Working with -cer and -ger verbsVerbs that end in -cer and -ger also have imperfect forms These imperfect forms use thesame endings (from the present-tense nous form) as other imperfect verbs but you haveto remember the rules that you use for the present tense To make their nous form forthe -cer verbs you need to add the cedilla on the c and for the -ger verbs you add the ebefore the ons In Chapter 3 I explain why and when the cedilla and the e are added tothe present tense In the imperfect the pronunciations of the c and the g arenrsquot affectedwhen followed by an i but are affected when followed by an a How does this affectthe imperfect form of these types of verbs Check out the following examples

Present-tense nous form commenccedilons

je commenccedilais nous commencions

tu commenccedilais vous commenciez

ilelleon commenccedilait ilselles commenccedilaient

Nous commencions agrave jouer (We were beginning to play)

manger (to eat)

Present-tense nous form mangeons

je mangeais nous mangions

tu mangeais vous mangiez

ilelleon mangeait ilselles mangeaient

Ils mangeaient des croissants chaque jour (They would eat croissants every day)

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 125

The one true irregular imperfect verb mdash ecirctreOnly one French verb has an irregular stem ecirctre (to be) The stem of ecirctre isnrsquotderived from its nous form but from the stem eacutet Its endings however are regular

ecirctre (to be)

jrsquoeacutetais nous eacutetions

tu eacutetais vous eacutetiez

ilelleon eacutetait ilselles eacutetaient

Elle eacutetait occupeacutee (She was busy)

Put the verbs in parentheses in the imperfect tense

Q Ils _________________ (annoncer) leurs fianccedilailles

A Ils annonccedilaient leurs fianccedilailles (They were announcingwould announce their engagement)

21 Tu _________________ (aller) au marcheacute

22 Ils _________________ (acheter) du pain

23 Elle _________________ (lire)

24 Nous _________________ (travailler)

25 Je _________________ (nager)

26 Vous _________________ (srsquoennuyer)

27 Tu _________________ (faire) de la voile

28 Nous _________________ (rire)

29 Il _________________ (neiger)

30 Je _________________ (conduire)

Using the ImperfectYou can use the imperfect tense in many different situations For example you canuse it to express a habitual and continuous action in the past as well as in all kinds ofdescriptions You can recall what the weather was like what someone was wearingor what the surroundings yoursquore describing were like Because of its versatility theimperfect tense has many meanings in English You can translate it as used to wouldwas were was doing or were doing something You can choose whichever translationbest suits what you want to say

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 126

This section looks at the main ways that you can use the imperfect tense Check outTable 11-2 to see some specific expressions that imply a general and nonspecific timein the past These expressions usually indicate a habitual and continuous action

Expressing habitual and continuous actionsHabitual action means something that you would do or used to do over and overagain for an unspecified number of times The following example illustrates how youuse imperfect verbs to express habitual and continuous actions (The French verbsare bolded the English translation verbs are italicized) Remember that you can alsosay used to instead of would in the translation

Chez ses grands-parents Michelle jouait tous les jours avec ses petits cousins etnageait dans la mer Sa grand-megravere preacuteparait toujours des repas deacutelicieux quisentaient si bons Le soir ses grands-parents amenaient Michelle au centre villeet lui achetaient de la glace Puis ils srsquoasseyaient agrave la terrasse drsquoun cafeacute et ilsregardaient les gens qui passaient

At her grandparentsrsquo house Michelle would play every day with her little cousinsand would swim in the sea Her grandmother would always prepare deliciousmeals which smelled so good In the evenings her grandparents would bringMichelle to town and would buy her ice cream Then they would sit at the terraceof the cafeacute and watch the people who would pass by

Table 11-2 Common Expressions in the Imperfect TenseExpression Translation

autrefois in the past

chaque anneacutee each yearchaque fois each timechaque jour each daychaque mois each monthchaque semaine each week

drsquohabitudehabituellement usually

en geacuteneacuteralgeacuteneacuteralement in generalgenerally

le lundi on Mondays or every Mondayle mardi on Tuesdays or every Tuesdayle mercredi on Wednesdays or every Wednesdayle jeudi on Thursdays or every Thursdayle vendredi on Fridays or every Fridayle samedi on Saturdays or every Saturdayle dimanche on Sundays or every Sundayle weekend on the weekends or every weekend

quelquefois sometimes at times

souvent often

toujourstout le temps always

tous les ans every yeartous les jours every daytous les mois every monthtoutes les semaines every week

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 127

Form sentences in the past from the given elements Remember to put the verb in theimperfect tense

Q Ellechoisirtoujoursle coq au vin

A Elle choisissait toujours le coq au vin (She would always choose the coq au vin)

31 Autrefoisjeprendrele train (In the past I used towould take the train)

__________________________________________________________________________________

32 Nousalleragrave lrsquoeacutecoletous les jours (We used towould go to school every day)

__________________________________________________________________________________

33 Ilsjouerau golfle weekend (They would play golf on the weekends)

__________________________________________________________________________________

34 Jefairesouventdes promenades (I would often take walks)

__________________________________________________________________________________

35 Drsquohabitudeilrencontrerses amisau cafeacute (Usually he would meet his friends at the cafeacute)

__________________________________________________________________________________

36 Vousse deacutepecircchertout le temps (You were always in a hurry)

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Le vendrediellesortiravec ses amis (On Fridays she would go out with her friends)

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Nouspartiren vacanceschaque eacuteteacute (We would leave for vacation each summer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Tumangertoujours vite (You would always eat quickly)

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 En geacuteneacuteralles eacutetudiantsparlerfranccedilais en classe (Generally the students would speakFrench in class)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Describing the pastIf you want to set the background of the past by describing physical mental andemotional conditions then you use the imperfect tense These conditions include thedescription of weather scenery appearances and feelings Some examples includewhat the beach looked like from your hotel window what your best friend was wear-ing at yesterdayrsquos party or what you were thinking when you first met the love ofyour life

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 128

The following paragraph provides an example All the imperfect verbs are bolded inthe French version and italicized in the English translation

Quand Michelle eacutetait jeune elle passait tous les eacuteteacutes avec ses grands-parents qui habitaient en Provence Parce qursquoil faisait toujours tregraves chaud elle portaittoujours un chapeau pour la proteacuteger du soleil Elle pensait qursquoelle voulait yrester toute sa vie

When Michelle was young she would spend all the summers with her grandpar-ents who livedused to live in Provence Because it was always very hot she wouldwear a hat to protect her from the sun She thought that she wanted to stay thereall her life

Interrupting actions in progressWhat if you were doing something and all of a sudden something happened and inter-rupted what you were doing For example you were watching a great movie whenyour children came in asking for a snack Here you would use two tenses the imper-fect of the verb to watch (were watching) and the completed past (see Chapter 12) ofthe verb to come (came)

Je regardais un tregraves bon film quand mes enfants sont venus me demander uncasse-croucircte (I was watching a very good film when my children came in asking mefor a snack)

Les enfants jouaient au foot quand il a commenceacute agrave pleuvoir (The children wereplaying soccer when it began to rain)

In the second example were playing is in the imperfect tense and began is in thepasseacute composeacute which is a completed action in the past (Check out Chapter 12 formore on the passeacute composeacute)

Using the imperfect with certain constructionsYou use the imperfect tense with the following constructions in order to expressongoing actions in the past ecirctre en train de (to be in the middle of something) andvenir de + infinitive (to have just done something)

Elle eacutetait en train de faire la cuisine quand elle a brucircleacute la sauce (She was in themiddle of cooking when she burned the sauce)

Nous venions de travailler toute la journeacutee alors nous eacutetions fatigueacutes (We had justworked the whole day so we were tired)

Describing simultaneous actionsWhen two actions occur at the same time in the past the imperfect tense is used forboth verbs in order to express continuous simultaneous action Usually the expres-sion pendant que (while) is used to link these two actions

Il conduisait pendant que je lisais la carte routiegravere (He was driving while I wasreading the directions)

Tu jouais au tennis pendant qursquoil nageait (You were playing tennis while he wasswimming)

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 129

Making suggestions and expressing wishesYou can use the imperfect tense to make suggestions to your friends your parentsyour spouse or your children or to express a wish You can do this by using si (if)followed by the imperfect Check out the following examples

Si nous allions au cineacutema (What if we went to the movies or How about going tothe movies)

Si tu eacutetais un peu plus patient (If only you were a little more patient)

Hypothesizing with the imperfectThe imperfect is part of a construction of a hypothetical sentence A hypotheticalsentence is composed of two clauses the si (if) clause and the result clause You usethe imperfect in the si clause and the conditional tense in the result clause (seeChapter 17 for more on hypothetical sentences) Check out the following example

Si jrsquoavais de lrsquoargent je voyagerais (If I had moneywere to have money I wouldtravel)

Avais is in the imperfect tense and voyagerais is in the conditional tense

Match the following sentences with one of the categories that best describes it Writethe appropriate letter in each blank I show you how in the example

Q Il jouait du piano pendant qursquoelle chantait

A e Simultaneous action

41 _____ Quand jrsquoeacutetais agrave Paris je prenais a Description of weather and timetoujours le meacutetro

42 _____ Si on faisait un pique-nique b Physical and mental description

43 _____ Il pleuvait en avrilc Habitual action

44 _____ Nous eacutetudiions pendant que tu regardais la teacuteleacutevision

d Interrupted action45 _____ Je lisais quand le teacuteleacutephone a

sonneacutee Simultaneous action

46 _____ Elle portait une robe blanche et un chapeau rose

47 _____ Tu eacutecrivais toujours agrave tes amisf Wishing or suggesting with si

48 _____ Ils mangeaient quand je suis entreacute

49 _____ Il faisait beau en eacuteteacute mais il neigeait beaucoup en hiver

50 _____ Je pensais qursquoil eacutetait formidable

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 130

Answer KeyThis section contains all the answers to the practice problems in this chapter Compareyour answers with the correct answers Remember that the imperfect tense has severalmeanings in English were doing something used to do something or would do somethingThe choice often depends on the context or connotation of the sentence

a Nous reacutepondions aux questions (We were answeringwould answer the questions)

b Mes parents nous punissaient (My parents used to punishwould punish us)

c Corinne chantait bien (Corinne used to sing well)

d Je perdais toujours mes cleacutes (I would always lose my keys)

e Vous travailliez beaucoup (You were working a lot)

f Les enfants se couchaient agrave 8 heures (The children would go to bed at 8 orsquoclock)

g Philippe marchait six kilomegravetres (Philippe would walk six kilometers)

h Nous nous reacuteunissions reacuteguliegraverement (We would reunite regularly)

i Tu arrivais agrave lrsquoheure (You used to arrive on time)

j Je choisissais le train (I would choose the train)

k Nous prenions des notes (We would take notes)

l Je sortais tous les soirs (I used to go out every evening)

m Vous lisiez des romans (You used to read novels)

n Les enfants craignaient des moustiques (The children used to fear mosquitoes)

o Tu buvais du vin (You used to drink wine)

p Nous nous eacutecrivions quelquefois (We would write to each other sometimes)

q Mathilde faisait des eacutetudes (Mathilde was taking classes)

r Vous croyiez aux contes de feacutees (You used to believe in fairy tales)

s Je recevais des cadeaux (I used to receive gifts)

t Nous voulions partir (We wanted to leave)

u Tu allais au marcheacute (You used to go to the market)

v Ils achetaient du pain (They were buying bread)

w Elle lisait (She was reading)

x Nous travaillions (We were working)

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 131

y Je nageais (I was swimming)

A Vous vous ennuyiez (You were getting bored)

B Tu faisais de la voile (You were sailingused to sail)

C Nous riions (We were laughing)

D Il neigeait (It was snowing)

E Je conduisais (I was driving)

F Autrefois je prenais le train

G Nous allions agrave lrsquoeacutecole tous les jours

H Ils jouaient au golf le weekend

I Je faisais souvent des promenades

J Drsquohabitude il rencontrait ses amis au cafeacute

K Vous vous deacutepecircchiez tout le temps

L Le vendredi elle sortait avec ses amis

M Nous partions en vacances chaque eacuteteacute

N Tu mangeais toujours vite

O En geacuteneacuteral les eacutetudiants parlaient franccedilais en classe

P c

Q f

R a

S e

T d

U b

V c

W d

X a

Y b

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 132

Chapter 12

Comprehending the Passeacute Composeacute and the Pluperfect Tenses

In This Chapter Making the passeacute composeacute with avoir

Forming the passeacute composeacute with ecirctre

Knowing how to say no in the passeacute composeacute

Making the pluperfect

Unlike the imperfect tense which describes what was happening (see Chapter 11) thepasseacute composeacute recounts events that have already taken place and at a specific time in

the past You use the passeacute composeacute to express a completed action in the past For exam-ple with this tense you can recount what you have done and accomplished where yoursquovebeen and the people yoursquove met yesterday last week last month or even years ago

Meanwhile the pluperfect tense is closely related because itrsquos also a compound past tensejust like the passeacute composeacute However it describes events that have taken place even beforethe passeacute composeacute The meaning of the pluperfect in English is had For example Nousavions deacutejagrave mangeacute quand papa est rentreacute means We had already eaten when dad camehome Had eaten is in the pluperfect and came is in the passeacute composeacute because one actionhappened before the other action

This chapter shows you how to form the passeacute composeacute and pluperfect tenses and pro-vides plenty of opportunities for you to practice them

Forming the Passeacute ComposeacuteThe passeacute composeacute as the name indicates is a compound tense made up of an auxiliaryverb and a past participle The French language has only two auxiliaries avoir (to have) andecirctre (to be)

To form the passeacute composeacute you first conjugate the auxiliaries in the present tense and thenadd the past participle (Sounds simple enough right) To make it even easier rememberthat most verbs take the auxiliary avoir However certain verbs especially those thatexpress motion such as aller (to go) partir (to leave) and venir (to come) take ecirctre I startwith verbs that take avoir as their auxiliary

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 133

avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

Regular verbs and the passeacute composeacuteTo form the past participle of regular -er verbs such as parler (to speak) simply dropthe r and add an accent aigu to the e like so eacute (parleacute) Now add this past participleto the auxiliary and yoursquove formed the past tense

The passeacute composeacute has three meanings in English For example Jrsquoai parleacute means Ispoke I have spoken and I did speak Even verbs with spelling changes (see Chapter 3)such as jeter (to throw) acheter (to buy) essayer (to try) and espeacuterer (to hope) have aregular past participle Simply drop the r from the infinitive and add accent aigu to thee like so jeteacute acheteacute essayeacute and espeacutereacute

For the regular -ir verbs such as finir (to finish) simply drop the -r and voilagrave fini Finallyfor the regular -re verbs like vendre (to sell) drop the -re and add a u to get vendu

To form the passeacute composeacute you take the present tense of the auxiliary verb and addthe appropriate past participle Check out the following tables that provide examplesof three verbs in the passeacute composeacute conjugated in their entirety Note that each hasavoir as its auxiliary

parler (to speak)

jrsquoai parleacute nous avons parleacute

tu as parleacute vous avez parleacute

ilelleon a parleacute ilselles ont parleacute

Nous avons parleacute aux enfants (We spoke to the children)

finir (to finish)

jrsquoai fini nous avons fini

tu as fini vous avez fini

ilelleon a fini ilselles ont fini

Elle a fini ses devoirs (She finished her homework)

vendre (to sell)

jrsquoai vendu nous avons vendu

tu as vendu vous avez vendu

ilelleon a vendu ilselles ont vendu

Les eacutetudiants ont vendu leurs livres (The students sold their books)

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 134

Now itrsquos your turn Put the following verbs in the passeacute composeacute (Check out thesample problem if you need any clarification)

Q Nous _________________ (nettoyer) la maison

A Nous avons nettoyeacute la maison (We cleaned the house)

1 Tu _________________ (rendre) les livres

2 Elle _________________ (voyager)

3 Nous _________________ (choisir)

4 Ils _________________ (dicircner)

5 Je _________________ (eacutetudier)

6 Vous _________________ (reacuteussir)

7 Ils _________________ (vendre) leur voiture

8 Tu _________________ (perdre) tes cleacutes

9 Nous _________________ (travailler)

10 Elle _________________ (reacutefleacutechir)

Irregular verbs and the passeacute composeacuteMany French verbs have an irregular past participle Usually if a verb is irregular in thepresent tense (like the verbs presented in Chapter 4) then it also has an irregular pastparticiple However irregular verbs that follow the same conjugation pattern as partir(to leave) have regular past participles These verbs include sortir (to go out) dormir(to sleep) mentir (to lie) servir (to serve) and aller (to go) For the -ir verbs like partirjust drop the r and for the verb aller drop the r and add an accent aigu on the e Igroup the verbs with an irregular past participle here according to their endings Theprevious section explains that you form the past participle of regular -re verbs by drop-ping the -re and adding a u Many irregular verbs (those ending in -oir -re or -ir) have a past participle that also ends in u Table 12-1 lists the irregular verbs and their pastparticiples that end in u

Table 12-1 Irregular Verbs and Their Past Participles Ending in uInfinitive Past Participle

apercevoir (to see to perceive) aperccedilu

appartenir (to belong to) appartenu

avoir (to have) eu

battre (to beat) battu

boire (to drink) bu

(continued)

135Chapter 12 Comprehending the Passeacute Composeacute and the Pluperfect Tenses

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 135

Table 12-1 (continued)Infinitive Past Participle

connaicirctre (to know) connu

convaincre (to convince) convaincu

courir (to run) couru

croire (to believe) cru

deacutecevoir (to disappoint) deacuteccedilu

devenir (to become) devenu

devoir (to owe to have to) ducirc

falloir (to be necessary to have to) fallu

lire (to read) lu

paraicirctre (to appear) paru

plaire (to please) plu

pleuvoir (to rain) plu

pouvoir (to be able to) pu

recevoir (to receive) reccedilu

revenir (to come back) revenu

savoir (to know) su

tenir (to hold) tenu

venir (to come) venu

vivre (to live) veacutecu

voir (to see) vu

vouloir (to want) voulu

Some past participles end in t Table 12-2 shows those verbs along with their past participles

Table 12-2 Irregular Verbs and Their Past Participles Ending in tInfinitive Past Participle

conduire (to drive) conduit

construire (to construct to build) construit

couvrir (to cover) couvert

dire (to say) dit

eacutecrire (to write) eacutecrit

faire (to do to make) fait

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 136

Infinitive Past Participle

inscrire (to note to write down) inscrit

offrir (to offer) offert

ouvrir (to open) ouvert

souffrir (to suffer) souffert

Table 12-3 lists some irregular verbs whose past participles end in s Note that youcreate the past participle the same way for any verb that ends in -mettre or -prendre

Table 12-3 Irregular Verbs and Their Past Participles Ending in sInfinitive Past Participle

mettre (to put to place) mis

admettre (to admit) admis

prendre (to take) pris

apprendre (to learn) appris

Some past participles of irregular verbs end in i Table 12-4 shows the irregular verbsthat have past participles ending in i

Table 12-4 Irregular Verbs and Their Past Participles Ending in iInfinitive Past Participle

partir (to leave) parti

rire (to laugh) ri

sortir (to go out) sorti

sourire (to smile) souri

suivre (to follow to take a course) suivi

In addition to avoir (which you can see more on earlier in this section) three otherirregular verbs have the following forms in the past participle Table 12-5 lists thesefour irregular verbs and their past participles

Table 12-5 Irregular Verbs and Their Past ParticiplesInfinitive Past Participle

avoir (to have) eu

ecirctre (to be) eacuteteacute

mourir (to die) mort

naicirctre (to be born) neacute

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Try putting the following verbs in the passeacute composeacute If you donrsquot remember how tospell their past participles refer to the tables in this chapter Check out the sampleproblem

Q Elle _________________ (offrir) des bonbons aux enfants

A Elle a offert des bonbons aux enfants (She offered candy to the children)

11 Nous _________________ (conduire)

12 Ils _________________ (courir)

13 Je _________________ (lire)

14 Vous _________________ (souffrir)

15 Tu _________________ (sourire)

16 Elle _________________ (apercevoir) le chien

17 Nous _________________ (voir) le Preacutesident

18 Elles _________________ (apprendre) le franccedilais

19 Vous _________________ (suivre) les cours

20 Tu _________________ (vivre) en France

Making sure the past participle agrees with the preceding direct objectThroughout this section I show you the way to form the past participles but youneed to know another important fact before you can spell them correctly You need tomake sure the past participles are in agreement with the preceding direct object ifthere is one Depending on the direct object you need to make the following changesto the past participle

If the preceding direct object is masculine singular then leave the past participlealone

If the preceding direct object is feminine singular add an e

If the preceding direct object is masculine plural add an s

If the preceding direct object is feminine plural add an es

Check out the following examples to see how the past participle can change

Jrsquoai mis les fleurs dans le vase (I put the flowers in the vase)

Je les ai mises dans le vase (I put them in the vase)

To replace the direct object les fleurs which is feminine plural with the direct objectpronoun les which means them place the direct object pronoun before the verb andthen the past participle mis agrees with les and therefore it is spelled mises I provideone more example

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 138

Il a vu Nicole (He saw Nicole)

Il lrsquoa vue (He saw her)

Table 12-6 is a list of the direct object pronouns

Table 12-6 Direct Object PronounsFrench Pronoun English Equivalent

me me

te you

se himselfherselfoneselfthemselves (for pronominal verbs only)

le himit

la herit

nous us

vous you

les them

Note The pronominal pronouns me te se nous and vous can also be direct object pronouns Check outChapter 5 for more on pronominal verbs

Drop the vowel of me te se le and la and add an apostrophe when the verb beginswith a vowel or a mute h In the passeacute composeacute when the auxiliary is avoir this isalways the case

Ils mrsquoont preacutevenu(e) (They warned me)

Je trsquoai chercheacute(e) (I looked for you)

Nous lrsquoavons fini(e) (We finished it)

Replace the direct object which is underlined in each question with a direct objectpronoun Make sure the past participle agrees with the preceding direct object pro-noun if it doesnrsquot make the appropriate changes like in the following example

Q Elle a aperccedilu la foule (She noticed the crowd)

A Elle lrsquoa aperccedilue (She noticed it)

21 Elle a appris la leccedilon

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Nous avons pris le train

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Ils ont fait les devoirs (masculine plural)

__________________________________________________________________________________

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 139

24 Jrsquoai vu Heacutelegravene

__________________________________________________________________________________

25 Vous avez reacuteciteacute le poegraveme

__________________________________________________________________________________

26 Nous avons appeleacute les enfants (masculine plural)

__________________________________________________________________________________

27 Il a reccedilu les cartes (feminine plural)

__________________________________________________________________________________

28 Tu as eacutecrit la dissertation

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 Ils ont compris le journaliste

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 Elle a rencontreacute ses amis (masculine plural)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Creating the Passeacute Composeacute with EcirctreSome specific verbs such as verbs of motion and verbs that arenrsquot followed by a directobject are intransitive and take the auxiliary ecirctre (An intransitive verb is one that isnrsquotfollowed by a direct object Check out Chapter 1 for more info) You conjugate the verbecirctre in the present tense and add the past participle of the verb you want

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

Vous ecirctes optimiste (You are optimistic)

To remember which verbs take ecirctre (to be) picture the house of ecirctre (see Figure 12-1)Picture a huge door an elegant staircase a bed and a chair Are you wondering howthis visual aid can help you Many of the verbs that take ecirctre are what I call ldquodoorrdquoverbs You can go come return enter arrive and pass through the door in the houseof ecirctre What about the staircase You can go up go down and if you arenrsquot carefulyou can fall Now picture the bed Way before hospitals people were born in the houseand died in the house So these verbs take ecirctre The last types of verbs belonging tothis category are all pronominal verbs which take ecirctre as their auxiliary You form thepasseacute composeacute of ecirctre verbs the same way as avoir verbs You conjugate the verb ecirctrein the present tense followed by the past participle of the verbs

Il est arriveacute agrave 9 heures (He arrived at 9 orsquoclock)

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Table 12-7 shows the verbs that use ecirctre when forming the passeacute composeacute along withtheir past participles

Table 12-7 The House of Ecirctre Forming the Passeacute ComposeacuteInfinitive Past Participle

aller (to go) alleacute

arriver (to arrive) arriveacute

descendre (to go downstairs to descend) descendu

entrer (to enter) entreacute

monter (to go up stairs to climb) monteacute

passer (to pass to spend) passeacute

rentrer (to come back home) rentreacute

rester (to stay) resteacute

retourner (to return) retourneacute

tomber (to fall) tombeacute

These verbs can take either auxiliary avoir or ecirctre They take the auxiliary avoir when theyrsquore followed by adirect object However they take ecirctre when they arenrsquot followed by a direct object

The House of Ecirctre

ARRIVERRENTRER

VENIR

ENTRER

RETOURNER

REVENIRDEVENIR

RESTERRESTERRESTER

ALLER

NAITRE = MOURIR

TOMBER

DESCENDRE

TOMBER

DESCENDREMONTER

MONTER

PASSER

SORTIRSORTIR

PARTIR

Figure 12-1The House

of EcirctreRememberthat theseverbs useecirctre in the

passeacute composeacute

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Making sure the subject and participle agreeJust like avoir verbs have rules of agreement where the past participle agrees in genderand number with the preceding direct object ecirctre verbs have rules for agreement aswell The past participle of ecirctre verbs agrees with the subject Thus

If the subject is masculine singular leave the past participle alone

If the subject is feminine singular add an e to the past participle

If the subject is masculine plural add an s

If the subject is feminine plural add an es

Look at the following example conjugated in the passeacute composeacute

partir (to leave)

je suis parti(e) nous sommes partis(es)

tu es parti(e) vous ecirctes parti(e)(s)(es)

ilelleon est parti(e) ilselles sont partis(es)

Nous sommes partis agrave midi (We left at noon)

Put these verbs in the passeacute composeacute Donrsquot forget to conjugate the auxiliary ecirctre inthe present and then add the past participle Remember to make sure the past partici-ple agrees with the subject

Q Elle _________________ (monter) dans un taxi

A Elle est monteacutee dans un taxi (She got in a taxi)

31 Nous _________________ (aller) au cineacutema

32 Ils _________________ (naicirctre) en Europe

33 Je _________________ (tomber)

34 Vous _________________ (descendre) du train

35 Tu _________________ (arriver) en retard

36 Elle _________________ (devenir) ceacutelegravebre

37 Il _________________ (mourir) en 1969

38 Nous _________________ (rentrer) tocirct

39 Je _________________ (rester) agrave la maison

40 Ils _________________ (venir) ensemble

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Forming the passeacute composeacute with pronominal verbsAll pronominal verbs take ecirctre as their auxiliary However they donrsquot have the samerule of agreement as the nonpronominal ecirctre verbs The past participle of pronominalverbs follows that same rule of agreement as the verbs taking avoir as their auxiliaryThat is the past participle agrees with the preceding direct object if the sentence hasone (Check out ldquoMaking sure the participle and direct object agreerdquo earlier in thischapter for more info)

In most sentences with pronominal verbs the pronominal pronoun (which corre-sponds to the subject) is the preceding direct object If this is the case then you haveagreement which shows in the past participle and you should follow these rules

If the pronominal pronoun is masculine singular leave the past participle alone

If the pronominal pronoun is feminine singular add an e

If the pronominal pronoun is masculine plural add an s

If the pronominal pronoun is feminine plural add an es

The following example conjugates se coucher (to go to bed) in the passeacute composeacute

se coucher (to go to bed)

je me suis coucheacute(e) nous nous sommes coucheacutes(es)

tu trsquoes coucheacute(e) vous vous ecirctes coucheacute(e)(s)(es)

ilelleon srsquoest coucheacute(e) ilselles se sont coucheacutes(es)

Nous nous sommes coucheacutes agrave 10 heures (We went to bed at 10 orsquoclock)

If the sentence has a direct object other than the pronominal pronoun then thepronominal pronoun is indirect and you donrsquot have agreement Take the verb se laver(to wash oneself) When the verb isnrsquot followed by a direct object you have agreementwith the pronominal pronoun However when the same verb is followed by a directobject the pronominal pronoun is the indirect object and you donrsquot have agreementCheck out Table 12-8 as an example

Table 12-8 Se Laver (to wash oneself ) with and without a Direct Object

Se Laver without a Direct Object Se Laver with a Direct Object

Je me suis laveacute(e) (I washed myself) Je me suis laveacute les cheveux (I washedmy hair)

Tu trsquoes laveacute(e) (You washed yourself) Tu trsquoes laveacute les cheveux (You washedyour hair)

Il srsquoest laveacute (He washed himself) Il srsquoest laveacute les cheveux (He washed hishair)

(continued)

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Table 12-8 (continued)Se Laver without a Direct Object Se Laver with a Direct Object

Elle srsquoest laveacutee (She washed herself) Elle srsquoest laveacute les cheveux (She washedher hair)

Nous nous sommes laveacutes(es) (We Nous nous sommes laveacute les cheveuxwashed ourselves) (We washed our hair)

Vous vous ecirctes laveacute(e)(s)(es) (You Vous vous ecirctes laveacute les cheveux (Youwashed yourself [ves]) washed your hair)

Ils se sont laveacutes (They washed themselves) Ils se sont laveacute les cheveux (Theywashed their hair)

Elles se sont laveacutees (They washed themselves) Elles se sont laveacute les cheveux (Theywashed their hair)

Some pronominal verbs have pronominal pronouns that are always indirect objectpronouns In this case the past participle doesnrsquot agree with the pronominal pro-nouns Table 12-9 shows these verbs

Table 12-9 Pronominal Verbs with Indirect Object PronounsVerb Translation

srsquoacheter to buy for oneself or for each other

se demander to wonder

se dire to say to oneself or to each other

se donner to give to oneself or to each other

se promettre to promise oneself or each other

se rendre compte de to realize

se rendre visite to visit each other

se ressembler to look alike to resemble each other

se sourire to smile at each other

Remember that the past participle and the indirect object pronouns have no agree-ment between them This rule applies to verbs taking the auxiliary avoir as well as topronominal verbs Table 12-10 shows the indirect objects

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 144

Table 12-10 Indirect Object PronounsFrench Pronoun English Equivalent

me to me

te to you

se to himselfto herselfto themselves (for pronominal verbsonly)

lui to himto her

nous to us

vous to you

leur to them

Note The pronominal pronouns me te se nous and vous can also be indirect object pronouns Check outChapter 5 for more on pronominal verbs

Je leur ai teacuteleacutephoneacute (I called them)

Nous lui avons promis (We promised himher)

Vous vous ecirctes dit au revoir (You said goodbye to each other)

Put the following pronominal verbs in the passeacute composeacute Donrsquot forget to make surethe past participle agrees with the pronominal pronoun when itrsquos the direct object

Q Nous _____________________________________________ (se rencontrer)

A Nous nous sommes rencontreacutes (We met each other)

41 Ils _____________________________________________ (se teacuteleacutephoner)

42 Je _____________________________________________ (srsquohabiller)

43 Elles _____________________________________________ (se brosser) les dents

44 Tu _____________________________________________ (srsquoamuser)

45 Nous _____________________________________________ (srsquoeacutecrire)

46 Il _____________________________________________ (se lever) tard

47 Vous _____________________________________________ (se parler)

48 Elle _____________________________________________ (se maquiller)

49 Nous _____________________________________________ (se deacutepecirccher)

50 Ils _____________________________________________ (se donner) des cadeaux

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Flexible Verbs Using Either Avoir or EcirctreCertain verbs can take either auxiliary avoir or ecirctre in the passeacute composeacute The wayyou can tell which one they take is in the way theyrsquore used If theyrsquore followed by adirect object then they take avoir as their auxiliary If they arenrsquot followed by a directobject then they take ecirctre as their auxiliary

Note that verbs such as descendre monter passer rentrer retourner and sortircan take either auxiliary mdash avoir or ecirctre (see Table 12-7 earlier in this chapter)These verbs take avoir when theyrsquore followed by a direct object In this case theyrsquoretransitive They take ecirctre when they arenrsquot followed by a direct object and theyrsquoreintransitive See the examples in Table 12-11

Table 12-11 Verbs That Take Either Auxiliary (Avoir or Ecirctre)Transitive (avoir) Intransitive (ecirctre)

Elle a passeacute un examen (She took an exam) Elle est passeacutee par la bibliothegraveque (Shepassed by the library)

Elle a monteacute la valise (She brought the Elle est monteacutee dans un taxi (She got insuitcase up) a taxi)

Elle a descendu les livres (She brought Elle est descendue au sous-sol (Shethe books down) went down to the basement)

Elle a sorti le chien (She took out the dog) Elle est sortie avec ses amis (She wentout with her friends)

Elle a rentreacute la voiture (She put the car in) Elle est rentreacutee agrave minuit (She camehome at midnight)

Elle a retourneacute les crecircpes (She turned over Elle est retourneacutee agrave son livre (Shethe crepes) returned to her bookreading)

Can you tell the difference between a transitive and an intransitive verb Choosebetween avoir and ecirctre and put the following verbs in the passeacute composeacute

Q Je _____________________________________________ (sortir) avec mes amis

A Je suis sorti avec mes amis (I went out with my friends)

51 Nous _____________________________________________ (passer) une semaine agrave laMartinique

52 Il _____________________________________________ (monter) dans sa chambre

53 Tu _____________________________________________ (sortir) ton livre

54 Vous _____________________________________________ (descendre) le linge

55 Je _____________________________________________ (rentrer) agrave lrsquoheure

56 Ils _____________________________________________ (retourner) les cassettes videacuteo

57 Nous _____________________________________________ (sortir) avec des amis

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 146

58 Tu _____________________________________________ (passer) par Paris

59 Elle _____________________________________________ (monter) le beacutebeacute dans sa chambre

60 Vous _____________________________________________ (rentrer) le chien

Making the Passeacute Composeacute NegativeIf you want to say that you didnrsquot do something or you didnrsquot go anywhere you makethe passeacute composeacute negative Just place ne before the auxiliary which is the conjugatedverb and pas after the auxiliary

Je nrsquoai pas voyageacute (I didnrsquot travel)

Nous nrsquoavons pas lu le journal (We didnrsquot read the newspaper)

For pronominal verbs the ne precedes not only the auxiliary but also the pronominalpronoun and the pas follows that auxiliary

Tu ne trsquoes pas coucheacute(e) (You didnrsquot go to bed)

Nous ne nous sommes pas amuseacutes (We didnrsquot have fun)

Now you try Make the following sentences negative and then translate them

Q Ils sont sortis

A Ils ne sont pas sortis They did not go out

61 Ils se sont ennuyeacutes

__________________________________________________________________________________

62 Tu trsquoes habilleacute(e)

__________________________________________________________________________________

63 Nous avons appris la leccedilon

__________________________________________________________________________________

64 Elle est partie

__________________________________________________________________________________

65 Ils se sont souri

__________________________________________________________________________________

66 Vous avez vu le film

__________________________________________________________________________________

67 Je me suis brosseacute les cheveux

__________________________________________________________________________________

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 147

68 Nous sommes neacutes en Californie

__________________________________________________________________________________

69 Elles se sont rappeleacutees leur jeunesse

__________________________________________________________________________________

70 Tu as parleacute agrave tes parents

__________________________________________________________________________________

Forming the PluperfectYou use the pluperfect to recount an action that happened even before the passeacutecomposeacute Itrsquos not only a completed action in the past but one that had taken placeeven before the passeacute composeacute These two tenses are both past compound tenses

You form the pluperfect just like the passeacute composeacute except that you conjugate theauxiliaries avoir and ecirctre in the imperfect tense and add the past participle of theverb The following shows the imperfect forms of avoir and ecirctre followed by anexample of how to form the pluperfect

avoir (to have)

jrsquoavais nous avions

tu avais vous aviez

ilelleon avait ilselles avaient

Nous avions deacutejagrave mangeacute quand tu es arriveacute (We had already eaten when you arrived)

ecirctre (to be)

Ils eacutetaient partis quand nous avons teacuteleacutephoneacute (They had left when we called)

Je suis alleacute au theacuteacirctre hier mais jrsquoavais acheteacute mon billet le mois dernier(I went to the theater yesterday but I had bought my ticket last month)

You also use the pluperfect to express regret with the condition si (if only) You usethe pluperfect after a si clause in a hypothetical sentence with the past conditionaltense in the result clause (see Chapter 18)

Si jrsquoeacutetais arriveacute plutocirct (If only I had arrived earlier)

Si nous avions su (If only we had known)

Srsquoil avait reacuteussi agrave ses examens il serait alleacute en Europe (If he had passed hisexams he would have gone to Europe)

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 148

Put the following verbs in the pluperfect Check out the example if you need assistance

Q Le professeur _____________________________________________ (rendre) les examens

A Le professeur avait rendu les examens (The professor had given back the exams)

71 Papa _____________________________________________ (rentrer) tard

72 Les enfants _____________________________________________ (finir) leurs devoirs

73 Je _____________________________________________ (suivre) tous mes cours

74 Nous _____________________________________________ (recevoir) notre diplocircme

75 Elle _____________________________________________ (voyager)

76 Vous _____________________________________________ (travailler) toute votre vie

77 Il _____________________________________________(eacutecrire) sa thegravese

78 Tu _____________________________________________ (aller) en Afrique

79 Nous _____________________________________________ (se reacuteveiller) de bonne heure

80 Mes parents _____________________________________________ (eacuteleacutever) quatre enfants

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 149

Answer KeyThis section contains the answers to the practice problems in this chapter Compareyour answers to the correct ones Are you a passeacute composeacute wiz Remember that thepasseacute composeacute has three meanings in English For example Jrsquoai choisi le vin rougemeans I chose I have chosen and I did choose the red wine In this Answer Key how-ever I provide only the most common translation

a Tu as rendu les livres (You gave back the books)

b Elle a voyageacute (She travelled)

c Nous avons choisi (We chose)

d Ils ont dicircneacute (They dined)

e Jrsquoai eacutetudieacute (I studied)

f Vous avez reacuteussi (You have succeeded)

g Ils ont vendu leur voiture (They sold their car)

h Tu as perdu tes cleacutes (You lost your keys)

i Nous avons travailleacute (We worked)

j Elle a reacutefleacutechi (She reflected)

k Nous avons conduit (We drove)

l Ils ont couru (They ran)

m Jrsquoai lu (I read)

n Vous avez souffert (You [have] suffered)

o Tu as souri (You smiled)

p Elle a aperccedilu le chien (She noticed the dog)

q Nous avons vu le Preacutesident (We saw the President)

r Elles ont appris le franccedilais (They learned French)

s Vous avez suivi les cours (You took courses)

t Tu as veacutecu en France (You lived in France)

u Elle lrsquoa apprise (She learned it)

v Nous lrsquoavons pris (We took it)

w Ils les ont faits (They did it)

x Je lrsquoai vue (I saw her)

y Vous lrsquoavez reacuteciteacute (You recited it)

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 150

A Nous les avons appeleacutes (We called them)

B Il les a reccedilues (He received them)

C Tu lrsquoas eacutecrite (You wrote it)

D Ils lrsquoont compris (They understood him)

E Elle les a rencontreacutes (She met them)

F Nous sommes alleacutes au cineacutema (We went to the movies)

G Ils sont neacutes en Europe (They were born in Europe)

H Je suis tombeacutee (I fell)

I Vous ecirctes descendu du train (You got off the train)

J Tu es arriveacutee en retard (You arrived late)

K Elle est devenue ceacutelegravebre (She became famous)

L Il est mort en 1969 (He died in 1969)

M Nous sommes rentreacutes tocirct (We came home early)

N Je suis resteacutee agrave la maison (I stayed in the house)

O Ils sont venus ensemble (They came together)

P Ils se sont teacuteleacutephoneacute (They called each other)

Q Je me suis habilleacute(e) (I got dressed)

R Elles se sont brosseacute les dents (They brushed their teeth)

S Tu trsquoes amuseacute(e) (You had fun)

T Nous nous sommes eacutecrit (We wrote to each other)

U Il srsquoest leveacute tard (He got up late)

V Vous vous ecirctes parleacute (You spoke to each other)

W Elle srsquoest maquilleacutee (She put on makeup)

X Nous nous sommes deacutepecirccheacutes (We hurried)

Y Ils se sont donneacute des cadeaux (They gave each other presents)

z Nous avons passeacute une semaine agrave la Martinique (We spent a week in Martinique)

Z Il est monteacute dans sa chambre (He went up to his room)

1 Tu as sorti ton livre (You took out your book)

2 Vous avez descendu le linge (You brought the laundry down[stairs])

3 Je suis rentreacutee toujours agrave lrsquoheure (I always came home on time)

18_773883 ch12qxp 82306 206 PM Page 151

4 Ils ont retourneacute les cassettes videacuteo (They returned the videos)

5 Nous sommes sortis avec des amis (We went out with friends)

6 Tu es passeacutee par Paris (You passed by Paris)

7 Elle a monteacute le beacutebeacute dans sa chambre (She brought the baby up to her room)

8 Vous avez rentreacute le chien (You brought the dog in)

9 Ils ne se sont pas ennuyeacutes They did not get bored

0 Tu ne trsquoes pas habilleacutee You did not get dressed

Nous nrsquoavons pas appris la leccedilon We did not learn the lesson

Elle nrsquoest pas partie She did not leave

Ils ne se sont pas souri They did not smile at each other

$ Vous nrsquoavez pas vu le film You did not see the film

Je ne me suis pas brosseacute les cheveux I did not brush my hair

^ Nous ne sommes pas neacutes en Californie We were not born in California

amp Elles ne se sont pas rappeleacutees leur jeunesse They did not remember their youth

Tu nrsquoas pas parleacute agrave tes parents You did not speak to your parents

( Papa eacutetait rentreacute tard (Dad had come home late)

) Les enfants avaient fini leurs devoirs (The children had finished their homework)

- Jrsquoavais suivi tous mes cours (I had taken all my courses)

_ Nous avions reccedilu notre diplocircme (We had received our diploma)

= Elle avait voyageacute (She had travelled)

+ Vous aviez travailleacute toute votre vie (You had worked your whole life)

[ Il avait eacutecrit sa thegravese (He had written his thesis)

Tu eacutetais alleacute en Afrique (You had gone to Africa)

] Nous nous eacutetions reacuteveilleacutes de bonne heure (We had woken up early)

Mes parents avaient eacuteleacuteveacute quatre enfants (My parents had raised four children)

18_773883 ch12qxp 82306 206 PM Page 152

Chapter 13

Contrasting the Imperfect with the Passeacute Composeacute

In This Chapter Knowing the differences between the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute

Choosing when to use each tense

When you recount past events you often describe the circumstances in which theevents took place as well as tell what happened using specific actions This chapter

guides you in distinguishing between the two tenses mdash the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute(For more on forming the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute see Chapters 11 and 12)

Identifying the Main Differences between the Two Tenses

The choice between the passeacute composeacute and the imperfect depends on the context of whatyoursquore saying At times the choice between these two tenses is subjective and depends onthe way you view the events So when do you use the imperfect versus the passeacute composeacute

You use the imperfect to provide background information such as descriptions of sceneryweather physical appearance and mental state You also use it to describe events that haveoccurred an unspecified number of times as well as ongoing and habitual actions The trans-lation of the imperfect in English is used to do something would do something or was doingsomething

On the other hand you use the passeacute composeacute for completed actions in the past actionsthat occurred at a specific moment in time and a specific number of times and changes orinterruptions of a state or actions

Table 13-1 serves as a guide and provides example sentences for each use

Table 13-1 Differences between the Imperfect and Passeacute ComposeacuteWhen to Use Example When to Use ExampleImperfect Passeacute Composeacute

Habitual or Je lisais (I was Change or interruption Je lisais quand tu es entreacutecontinuous action reading) in the action (I was reading when you

entered)

(continued)

19_773883 ch13qxp 8206 134 PM Page 153

Table 13-1 (continued)When to Use Example When to Use ExampleImperfect Passeacute Composeacute

Physical description Elle portait sa Physical description Parce qursquoil pleuvaitand mental state nouvelle robe and mental state are elle a porteacute son

et elle se sentait the result of a specific impermeacuteablebelle (She was action (Because it waswearing her new raining she woredress and was her raincoat)feeling beautiful)

Description of Il neigeait et il Change in the weather Il a neigeacute ce matinweather faisait tregraves froid or the weather at a (It snowed this

(It was snowing specific moment morning)and it was very cold)

An event that has Quand jrsquoeacutetais agrave An event that has taken Quand jrsquoeacutetais agravetaken place an Paris je prenais place a specific number Paris jrsquoai pris leunspecified number le meacutetro (When of times meacutetro trois foisof times I was in Paris I (When I was in

used towould Paris I took thetake the subway) subway three

times)

Ongoing Maman preacuteparait Actions completed A midi maman asimultaneous le deacutejeuner et at a specific time preacutepareacute le deacutejeuneractions papa tondait la in the past et papa a tondu la

pelouse (Mom pelouse (At noonwas preparing Mom preparedlunch and Dad lunch and Dad was mowing mowed the lawn)the lawn)

Try to distinguish between these two tenses In the following sentences put the verbin parentheses in the imperfect or the passeacute composeacute

Q En geacuteneacuteral ils _________________ (dicircner) assez tard

A En geacuteneacuteral ils dicircnaient assez tard (In general they would eat fairly late)

1 Je _________________ (se doucher) quand tu me _________________ (appeler)

2 Nous _________________ (aller) au theacuteacirctre cinq fois

3 Benjamin _________________ (jouer) au tennis pendant que Meacutelanie _________________(nager)

4 Il _________________ (pleuvoir) mais il _________________ (faire) tregraves doux

5 Quand il _________________ (ecirctre) petit il _________________ (mettre) toujours ses chaussures de travers

6 Dans la forecirct il y _________________ (avoir) un silence profond

7 Je _________________ (corriger) les examens pendant que tu _________________ (faire) tes devoirs

19_773883 ch13qxp 8206 134 PM Page 154

8 Le professeur _________________ (expliquer) le subjonctif trois fois

9 Ils _________________ (travailler) quand ils _________________ (entendre) des siregravenes

10 Chaque eacuteteacute nous _________________ (aller) agrave la plage

Selecting the Right Tense Imperfect or Passeacute Composeacute

When speaking in the past you need to know which tense is the correct one to use Areyou discussing something that happened only one time or are you referring to some-thing that happened habitually This section can help you make the right choice bypointing out helpful key words that can point you in the right direction This sectionalso looks at certain verbs that are used more in the imperfect as well as pointers aboutunderstanding the context so that you can choose the right tense

Relying on helpful key wordsAlthough the choice of the imperfect or the passeacute composeacute depends on the context ofthe narration as well as the perspective of the speaker or author certain key wordsmay help you to choose more accurately between these two tenses This sectionlooks more closely at those key words

Because the imperfect tense is one of description habitual action and nonspecifictime certain key words express general or continuous time with which you use theimperfect On the other hand expressions that express precise and specific time orspecific number of times indicate a completed action which is expressed by thepasseacute composeacute

Jrsquoallais agrave lrsquoeacutecole tous les jours (I would go to school every day)

Hier je suis alleacute agrave lrsquoeacutecole (Yesterday I went to school)

In the first sentence tous les jours (every day) indicates a general time therefore theverb is in the imperfect tense In the second sentence hier (yesterday) indicates aspecific time therefore the verb is in the passeacute composeacute

Table 13-2 shows some key words that can help you determine whether you need touse the imperfect or the passeacute composeacute

Table 13-2 Choosing between the Imperfect and Passeacute ComposeacuteKey Words That Indicate Imperfect Tense Key Words That Indicate Passeacute Composeacute

autrefois (in the past ) ce matin (this morning)

chaque anneacutee (each year)chaque fois (each time)chaque jour (each day)chaque mois (each month)chaque semaine (each week) hier (yesterday)

drsquohabitudehabituellement (usually) lrsquoanneacutee derniegravere (last year)

(continued)

155Chapter 13 Contrasting the Imperfect with the Passeacute Composeacute

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Table 13-2 (continued)Key Words That Indicate Imperfect Tense Key Words That Indicate Passeacute Composeacute

geacuteneacuteralementen geacuteneacuteral (generally) la semaine derniegravere (last week)

souvent (often) quand (when) mdash this verb indicates thepasseacute composeacute only when the ongoing action is interrupted

toujours (always) soudainsoudainement (suddenly)

tous les jours (every day) tout drsquoun coup (all of a sudden)

With these practice exercises look at the verb in parentheses Determine whetheryou need to conjugate it in the imperfect or passeacute composeacute Use the key words asyour guide

Q Lrsquoanneacutee derniegravere ma soeur _________________ (obtenir) son diplocircme

A Lrsquoanneacutee derniegravere ma soeur a obtenu son diplocircme (Last year my sister got her diploma)

11 Je le _________________ (voir) chaque fois que je _________________ (aller) au cours

12 En geacuteneacuteral nous _________________ (partir) en vacances en juin

13 Hier ils _________________ (faire) les courses

14 Les enfants _________________ (jouer) dans le parc quand tout drsquoun coup il_________________ (commencer) agrave pleuvoir

15 Autrefois mes grands-parents _________________ (habiter) en Champagne

16 Papa _________________ (travailler) souvent le samedi

17 Tu _________________ (dormir) quand je _________________ (rentrer)

18 Je _________________ (se promener) drsquohabitude au jardin de Luxemburg

19 La semaine derniegravere nous _________________ (recevoir) une contravention

20 Ils _________________ (boire) toujours du vin au dicircner

Eyeing verbs usually used with the imperfectIn Chapter 11 you discover that the imperfect describes physical and mental statesYou can use some verbs for this type of description so theyrsquore usually in the imper-fect tense Check out the following examples in Table 13-3

Table 13-3 Descriptive Verbs in the ImperfectInfinitive Example in the Imperfect

adorer (to adore) Elle adorait les pecircches (She adored peaches)

aimer (to like to love) Jrsquoaimais les promenades (I loved the walks)

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Infinitive Example in the Imperfect

avoir (to have) Il y avait des nuages (There were clouds)

croire (to believe) Vous croyiez que nous eacutetions deacuteccedilus (You believed that we weredisappointed)

deacutetester (to hate) Ils deacutetestaient partir (They hated to leave)

espeacuterer (to hope) Tu espeacuterais reacuteussir (You hoped to succeed)

ecirctre (to be) Il eacutetait en retard (He was late)

penser (to think) Nous pensions que tu ne venais pas (We thought that you werenot coming)

preacutefeacuterer (to prefer) Je preacutefeacuterais le jazz (I preferredused to prefer jazz)

Looking at verbs that have different meaningsin imperfect and passeacute composeacuteCertain verbs have different connotations depending on whether theyrsquore in the imper-fect or the passeacute composeacute In the passeacute composeacute these verbs have more of an empha-sis on something that yoursquove accomplished whereas in the imperfect they emphasizemore of a generality or an attempt to do something that probably didnrsquot materialize orhappen Table 13-4 shows you some examples of these types of verbs

Table 13-4 Different Meanings Imperfect versus Passeacute ComposeacuteInfinitive Imperfect Passeacute Composeacute

croire (to believe) Tu croyais que je partirais Tu as cru que je partirais(You thought that I would (You concluded thatleave) I would leave)

devoir (to have to) Il devait travailler Il a ducirc travailler(He was supposed (He had to work)to work)

falloir (to have to) This Il fallait partir Il a fallu partirverb is used only in the (IWeThey should (IWeThey had to leave)third person singular il have left)but it can have multiple meanings in English

pouvoir (to be able to) Je pouvais faire mes Jrsquoai pu faire mes devoirsdevoirs (I succeeded in doing my(I couldwas capable homework)of doing my homework)

savoir (to know) Elle savait que jrsquoeacutetais Elle a su que jrsquoeacutetais dudu retour retour(She knew that I was (She discoveredfound back) out that I was back)

vouloir (to want) Nous voulions voyager Nous avons voulu(We wanted to travel) voyager

(We decided to travel)

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You also use the imperfect tense with the following constructions in order to expressongoing actions in the past ecirctre en train de (to be in the middle of something) andvenir de + infinitive (had just done something)

Il eacutetait en train de conduire quand il a vu lrsquoaccident (He was [in the middle of]driving when he saw the accident)

Je venais de jouer au tennis alors jrsquoavais mal au bras (I had just played tennis somy arm was sorehurting)

Translate the following sentences and put the verbs in the imperfect or the passeacutecomposeacute For some sentences more than one verb can be used Refer to Table 13-4

Q I thought that you were married

A Je croyais que tu eacutetais marieacute

21 They had to pay a fine (une amende)

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Sarah was supposed to write a composition

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 We had to sell the house

__________________________________________________________________________________

24 You decided to register for classes

__________________________________________________________________________________

25 I knew that he was ill

__________________________________________________________________________________

26 Mathieu succeeded in winning the medal

__________________________________________________________________________________

27 We thought you were leaving

__________________________________________________________________________________

28 They found out the truth

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 My parents wanted to go to Paris

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 I had to stay with the kids

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Understanding the contextAlthough certain rules guide you in choosing between the imperfect and the passeacutecomposeacute sometimes the choice also depends on the context of the narration as well ason the speakerrsquos or authorrsquos point of view Along with these two tenses you can alsoadd the pluperfect (see Chapter 12 on how to form the pluperfect) which expressesa completed action in the past that had happened even before the passeacute composeacuteRemember that the meaning of the pluperfect in English is had

Jrsquoai trouveacute le livre que jrsquoavais perdu (I found the book that I had lost)

In the following paragraph decide which past tenses are more accurate for eachblank Choose from the pluperfect the imperfect and the passeacute composeacute

Q Il _________________ (faire) beau et je _________________ (deacutecider) de me promener dans leparc Pendant que je _________________ (se promener) il _________________ (commencer) agrave pleuvoir

A Il faisait beau et jrsquoai deacutecideacute de me promener dans le parc Pendant que je me promenaisil a commenceacute agrave pleuvoir (It was nice out and I decided to take a walk in the park While Iwas walking it began to rain)

Heacutelene 31_______________(naicirctre) dans une petite ville au nord de

France Sa famille et elle 32_______________ (habiter) une maison agrave

trois chambres que son grand-peregrave 33_______________ (construire)

vingt ans avant Son pegravere 34_______________ (travailler) au

centre-ville et sa megravere 35_______________ (srsquooccuper) de son fregravere et

drsquoelle aussi bien que de ses grands-parents Elle 36_______________

(aller) agrave lrsquoeacutecole agrave pied avec tous les enfants du quartier Ils

37_______________ (porter) des uniformes bleus avec des cols de

dentelles blanches Un jour quand elle 38_______________ (rentrer)

agrave la maison son pegravere 39_______________ (annoncer) qursquoils

partiraient pour les Eacutetats-Unis En deux mois tout

40_______________ (ecirctre) precirct pour le grand deacutemeacutenagement Le jour

de leur deacutepart tous ses amis 41_______________ (venir) lui rendre

visite pour lui dire au revoir Heacutelene 42_______________ (se sentir)

triste de quitter sa patrie mais elle 43_______________ (ecirctre)

impatiente de voir son nouveau pays

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Answer KeyThis section contains the answers to all the practice exercises in this chapter Reviewyour answers to see how you did

a Je me douchais quand tu mrsquoas appeleacute (I was taking a shower when you called me)

b Nous sommes alleacutes au theacuteacirctre cinq fois (We went to the theater five times)

c Benjamin jouait au tennis pendant que Meacutelanie nageait (Benjamin was playing tennis whileMeacutelanie was swimming)

d Il pleuvait mais il faisait tregraves doux (It was raining but it was very mild)

e Quand il eacutetait petit il mettait toujours ses chaussures de travers (When he was young hewould always put on his shoes the wrong way)

f Dans la forecirct il y avait un silence profond (In the forest there was a profound silence)

g Je corrigeais les examens pendant que tu faisais tes devoirs (I was correcting the exams whileyou were doing your homework)

h Le professeur a expliqueacute le subjonctif trois fois (The professor explained the subjunctive threetimes)

i Ils travaillaient quand ils ont entendu des siregravenes (They were working when they heard sirens)

j Chaque eacuteteacute nous allions agrave la plage (Every summer we would go to the beach)

k Je le voyais chaque fois que jrsquoallais au cours (I would see him every time I would go to class)

l En geacuteneacuteral nous partions en vacances en juin (In general we would leave for vacation in June)

m Hier ils ont fait les courses (Yesterday they ran errands)

n Les enfants jouaient dans le parc quand tout drsquoun coup il a commenceacute agrave pleuvoir (The childrenwere playing in the park when all of a sudden it began to rain)

o Autrefois mes grands-parents habitaient en Champagne (In the past my grandparents used tolive in Champagne)

p Papa travaillait souvent le samedi (Dad would often work on Saturdays)

q Tu dormais quand je suis rentreacute (You were sleeping when I came home)

r Je me promenais drsquohabitude au jardin de Luxemburg (I would usually go for a walkstroll inthe Luxemburg Garden)

s La semaine derniegravere nous avons reccedilu une contravention (Last week we received a ticket)

t Ils buvaient toujours du vin au dicircner (They would always drink some wine at dinner)

u Ils ont ducirc payer une amende

v Sarah devait eacutecrire une composition

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w Il a fallu vendre la maison Or Nous avons ducirc vendre la maison

x Tu as voulu trsquoinscrire aux cours

y Je savais qursquoil eacutetait malade

A Mathieu a pu gagner la meacutedaille

B Nous croyions que tu partais

C Ils ont su la veacuteriteacute

D Mes parents voulaient aller agrave Paris

E Jrsquoai ducirc rester avec les enfants

F

I

N

O

P

Q

G

H

J

K

L

M

R

Hegravelene est neacutee dans une petite ville au nord de France Sa famille et elle

habitaient une maison agrave trois chambres que son grand-pegravere

avait construite vingt ans avant Son pegravere travaillait au centre-ville et sa

megravere srsquooccupait de son fregravere et drsquoelle aussi bien que de ses

grands-parents Elle allait agrave lrsquoeacutecole a pied avec tous les enfants du quartier

Ils portaient des uniformes bleus avec des cols de dentelles blanches Un

jour quand elle est rentreacutee agrave la maison son pegravere a annonceacute qursquoils

partiraient pour les Eacutetats-Unis En deux mois tout eacutetait precirct pour le grand

deacutemeacutenagement Le jour de leur deacutepart tous ses amis sont venus lui

rendre visite pour lui dire au revoir Hegravelene se sentait triste de quitter sa

patrie mais elle eacutetait impatiente de voir son nouveau pays

(Helen was born in a small town in the north of France Her family and she lived in a three bedroom house that her grandfather had built twenty years before Her father was working in the center of town and her mother was taking care of her brother and her as well as of her grandparents She would go to school on foot with all the children of the neighborhood They would wear blue uniforms with white lace collars One day when she came home her father announced that they would leave for the United States In two months everything was ready for the big move The day of their departure all her friends came to visit her to say good bye Helen felt sad leaving her homeland but she waited with impatience to see her new country)

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Chapter 14

Deciphering the Literary Tenses The Passeacute Simple and

Passeacute AnteacuterieurIn This Chapter Conjugating the passeacute simple

Forming the passeacute anteacuterieur

French has some tenses that are reserved for writing only The passeacute simple and thepasseacute anteacuterieur or past anterior are two such tenses You only need to recognize them

in case you ever curl up with your favorite French novel or short story

The passeacute simple is a literary tense that expresses a completed action in the past In fact ithas the same meaning as the passeacute composeacute which is a compound tense Meanwhile thepasseacute anteacuterieur is the past of the passeacute simple You use it when one action in the past has tohappen before another action takes place in the past This chapter does have a short sec-tion on it just so that you can identify it when you see it

Because theyrsquore both literary tenses you donrsquot use them in everyday conversation Thischapter briefly looks at the passeacute simple and passeacute anteacuterieur and helps you identify andconjugate them in case you do encounter them

Creating the Passeacute SimpleAs the name indicates the passeacute simple is a simple verb which means that the verb is conjugated by itself without an auxiliary If you have never seen the passeacute simple before itcan seem very odd (especially the plural endings) This section helps you recognize it Anddonrsquot worry about using it too much in your own writing You can use the passeacute composeacuteinstead to express a completed action in the past Check out Chapter 13 for more on thepasseacute composeacute This section shows you how to conjugate the passeacute simple for regular andirregular verbs

Regular verbsThe passeacute simple of regular verbs is fairly easy to form Just drop the -er -ir and -re of theinfinitives and add the endings However -er verbs have different endings than -ir and -reverbs The following charts show you the different endings

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Regular -er Verb Endings for the Passeacute Simple

je -ai nous -acircmes

tu -as vous -acirctes

ilelleon -a ilselles -egraverent

parler (to speak)

je parlai nous parlacircmes

tu parlas vous parlacirctes

ilelleon parla ilselles parlegraverent

Il parla de la politique franccedilaise (He spoke about French politics)

Regular -ir and -re Verb Endings for the Passeacute Simple

je -is nous -icircmes

tu -is vous -icirctes

ilelleon -it ilselles -irent

finir (to finish)

je finis nous finicircmes

tu finis vous finicirctes

ilelle finit ilselles finirent

Mes grands-parents finirent la construction de leur maison avant la guerre (My grandparents finished building their house before the war)

vendre (to sell)

je vendis nous vendicircmes

tu vendis vous vendicirctes

ilelleon vendit ilselles vendirent

La France vendit la Louisiane aux Eacutetats-Unis en 1803 (France sold Louisiana to the United States in 1803)

Most irregular verbsYou form the passeacute simple of most irregular verbs by taking their past participles andadding endings If the past participle of a verb ends in u add the following endings -s -s -t -ucircmes -ucirctes -rent

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 164

boire (to drink)

je bus nous bucircmes

tu bus vous bucirctes

ilelleon but ilselles burent

Nous bucircmes un Dom Perignon pour nos cinquante ans de mariage (We drank Dom Perignon champagne for our 50th wedding anniversary)

You also use these same endings for avoir whose past participle ends in u

avoir (to have)

jrsquoeus nous eucircmes

tu eus vous eucirctes

ilelleon eut ilselles eurent

Vous eucirctes votre diplocircme avant la manifestation des eacutetudiants (You got your degree before the studentsrsquo protest)

The passeacute simple of ecirctre is irregular although the endings are the same as avoir

ecirctre (to be)

je fus nous fucircmes

tu fus vous fucirctes

ilelleon fut ilselles furent

Il fut Preacutesident de la Reacutepublique Franccedilaise en 1945 (He was President of the French Republic in 1945)

Table 14-1 lists some verbs whose past participles end in u and thus follow the samepattern as boire (to drink)

Table 14-1 Verbs with Past Participles That End in uInfinitive Past Participle Stem

boire (to drink) bu-

connaicirctre (to know) connu-

courir (to run) couru-

croire (to believe) cru-

devoir (to owe to have to) ducirc-

falloir (to have to to must) fallu-

lire (to read) lu-

paraicirctre (to appear to seem) paru-

(continued)

165Chapter 14 Deciphering the Literary Tenses The Passeacute Simple and Passeacute Anteacuterieur

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 165

Table 14-1 (continued)Infinitive Past Participle Stem

plaire (to please) plu-

pleuvoir (to rain) plu-

pouvoir (to be able to) pu-

recevoir (to receive) reccedilu-

savoir (to know) su-

vivre (to live) veacutecu-

vouloir (to want to) voulu-

These verbs are used in the third person singular (il) only

Irregular stem verbs with regular endingsSome verbs have an irregular stem but regular endings -is -is -it -icircmes -icirctes and-irent Dire (to say) is a good example

dire (to say)

je dis nous dicircmes

tu dis vous dicirctes

ilelleon dit ilselles dirent

Elle dit au revoir agrave ses amis avant de partir(She told her friends goodbye before leaving)

Table 14-2 lists some verbs similar to dire

Table 14-2 Verbs with Irregular Stems and Regular EndingsInfinitive Stem

craindre (to fear) craign-

dire (to say) d-

eacutecrire (to write) eacutecriv-

faire (to do to make) f-

mettre (to put to place) m-

naicirctre (to be born) naqu-

prendre (to take) pr-

rire (to laugh) r-

voir (to see) v-

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 166

Completely irregularThe passeacute simple of the verbs venir (to come) and tenir (to hold) and all their com-pounds are irregular and have different endings The endings are as follows -ins -ins-int -icircnmes -icircntes and -inrent

venir (to come)

je vins nous vicircnmes

tu vins vous vicircntes

ilelleon vint ilselles vinrent

Ils vinrent avant le coucher du soleil (They came before sunset)

Put the following verbs in the passeacute simple

Q Nous _________________ (avoir) de la chance

A Nous eucircmes de la chance (We were lucky)

1 Il _________________ (naicirctre) le 3 deacutecembre 1816

2 Les enfants _________________ (craindre) les histoires drsquoeacutepouvante

3 Vous _________________ (voir) des tableaux au museacutee

4 Vincent Van Gogh _________________ (envoyer) beaucoup de lettres agrave son fregravere Theacuteo

5 Gaugin _________________ (passer) beaucoup de temps agrave Tahiti

6 Nous _________________ (faire) des costumes pour Mardi Gras

7 Je _________________ (recevoir) des cadeaux pour mon anniversaire

8 Mon grand-pegravere _________________ (finir) ses eacutetudes en 1923

9 Il _________________ (ecirctre) stupeacutefait

10 Elle _________________ (vivre) quarante ans en France

Creating the Passeacute AnteacuterieurThe passeacute anteacuterieur is a compound tense and it expresses an action that has takenplace even before the passeacute simple The passeacute anteacuterieur is also a literary tense andyou donrsquot use it in conversational French You need only to recognize it when youcome across it while reading your favorite French author(s) Like the passeacute simpleyou see it mostly in the third person singular and third person plural Form it by put-ting the auxiliaries avoir and ecirctre in the passeacute simple and adding the past participleof any verb of your choice Remember to follow the same rules of agreement of thepast participle with the passeacute anteacuterieur as you do with the passeacute composeacute or withany comound past tense (Check out Chapter 12 for the lowdown on the rules ofagreement)

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 167

parler (to speak)

jrsquoeus parleacute nous eucircmes parleacute

tu eus parleacute vous eucirctes parleacute

ilelleon eut parleacute ilselles eurent parleacute

Il eut parleacute au peuple agrave la radio avant drsquoapparaicirctre agrave la teacuteleacutevision (He had spoken to the people on the radio before appearing on television)

partir (to leave)

je fus parti(e) nous fucircmes partis(es)

tu fus parti(e) vous fucirctes parti(e)(s)(es)

ilelleon fut parti(e) ilselles furent partis(es)

Ils furent partis avant lrsquoouragan (They had left before the hurricane)

Because the passeacute anteacuterieur expresses an action that has taken place before the actionof the passeacute simple you generally use it after the following conjunctions quand(when) lorsque (when) apregraves que (after) degraves que (as soon as) and agrave peine que(hardly) With the expression agrave peine que you have to invert the subject and theconjugated verb This is similar to what you do in English with this expression Look atthe following example and its translation in English

Agrave peine eut-il fini sa piegravece qursquoil la preacutesenta au roi (Hardly had he finished hisplay when he presented it to the king)

Quand les eacutetudiants eurent manifesteacute les ouvriers les suivirent (When the students protestedhad protested the workers followed them)

Choose between the passeacute simple and the passeacute anteacuterieur forms of the verbs inparentheses and conjugate them

Q Lorsque son pegravere _________________ (laisser) ses cleacutes Seacutebastien les _________________(prendre)

A Lorsque son pegravere eut laisseacute ses cleacutes Seacutebastien les prit (When his father had left the keysSeacutebastien took them)

11 A peine qursquoil _________________ (sortir) que le teacuteleacutephone _________________ (sonner)

12 Lorsque le patron _________________ (surveiller) les employeacutes ils _________________ (travailler) attentivement

13 Apregraves qursquoils _________________ (finir) leur travail ils _________________ (ecirctre) payeacutes

14 Quand nous _________________ (deacutecider) de voyager nous _________________ (choisir)lrsquoAsie

15 Degraves qursquoelle _________________ (finir) ses eacutetudes elle _________________ (trouver) du travail

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 168

Answer KeyThis section contains the correct answers to the practice problems in this chapter

a Il naquit le 3 deacutecembre 1816 (He was born on December 3 1816)

b Les enfants craignirent les histoires drsquoeacutepouvante (The children feared the horror stories)

c Vous vicirctes des tableaux au museacutee (You saw paintings at the museum)

d Vincent Van Gogh envoya beaucoup de lettres agrave son fregravere Theacuteo (Van Gogh sent many letters tohis brother Theacuteo)

e Gaugin passa beaucoup de temps agrave Tahiti (Gaugin spent a lot of time in Tahiti)

f Nous ficircmes des costumes pour Mardi Gras (We made costumes for Mardi Gras)

g Je reccedilus des cadeaux pour mon anniversaire (I received gifts for my birthday)

h Mon grand-pegravere finit ses eacutetudes en 1923 (My grandfather finished his studies in 1923)

i Il fut stupeacutefait (He was astonished)

j Elle veacuteccedilut quarante ans en France (She lived in France for forty years)

k A peine fut-il sorti que le teacuteleacutephone sonna (Hardly had he left when the telephone rang)

l Lorsque le patron eut surveilleacute les employeacutes ils travaillegraverent attentivement (When the bosshad kept a watch on the employees they worked attentively)

m Apregraves qursquoils eurent fini leur travail ils furent payeacutes (After they had finished their work theywere paid)

n Quand nous eucircmes deacutecideacute de voyager nous choisicircmes lrsquoAsie (When we had decided to travelwe chose Asia)

o Degraves qursquoelle eut fini ses eacutetudes elle trouva du travail (As soon as she had finished her studiesshe found a job)

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 169

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 170

Part IVLooking Ahead The Futureand the Conditional Tenses

21_773883 pt04qxp 72806 845 PM Page 171

In this part

After a long winter do you look forward to springAfter an exhausting week at work do you look for-

ward to the weekend If so yoursquore not alone But how doyou look forward to things like your weekend your vaca-tion or to a celebration With the future tense of course

This part shows you how to form the future tense soyou can express anything you can imagine in the futureIn addition to forming the future tense I also show you howto use it in French which is important because you use thefuture tense a bit differently in French than in English fol-lowing certain expressions I also explain the future perfecttense which you use when you want to state that onefuture action has to happen before another future actioncan occur or that you will have to finish something bya certain time

In addition to the future and future perfect I show youhow to form and use the conditional and past conditionaltenses You can order anything you want to eat or drink ina French restaurant with the conditional tense and showyour good manners at the same time

21_773883 pt04qxp 72806 845 PM Page 172

Chapter 15

Moving Forward with the Future TenseIn This Chapter Forming the regular and irregular forms of the future tense

Knowing the differences between the future tense in English and in French

Expressing yourself in the future tense

Imagine yoursquore sitting in a cafeacute with your best friend and she asks whether yoursquove everbeen to Bora Bora What a coincidence Yoursquove never been there but yoursquore planning on

going next month Do you know which verb tense you use to describe your trip next month

In order to describe your trip to Bora Bora next month you use the future tense With thistense you can describe events that will occur either at a specific time or an unspecified timein the future In this chapter you can discover how to form the future tense and how to useit with various expressions

Forming the Future of Regular VerbsDo you want to tell your sister about your upcoming doctorrsquos visit Or perhaps you want totell your brother about the French test yoursquore dreading that you have to take next week Youneed to use the future tense which is one of the simplest tenses to form

Creating the future tense for regular -er -ir and -re verbs is a piece of cake All you have todo is take the infinitive verb which serves as the stem and simply add the appropriate end-ings Remember that the future stem of all verbs be they regular or irregular always ends in-r So for -er and -ir verbs just add the endings For -re verbs drop the e and then add theappropriate endings which I show in the following examples Note Even some irregularverbs (those that have an irregular conjugation in the present tense) are regular in thefuture because they have a regular stem in the future (just take their infinitives and add theendings to form the future)

Future Tense Verb Endings

je -ai nous -ons

tu -as vous -ez

ilelleon -a ilselles -ont

Do these future endings look familiar If yoursquore familiar with the present conjugation ofavoir (to have) you may notice a similarity

The following are the three categories of regular verbs mdash -er -ir and -re mdash in the futuretense

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 173

parler (to speak)

je parlerai nous parlerons

tu parleras vous parlerez

ilelleon parlera ilselles parleront

Je parlerai agrave lrsquoagent de voyage demain (I will speak to the travel agent tomorrow)

finir (to finish)

je finirai nous finirons

tu finiras vous finirez

ilelleon finira ilselles finiront

Ils finiront leurs eacutetudes lrsquoanneacutee prochaine (They will finish their studies next year)

vendre (to sell)

je vendrai nous vendrons

tu vendras vous vendrez

ilelleon vendra ilselles vendront

Nous vendrons nos livres agrave la fin du semestre (We will sell our books at the end of the semester)

Put these verbs in the future tense

Q Tu _________________ (eacutetudier)

A Tu eacutetudieras (You will study)

1 Les enfants _________________ (jouer)

2 Il _________________ (apprendre)

3 Vous _________________ (comprendre)

4 Je _________________ (travailler)

5 Nous _________________ (partir)

6 Elle _________________ (reacuteussir)

7 Tu _________________ (lire)

8 Vous _________________ (boire)

9 Les eacutetudiants _________________ (reacutepondre)

10 Nous _________________ (arriver)

174 Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional Tenses

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 174

Forming the Future of Spelling-Change VerbsSome -er verbs have a mute or silent e in the infinitive When you conjugate thesetypes of verbs in the present tense some spelling changes are required in order topronounce the mute e You either add an accent grave to the e like so (egrave) or youdouble the consonant after the mute e (See Chapter 3 for a list of these types ofverbs) The same types of changes occur to these verbs in the future tense In orderto pronounce the mute e in the infinitive add an accent grave to the e (see Table 15-1)or double the consonant after the mute e (see Table 15-2) Now add the future end-ings which are always the same

Verbs whose infinitive form ends in -yer change to -ier before the endings I show youexamples of these verbs in Table 15-3 (The only exception is the verb envoyer [tosend] whose future stem is enverr-)

Table 15-1 Adding an Accent Grave (egrave) to Spelling-Change Verbs in the Future Tense

Verb Future Tense Stem

acheter (to buy) achegraveter-

amener (to bring) amegravener-

mener (to lead) megravener-

(se) lever (to riseto stand up) (se) legravever-

(se) promener (to go for a walka stroll) (se) promegravener-

Table 15-2 Doubling the Consonant of Spelling-Change Verbs in the Future Tense

eacutepeler (to spell) epeller-

jeter (to throw) jetter-

(srsquo) appeler (to callto call oneselfto be named) (srsquo) appeller-

Table 15-3 Changing -yer to -ier with Spelling-Change Verbs in the Future Tense

employer (to use) emploier-

essayer (to try) essaier-

nettoyer (to clean) nettoier-

175Chapter 15 Moving Forward with the Future Tense

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 175

Jrsquoachegraveterai mon billet la semaine prochaine (I will buy my ticket next week)

Elle appellera son chien (She will call her dog)

Nous nettoierons notre chambre (We will clean our room)

The following verbs donrsquot have a stem change in the future tense In other wordsdonrsquot change the accents in the infinitive for espeacuterer (to hope) preacutefeacuterer (to prefer)and reacutepeacuteter (to repeat)

Tu reacutepeacuteteras apregraves le professeur (You will repeat after the professor)

Put these verbs in the future tense and then translate the sentences

Q Je _________________ (eacutepeler) le nom du pays __________________________________

A Jrsquoeacutepellerai le nom du pays I will spell the name of the country

11 Nous _________________ (essayer) la mousse au chocolat

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ (amener) leurs amis

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Vous _________________ (jeter) la balle

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Je _________________ (appeler) mon ami

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ (nettoyer) ta chambre

__________________________________________________________________________________

16 Elle _________________ (acheter) le jouet

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 Nous _________________ (preacutefeacuterer) le theacute

__________________________________________________________________________________

18 Elles _________________ (mener) le groupe

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Tu _________________ (espeacuterer) voyager

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 Vous _________________ (employer) lrsquoordinateur

__________________________________________________________________________________

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 176

Forming the Future of Irregular VerbsSome verbs have an irregular future stem However the endings remain the sameTable 15-4 lists the verbs with the irregular future tense stem

Table 15-4 Irregular Future Tense VerbsIrregular Verb Future Tense Stem

aller (to go) ir-

avoir (to have) aur-

courir (to run) courr-

devenir (to become) deviendr-

devoir (to owe to have to) devr-

envoyer (to send) enverr-

ecirctre (to be) ser-

faire (to do to make) fer-

falloir (to have to to must) faudr-

mourir (to die) mourr-

pleuvoir (to rain) pleuvr-

pouvoir (to be able to) pourr-

recevoir (to receive) recevr-

retenir (to retain to keep) retiendr-

revenir (to come back) reviendr-

savoir (to know) saur-

tenir (to hold) tiendr-

valoir (to be worth) vaudr-

venir (to come) viendr-

voir (to see) verr-

vouloir (to want to) voudr-

Jrsquoirai agrave la plage (I will go to the beach)

Elle saura la reacuteponse bientocirct (She will know the answer soon)

Put the following verbs in the future tense and translate them

Q Il _________________ (pleuvoir) demain

A Il pleuvra demain It will rain tomorrow

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 177

21 Vous _________________ (aller) au cineacutema

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Tu _________________ (venir) ce soir

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Ils _________________ (voir) le film

__________________________________________________________________________________

24 Je _________________ (pouvoir) sortir

__________________________________________________________________________________

25 Nous _________________ (faire) le marcheacute

__________________________________________________________________________________

Identifying the Differences between Englishand French when Using the Future Tense

You use the future tense a bit differently in French than in English In French you usethe future with expressions that imply a future action as in the expressions as soonas and when For example in English you say When I go to France I will speak FrenchHowever you arenrsquot in France yet and therefore this implies a future action TheFrench say When I will go to France I will speak French Table 15-5 is a short tablewith these expressions

Table 15-5 Expressions Followed by the FutureFrench Expression English Translation

aussitocirct que as soon as

degraves que as soon as

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

Aussitocirct que papa rentrera nous dicircnerons (As soon as dad comes [will come]home we will have dinner)

Translate the following sentences Remember that the future tense is used in bothclauses in French

Q As long as it doesnrsquot rain we will go to the beach

A Tant qursquoil ne pleuvra pas nous irons agrave la plage

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 178

26 As soon as we have dinner we will go to the movies

__________________________________________________________________________________

27 When they go to Rome they will visit the Coliseum

__________________________________________________________________________________

28 I will travel as soon as I have enough money

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 When we wake up we will have breakfast

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 She will have a glass of wine when she finishes these exercises

__________________________________________________________________________________

Expressing Yourself and Using ReferencesFuture Style

After you become comfortable creating the simple future tense yoursquoll become famil-iar with some expressions and when to use them These expressions allow you toform complete sentences in order to describe future events Table 15-6 lists sometime expressions which provide more specific information as to when in the futurethe event will take place You can place them either in the beginning or at the end ofthe sentence

Table 15-6 Important Expressions to Use with the Future TenseFrench Expression English Translation

demain tomorrow

demain matin tomorrow morning

demain apregraves-midi tomorrow afternoon

demain soir tomorrow evening

la semaine prochaine next week

le mois prochain next month

lrsquoanneacutee prochaine next year

lundi prochain next Monday

plus tard later

cet apregraves-midi this afternoon

ce soir this evening

cet eacuteteacute this summer

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 179

Ils passeront un examen demain (They will take the test tomorrow)

Translate the following sentences into French by using the future tense

Q I will see my friends next Monday

A Je verrai mes amis lundi prochain

31 We will travel to Europe this summer

__________________________________________________________________________________

32 I will play tennis next week

__________________________________________________________________________________

33 My in-laws will be arriving later

__________________________________________________________________________________

34 The professors will attend a conference next month

__________________________________________________________________________________

35 My friends and I will go to the movies Saturday evening

__________________________________________________________________________________

Now translate the following sentences from French to English by using the future tense

Q Je partirai demain matin

A I will leave tomorrow morning

36 Ils eacutetudieront pour lrsquoexamen final

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Michelle se reacuteveillera agrave 7 heures demain matin

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Nous nagerons cet apregraves-midi

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Vous vous verrez la semaine prochaine

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Il achegravetera une nouvelle voiture

__________________________________________________________________________________

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 180

Answer KeyIn this section you can find all the answers to the practice exercises in this chapterHow did you do

a Les enfants joueront (The children will play)

b Il apprendra (He will learn)

c Vous comprendrez (You will understand)

d Je travaillerai (I will work)

e Nous partirons (We will leave)

f Elle reacuteussira (She will succeed)

g Tu liras (You will read)

h Vous boirez (You will drink)

i Les eacutetudiants reacutepondront (The students will answer)

j Nous arriverons (We will arrive)

k Nous essaierons la mousse au chocolat We will try the chocolate mousse

l Ils amegraveneront leurs amis They will bring their friends

m Vous jetterez la balle You will throw the ball

n Jrsquoappellerai mon ami I will call my friend

o Tu nettoieras ta chambre You will clean your room

p Elle achegravetera le jouet She will buy the toy

q Nous preacutefeacutererons le theacute We will prefer tea

r Elles megraveneront le groupe They will lead the group

s Tu espeacutereras voyager You will hope to travel

t Vous emploierez lrsquoordinateur You will use the computer

u Vous irez au cineacutema You will go to the movies

v Tu viendras ce soir You will come this evening

w Ils verront le film They will see the film

x Je pourrai sortir I will be able to go out

y Nous ferons le marcheacute We will do the shopping

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 181

A Aussitocirct que nous dicircnerons nous irons au cineacutema

B Quand ils iront agrave Rome ils visiteront le Coliseacutee

C Je voyagerai degraves que jrsquoaurai assez drsquoargent

D Lorsque nous nous reacuteveillerons nous prendrons le petit-deacutejeuner

E Elle aura un verre de vin quand elle finira ces exercices

F Nous voyagerons en Europe cet eacuteteacute

G Je jouerai au tennis la semaine prochaine

H Mes beaux-parents arriveront plus tard

I Les professeurs assisteront agrave une confeacuterence le mois prochain

J Mes amis et moi iront au cineacutema samedi soir

K They will study for the final exam

L Michelle will wake up at 7 orsquoclock tomorrow morning

M We will go swimming this afternoon

N You will see each other next week

O He will buy a new car

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 182

Chapter 16

Completing a Future Action with the Future Perfect

In This Chapter Creating the future perfect tense

Knowing the expressions that require the use of the future perfect

In todayrsquos world when everything has to be done yesterday do you ever say to yourself ldquoI will have this or that done by a certain timerdquo such as before you leave the office or by

Friday If so you use the future perfect tense

The future perfect tense is a compound tense requiring an auxiliary and a past participleYou use it to describe events that will have taken place before another future action Youcan also use the future perfect alone to express that a future action will have been com-pleted by a certain time in the future The meaning of this tense in English is will have donesomething You can also use the future perfect to express a probability or a supposition Forexample Paul nrsquoest pas venu agrave lrsquoeacutecole hier Il aura eacuteteacute malade means Paul did not come toschool yesterday He probably wasmust have been ill

Like the simple future tense (see Chapter 15) you use the future perfect with expressionsthat imply a future action such as when and as soon as In this chapter you discover how toform the future perfect tense and how to correctly use it

Forming the Future PerfectThe future perfect tense is a compound tense and it follows the same pattern as all otherpast compound tenses in French You need one of the two auxiliaries avoir (to have) orecirctre (to be) followed by the past participle of any verb you want

You form the future perfect by putting the auxiliaries in the future tense and adding the pastparticiple of the verb of your choice Remember that the choice of the auxiliary depends onthe verb Most verbs take the auxiliary avoir and some take ecirctre (For a list of these verbsand for the formation of the past participles see Chapter 12)

First you need to know how to conjugate avoir and ecirctre in the future tense After you conju-gate the auxiliary you add the past participle

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 183

avoir (to have)

jrsquoaurai nous aurons

tu auras vous aurez

ilelleon aura ilselles auront

Ils auront les reacutesultats bientocirct (They will have the results soon)

ecirctre (to be)

je serai nous serons

tu seras vous serez

ilelleon sera ilselles seront

Nous serons agrave lrsquoheure (We will be on time)

The following tables show three examples mdash the verbs finir (to finish) arriver (toarrive) and se reacuteveiller (to wake up) Finir takes the auxiliary avoir arriver takesecirctre and se reacuteveiller also takes ecirctre

For pronominal verbs place the pronominal pronoun in front of the auxiliary ecirctrewhich is followed by the past participle of the verb All pronominal verbs are conju-gated with the auxiliary ecirctre

finir (to finish)

jrsquoaurai fini nous aurons fini

tu auras fini vous aurez fini

ilelleon aura fini ilselles auront fini

Ils auront fini avant le weekend (They will have finished before the weekend)

arriver (to arrive)

je serai arriveacute(e) nous serons arriveacutes(es)

tu seras arriveacute(e) vous serez arriveacute(s)(e)(es)

ilelleon sera arriveacute(e) ilselles seront arriveacutes(es)

Nous serons arriveacutes avant le 5 aoucirct (We will have arrived before the 5th of August)

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 184

se reacuteveiller (to wake up)

je me serai reacuteveilleacute(e) nous nous serons reacuteveilleacutes(es)

tu te seras reacuteveilleacute(e) vous vous serez reacuteveilleacute (s)(e)(es)

ilelleon se sera reacuteveilleacute(e) ilselles se seront reacuteveilleacutes(es)

Je me serai reacuteveilleacute(e) de bonne heure pour preacuteparer le petit-deacutejeuner (I will have awakened early to prepare breakfast)

Put the following verbs in the future perfect and then translate the sentences

Q Je _________________ (finir) mes exercices

A Jrsquoaurai fini mes exercices I will have finished my exercises

1 Ils _________________ (avoir) un accident

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Elle _________________ (prendre) le vol drsquoavant

__________________________________________________________________________________

3 Tu _________________ (ne pas manger) toute la journeacutee

__________________________________________________________________________________

4 Vous _________________ (partir) tocirct

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Il lui _________________ (envoyer) des fleurs

__________________________________________________________________________________

6 Elle _________________ (appeler) la police

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Ils _________________ (oublier) de fermer agrave cleacute

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Tu _________________ (voir) la Joconde

__________________________________________________________________________________

9 Vous _________________ (gagner) la loterie

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Il _________________ (rentrer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

185Chapter 16 Completing a Future Action with the Future Perfect

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 185

To put the future perfect in the negative simply place the ne before the auxiliary andplace pas or any other negative word after the auxiliary For pronominal verbs the neprecedes the pronominal pronoun and the pas or another negative word follows theauxiliary

Il nrsquoaura pas fini sa composition avant la classe (He will not have finished hiscomposition before class)

Tu ne te seras pas leveacute avant sept heures (You will not have gotten up by sevenorsquoclock)

Put these verbs in the future perfect tense and then translate the sentences

Q Nous _________________ (ne pas se rencontrer) avant samedi

A Nous ne nous serons pas rencontreacutes avant samedi We will not have met each other before Saturday

11 Il _________________ (partir) avant huit heures

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Nous _________________ (ne pas manger) avant de sortir

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Les enfants _________________ (rentrer) apregraves avoir joueacute au foot

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Dans une semaine tu _________________ (recevoir) ton diplocircme

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ (se reacuteveiller) avant notre deacutepart

__________________________________________________________________________________

16 Mes parents _________________ (ne pas arriver) avant dix heures

__________________________________________________________________________________

17 Dans trois jours nous _________________ (partir) pour lrsquoAustralie

__________________________________________________________________________________

18 Je _________________ (poster) les cartes postales avant la fin de la journeacutee

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Avant de quitter le pays Eric _________________ (vendre) sa voiture

__________________________________________________________________________________

20 Tu _________________ (ne pas rester) apregraves minuit

__________________________________________________________________________________

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 186

Using the Future Perfect CorrectlyLike the future tense (see Chapter 15) you can use the future perfect with expressionsthat imply a future action as in the expressions as soon as and when However doing sois very different from English which uses the present or present perfect tense Checkout the following example In English you say As soon as I finish my courses I willreceive my diploma You havenrsquot finished your courses yet so this statement impliesa future action In French you can either use the future simple tense in both clauses(As soon as I will finish my courses I will receive my diploma) or because one action(the fact that I will have to finish my courses) has to happen before another action cantake place (I will receive my diploma) you use the future perfect followed by the future(As soon as I will have finished my courses I will receive my diploma)

Degraves que je finirai mes cours je recevrai mon diplocircme (As soon as I will finish mycourses I will receive my diploma)

Degraves que jrsquoaurai fini mes cours je recevrai mon diplocircme (As soon as I will havefinished my courses I will receive my diploma)

You can also use the future or future perfect after the expressions apregraves que (after)tant que (as long as) or une fois que (once) if future action is implied Table 16-1 listssome common French expressions If you see one of these expressions you may needto use the future perfect tense if the future is implied

Table 16-1 Common Future Perfect ExpressionsFrench Expression English Translation

apregraves que after

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

une fois que once

Apregraves que mes inviteacutes seront arriveacutes je servirai lrsquoapeacuteritif (After my guests willhave arrived I will serve the aperitif)

You can also use the future perfect to express or even explain a probability

Caroline nrsquoest pas chez elle elle aura travailleacute tard (Caroline is not at home shemust have had to work late)

Choose between the future and the future perfect Remember to put the action thathas to come first in the future perfect and the action that comes second in the simplefuture

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 187

Q Une fois que nous _________________ (faire) nos devoirs nous _________________ (aller)voir un film

A Une fois que nous aurons fait nos devoirs nous irons voir un film (Once we will havedone our homework we will go see a movie)

21 Je te _________________ (payer) aussitocirct que je _________________ (toucher) mon chegraveque

22 Apregraves qursquoil _________________ (trouver) un emploi sa femme _________________ (ne plus travailler)

23 Lorsque que lrsquoentrepreneur _________________ (construire) notre maison nous_________________ (deacutemeacutenager)

24 Nous _________________ (sortir) apregraves qursquoAlexandre _________________ (srsquohabiller)

25 Une fois que je _________________ (acheter) les billets nous _________________ (pouvoir)entrer

26 Quand je _____ (finir) mes eacutetudes mes parents me _________________ (donner) uncadeau

27 Vous _____ (envoyer) votre curriculum vitae quand tu le _________________ (reacutediger)

28 Tu _____ (faire) le tour du monde lorsque tu _________________ (gagner) agrave la loterie

29 Aussitocirct que vous _________________ (se lever) je vous _________________ (preacuteparer)quelque chose agrave manger

30 Une fois qursquoelle _________________ (prendre) des meacutedicaments elle _________________(se sentir) mieux

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 188

Answer KeyThis section includes the answers to the practice problems in this chapter Compareyour answers to see how you did

a Ils auront eu un accident They probably hadmust have had an accident

b Elle aura pris le vol drsquoavant She probably tookmust have taken an earlier flight

c Tu nrsquoauras pas mangeacute toute la journeacutee You will not have eatenprobably have not eaten all day

d Vous serez parti tocirct You will probably have leftmust have left early

e Il lui aura envoyeacute des fleurs He will have sentprobably sent herhim flowers

f Elle aura appeleacute la police She will have calledprobably calledmust have called the police

g Ils auront oublieacute de fermer agrave cleacute They probably forgotmust have forgotten to lock the door

h Tu auras vu la Joconde You will have seenprobably sawmust have seen the Mona Lisa

i Vous aurez gagneacute la loterie You probably wonmust have won the lottery

j Il sera rentreacute He will have come back homeprobably camemust have come home

k Il sera parti avant huit heures He will have left by eight orsquoclock

l Nous nrsquoaurons pas mangeacute avant de sortir We will not have eaten before leaving

m Les enfants seront rentreacutes apregraves avoir joueacute au foot The children will have come home afterhaving played soccer

n Dans une semaine tu auras reccedilu ton diplocircme In a week you will have received your diploma(will have graduated)

o Tu te seras reacuteveilleacute(e) avant notre deacutepart You will have awakened before our departure

p Mes parents ne seront pas arriveacutes avant dix heures My parents will not have arrived beforebyten orsquoclock

q Dans trois jours nous serons partis pour lrsquoAustralie In three days we will have left for Australia

r Jrsquoaurai posteacute les cartes postales avant la fin de la journeacutee I will have mailed the postcardsbefore the end of the day

s Avant de quitter le pays Eric aura vendu sa voiture Before leaving the country Eric will havesold his car

t Tu ne seras pas resteacute(e) apregraves minuit You will not have stayed after midnight

u Je te paierai aussitocirct que jrsquoaurai toucheacute mon chegraveque (I will pay you as soon as I will havecashed my check)

v Apregraves qursquoil aura trouveacute un emploi sa femme ne travaillera plus (After he will have found ajob his wife will no longer work)

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 189

w Lorsque que lrsquoentrepreneur aura construit notre maison nous deacutemeacutenagerons (When the con-tractor will have built our house we will move)

x Nous sortirons apregraves qursquoAlexandre se sera habilleacute (We will go out after Alexandre will havegotten dressed)

y Une fois que jrsquoaurai acheteacute les billets nous pourrons entrer (Once I will have bought the ticketswe will be able to enter)

A Quand jrsquoaurai fini mes eacutetudes mes parents me donneront un cadeau (When I will have fin-ished my studies my parents will give me a gift)

B Vous enverrez votre curriculum vitae quand vous lrsquoaurez reacutedigeacute (You will send your curriculumvitae [reacutesumeacute] when you will have written it up)

C Tu feras le tour du monde lorsque tu auras gagneacute agrave la loterie (You will take a trip around theworld when you will have won the lottery)

D Aussitocirct que vous vous serez leveacute je vous preacuteparerai quelque chose agrave manger (As soon asyou will have gotten up I will prepare you something to eat)

E Une fois qursquoelle aura pris des meacutedicaments elle se sentira mieux (Once she will have takenmedication she will feel better)

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 190

Chapter 17

Could-ing and Would-ing with thePresent Conditional Tense

In This Chapter Creating the conditional tense

Trying the conditional

You likely use the present conditional tense all the time whether you realize it or notPerhaps you and your friends sit around and talk about not what you do (present

tense) did do (past tense) or will do (future tense) but about what you would do (condi-tional tense) Examples in English include sentences like I would go out with him We wouldgo to the movies if anything good were playing You would tell her what you think and Theywould throw a great party

So the conditional is a mood that expresses a possibility a supposition or a wish You alsouse it to make polite requests or suggestions as in Would you allow me to accompany youor I would choose the yellow dress The conditional has two tenses present and past Thischapter concentrates on the present conditional see Chapter 18 for more on the past condi-tional As you can tell from the examples the conditional tense is translated as would inEnglish (But donrsquot confuse the conditional tense with the imperfect tense that I talk aboutin Chapter 11 The imperfect can express the would of the past as in When I was young Iwould go fishing with my grandfather meaning that I used to go fishing with my grandfather)

At first you may be able to get by without the present conditional in French But this tensemakes you more polite makes your writing more interesting and spices up your conversa-tion Read through this chapter and master the ability to tell the world what you would do

Forming the ConditionalThe conditional tense allows you to express your opinions likes and dislikes more politelyand to make suggestions without seeming too imposing You may even call it the diplomatictense Furthermore you use the conditional tense in hypothetical sentences as in If it werenot raining we would go to the beach

You form the conditional by taking the infinitive of most verbs (the infinitive provides thestem) and adding endings If you read Chapter 15 you see that you form the future tense thesame way The conditional and the future tenses share a stem but the endings are differentThe endings of the future tense are derived from the verb avoir (to have) whereas the end-ings for the conditional match the endings for the imperfect tense (see the following table)The conditional tense is a composite of the future and the imperfect it has the same stemas the future tense and the endings of the imperfect tense (If you need more information on the future tense see Chapter 15 for details on the imperfect tense see Chapter 11)

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 191

Imperfect and Conditional Verb Endings

je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

The conditional stem always ends in r therefore remember to drop the e from -reverbs Check out the following examples on how to conjugate regular verbs in thepresent conditional tense

parler (to speak)

je parlerais nous parlerions

tu parlerais vous parleriez

ilelleon parlerait ilselles parleraient

Il parlerait au directeur (He would speak to the director)

finir (to finish)

je finirais nous finirions

tu finirais vous finiriez

ilelleon finirait ilselles finiraient

Nous finirions avant huit heures (We would finish before eight orsquoclock)

vendre (to sell)

je vendrais nous vendrions

tu vendrais vous vendriez

ilelleon vendrait ilselles vendraient

Je vendrais ma voiture (I would sell my car)

Now you can practice forming the conditional tense Put the following verbs in thepresent conditional

Q Je (demander) des renseignements

A Je demanderais des renseignements (I would ask for information)

1 Vous _________________ (voyager)

2 Sarah _________________ (eacutecrire) des poegravemes

3 Nous _________________ (rendre) les videacuteos

4 M et Mme Nadal _________________ (choisir) du champagne

5 Tu _________________ (srsquoinscrire) agrave lrsquouniversiteacute

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193Chapter 17 Could-ing and Would-ing with the Present Conditional Tense

6 Julien _________________ (obeacuteir) au conseiller

7 Je _________________ (poser) des questions

8 Mlle Cottin _________________ (aimer)-vous du cafeacute

9 Ameacutelie _________________ (preacutefeacuterer) la vanille au chocolat

10 Mes amis et moi _________________ (sortir) ce soir

Considering spelling-change -er verbsWith some -er infinitives you can add either an accent grave (see Table 17-1) ordouble the consonant (see Table 17-2) in order to form the conditional stem (as wellas the future tense) Also verbs whose infinitive form ends in -yer change to -ierbefore adding the endings (see Table 17-3) (The only exception is the verb envoyer[to send] whose future and conditional stem is enverr-) Check out the followingtables for lists of these verbs

Table 17-1 Adding the Accent Grave (egrave) to Spelling-Change Verbs in the Conditional Tense

Verb Conditional Tense Stem

Table 17-2 Doubling the Consonant of Spelling-Change Verbs in the Conditional Tense

eacutepeler (to spell) eacutepeller-

(srsquo) appeler (to call [oneself] to name) (srsquo) appeller-

Table 17-3 Changing -yer to -ier with Spelling-Change Verbs in the Conditional Tense

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Tu essaierais les escargots (You would try the snails)

The following verbs donrsquot have a stem change in the conditional tense preacutefeacuterer (toprefer) espeacuterer (to hope) and reacutepeacuteter (to repeat)

Nous preacutefeacutererions le vin blanc (We would prefer the white wine)

Conjugate the infinitive into the present conditional tense in the following practiceproblems

Q Il _________________ (amener) sa petite amie

A Il amegravenerait sa petite amie (He would bring his girlfriend)

11 Nous _________________ (acheter) des disques compacts

12 Tu _________________ (nettoyer) ton appartement

13 Les eacutetudiants _________________ (reacutepeacuteter) le dialogue

14 Vous _________________ (eacutepeler) des mots difficiles

15 Les enfants _________________ (jeter) des cailloux

16 Nous _________________ (espeacuterer) rester

17 Elle _________________ (employer) lrsquoordinateur

18 Vous _________________ (amener) vos parents

19 Marc _________________ (acheter) des baguettes

20 Je _________________ (mener) la discussion

Creating the conditional with irregular verbsSome verbs have an irregular stem Despite this irregularity however you still formthe conditional the same way by adding the same endings Table 17-4 shows theseirregular verbs in alphabetical order with the irregular stems and the verbsrsquo Englishtranslations

Table 17-4 Irregular Conditional Tense VerbsIrregular Verb Conditional Tense Stem

aller (to go) ir-

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Irregular Verb Conditional Tense Stem

falloir (to have to must) faudr-

voir (to see) verr-

vouloir (to want) voudr-

Nous tiendrions le drapeau (We would hold the flag)

Form the conditional tense of the verbs in parentheses

Q Je _________________ (ecirctre) ravi de vous voir

A Je serais ravi de vous voir (I would be delighted to see you)

21 _________________ (pouvoir)-vous mrsquoaider

22 Je _________________ (acheter) des vecirctements

23 Mathieu tu _________________ (devoir) ecirctre prudent

24 Nous _________________ (faire) la cuisine

Using the ConditionalThe conditional tense is very versatile mdash you use it on a daily basis The conditionaltense helps you avoid some faux pas and shows your good manners You use the con-ditional in order to be polite to make suggestions or to hypothesize In this section Ishow you how to use the conditional step by step I also provide problems for you topractice these concepts

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 195

Being polite expressing a wish and offering suggestionsFirst and foremost you use the conditional tense to make polite requests or sugges-tions The most common verbs that are used this way are vouloir (to want to) aimer(to like to love) pouvoir (to be able to) and devoir (to owe to have to) For exampleif yoursquore at a restaurant or a cafeacute and yoursquore ordering using the conditional is muchmore polite than the present tense

Je voudraisjrsquoaimerais un Orangina (I would like an Orangina)

Pourriez-vous me precircter votre stylo (Could you lend me your pen)

For offering suggestions use the verb devoir (to have to) in the conditional followedby the infinitive Devoir in the conditional means should in English

Tu devrais faire attention (You should pay attention)

Try being polite or making suggestions by using the present conditional tense Translatethe following sentences into French You can use either est-ce que or inversion (In theAnswer Key I use inversion whenever possible)

Q Could they accompany us

A Est-ce qursquoils pourraient nous accompagner Or Pourraient-ils nous accompagner

25 Would you like some coffee __________________________________

26 They should not smoke __________________________________

27 Could you help me __________________________________

28 She should stay in bed __________________________________

Wondering if The hypotheticalYou also use the conditional in the second hypothetical sentencersquos result clause whenyoursquore using the imperfect in the si (if) clause In other words

Si + imperfect yields the present conditional in the result clause

The following examples show how to use the conditional with a hypothetical sentence

Srsquoil pleuvait je porterais un impermeacuteable (If it were raining I would wear a raincoat)

Si nous avions du temps nous partirions ce weekend (If we hadwere to havetime we would leave or get away this weekend)

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You can switch the two clauses by starting your sentence with the result clause andfollowing it with the si clause What you canrsquot do is switch the verb tenses

Ils reacuteussiraient aux examens srsquoils eacutetudiaient (They would pass the exams if theystudiedwere to study)

Now itrsquos your turn to practice some hypothetical sentences I fill in the imperfecttense after the si clause and you fill in the conditional tense in the result clause

Q Srsquoil faisait beau nous _________________ (pouvoir) pique-niquer

A Srsquoil faisait beau nous pourrions pique-niquer (If it were nice out we would be able tohave a picnic)

29 Si tu nrsquoeacutetais pas en retard tu _________________ (ne pas manquer) le train

30 Vous _________________ (voir) lrsquoexposition si vous alliez au museacutee

31 Srsquoils pouvaient voyager ougrave _________________ (aller)-ils

32 Srsquoil neigeait les enfants _________________ (faire) un bonhomme de neige

33 Je _________________ (ecirctre) deacutecu si je ratais mon bac

Conditional with indirect discourseThe last way you can use the conditional tense is in an indirect discourse such aswhen the main verb is in the past tense and then you use the conditional to expressthe future In indirect discourse one person repeats or cites the words of anotherFor example Marc said that he would come to the opera Marc a dit qursquoil viendrait agravelrsquoopeacutera

Ils ont admis qursquoils ne sauraient pas quoi faire (They admitted that they wouldnot know what to do)

The following sentences are in indirect discourse Put the verb in parentheses in theconditional

Q Meacutelanie a dit qursquoelle _________________ (venir) sa maison

A Meacutelanie a dit qursquoelle vendrait sa maison (Melanie said that she would sell her house)

34 Olivier mrsquoa dit qursquoil _________________ (venir) me voir dimanche

35 Ils ont affirmeacute qursquoils _________________ (pouvoir) reacuteparer la voiture

36 Ceacuteline a expliqueacute qursquoelle _________________ (suivre) des cours de finance

37 Les enfants avaient annonceacute qursquoils _________________ (jouer) dans le parc

38 Seacutebastien a declareacute qursquoil _________________ (partir) bientocirct

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Answer KeyIn this section you can find the answers to the exercises in this chapter Compareyour answers to the correct ones

a Vous voyageriez (You would travel)

b Sarah eacutecrirait des poegravemes (Sarah would write poems)

c Nous rendrions les videacuteos (We would give back the videos)

d M et Mme Nadal choisiraient du champagne (Mr and Mrs Nadal would choose champagne)

e Tu trsquoinscrirais agrave lrsquouniversiteacute (You would register at the university)

f Julien obeacuteirait au conseiller (Julien would obey the counselor)

g Je poserais des questions (I would ask questions)

h Mlle Cottin aimeriez-vous du cafeacute (Miss Cottin would you like some coffee)

i Ameacutelie preacutefeacutererait la vanille au chocolat (Ameacutelie would prefer vanilla to chocolate)

j Mes amis et moi sortirions ce soir (My friends and I would go out this evening)

k Nous achegraveterions des disques compacts (We would buy CDs)

l Tu nettoierais ton appartement (You would clean your apartment)

m Les eacutetudiants reacutepeacuteteraient le dialogue (The students would repeat the dialog)

n Vous eacutepelleriez des mots difficiles (You would spell difficult words)

o Les enfants jetteraient des cailloux (The children would throw pebbles)

p Nous espeacutererions rester (We would hope to stay)

q Elle emploierait lrsquoordinateur (She would use the computer)

r Vous amegraveneriez vos parents (You would bring your parents)

s Marc achegraveterait des baguettes (Marc would buy some baguettes)

t Je megravenerais la discussion (I would lead the discussion)

u Pourriez-vous mrsquoaider (Would you be able to help me)

v Jrsquoachegraveterais des vecirctements (I would buy clothes)

w Mathieu tu devrais ecirctre prudent (Mathieu you should be careful)

x Nous ferions la cuisine (We would cook)

y Voudriez-vous du cafeacute Or Voudrais-tu du cafeacute

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 198

A Ils ne devraient pas fumer

B Pourriez-vous mrsquoaider Or Pourrais-tu mrsquoaider

C Elle devrait rester au lit

D Si tu nrsquoeacutetais pas en retard tu ne manquerais pas le train (If you were not late you would notmiss the train)

E Vous verriez lrsquoexposition si vous alliez au museacutee (You would see the exhibit if you were to goto the museum)

F Srsquoils pouvaient voyager ougrave iraient-ils (If they couldwere able to travel where would they go)

G Srsquoil neigeait les enfants feraient un bonhomme de neige (If it were snowing the children wouldmake a snowman)

H Je serais deacuteccedilu si je ratais mon bac (I would be disappointed if I were to fail my bac [baccalaureate])

I Olivier mrsquoa dit qursquoil viendrait me voir dimanche (Olivier told me that he would come see meon Sunday)

J Ils ont affirmeacute qursquoils pourraient reacuteparer la voiture (They affirmed that they would be able torepair the car)

K Ceacuteline a expliqueacute qursquoelle suivrait des cours de finance (Ceacuteline explained that she would takecourses in finance)

L Les enfants avaient annonceacute qursquoils joueraient dans le parc (The children had announced thatthey would play in the park)

M Seacutebastien a declareacute qursquoil partirait bientocirct (Seacutebastien declared that he would leave soon)

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24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 200

Chapter 18

Trying the Past Conditional Tense Could Have and Would Have

In This Chapter Forming the past conditional tense

Using the past conditional

You use the past conditional tense in all those situations when you could just kick your-self because you should have said this or should have done that For example you may

say I should have locked the door when a thief takes your car stereo or I should not havelocked the door when you lock your keys inside your car You may tell your friend you shouldhave gone out with him or you may say she shouldnrsquot have said that if yoursquore trying to makesomeone feel better In all those instances yoursquore using the past conditional tense

The past conditional often expresses a missed opportunity in the past an uncertainty or aregret For example Elle aurait voulu voyager mais elle nrsquoavait pas assez drsquoargent means Shewould have liked to travel but she didnrsquot have enough money In English the past conditional istranslated as would have done something Furthermore in English itrsquos used to express whatwould have or would not have occurred if something had happened or had not happened

In this chapter I show you how to form the past conditional tense and then how to use it Ioffer plenty of exercises so that you can practice these concepts

Creating the Past ConditionalYou form the past conditional by putting the auxiliaries avoir (to have) and ecirctre (to be) inthe conditional tense and adding the past participle of the verbs Check out the followingtables that conjugate the auxiliaries in the conditional form

avoir (to have)

jrsquoaurais nous aurions

tu aurais vous auriez

ilelleon aurait ilselles auraient

ecirctre (to be)

je serais nous serions

tu serais vous seriez

ilelleon serait ilselles seraient

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The verbs eacutetudier (to study) and partir (to leave) serve as examples of the two types ofauxiliaries avoir and ecirctre Eacutetudier takes the auxiliary avoir and partir takes ecirctre Thepast participle of verbs taking ecirctre as their auxiliary agrees with the subject Thereforeif the subject is feminine singular add an e if itrsquos masculine plural add an s and if itrsquosfeminine plural add an es If you arenrsquot sure about the past participle of verbs look atChapter 12

jrsquoaurais eacutetudieacute nous aurions eacutetudieacute

tu aurais eacutetudieacute vous auriez eacutetudieacute

ilelleon aurait eacutetudieacute ilselles auraient eacutetudieacute

Elle aurait eacutetudieacute (She would have studied)

partir (to leave)

je serais parti(e) nous serions partis(es)

tu serais parti(e) vous seriez parti(e)(s)(es)

ilelleon serait parti(e) ilselles seraient partis(es)

Nous serions partis (We would have left)

Nous aurions voulu vous aider (We would have liked to help you)

Ils seraient arriveacutes (They would have arrived)

For pronominal verbs place the pronominal pronoun in front of the auxiliary ecirctrewhich is followed by the past participle of the verb Remember that all pronominalverbs are conjugated with the auxiliary ecirctre which is conjugated in the conditional

se lever (to get up)

je me serais leveacute(e) nous nous serions leveacutes(es)

tu te serais leveacute(e) vous vous seriez leveacute(e)(s)(es)

ilelleon se serait leveacute(e) ilselles se seraient leveacutes(es)

Vous vous seriez leveacutes (You would have gotten up)

To make the past conditional negative place ne in front of the auxiliary and pas afterthe auxiliary For pronominal verbs place ne in front of the pronominal pronounand the pas after the auxiliary

Je nrsquoaurais pas fini (I would not have finished)

Benjamin ne se serait pas reacuteveilleacute (Benjamin would not have woken up)

To ask a question using inversion with past tenses you simply invert the subject andthe auxiliary

Serions-nous arriveacutes agrave lrsquoheure (Would we have arrived on time)

Te serais-tu amuseacute (Would you have had fun)

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Now itrsquos your turn Put the verbs in parentheses in the past conditional

Q Corinne _________________ (devoir) teacuteleacutephoner

A Corinne aurait ducirc teacuteleacutephoner (Corinne should have called)

1 Antoine _________________ (payer) par chegraveque

2 Vous _________________ (preacutefeacuterer) partir tocirct

3 Meacutelanie et Alexandre _________________ (se souvenir) de leur jeunesse

4 Tu _________________ (rester) toute la journeacutee

5 Sarah _________________ (pouvoir) te preacutesenter agrave ses amis

6 Je _________________ (apprendre) le russe

7 Eacutetienne _________________ (recevoir) la meacutedaille

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

9 Les parents de Sophie _________________ (ecirctre) deacuteccedilus

10 Aurore _________________ (aimer) les rencontrer au cafeacute

Correctly Using the Past ConditionalThe past conditional expresses a missed opportunity or a regret You can use the pastconditional in a simple sentence or in a more complex sentence with two or moreclauses For example you can say Jrsquoaurais ducirc eacutetudier plus (I should have studiedmore) or you can say Si jrsquoavais eu temps jrsquoaurais eacutetudieacute plus (If I had had the timeI would have studied more)

Before you correctly use the past conditional in a complex sentence you need tounderstand how you use it in a hypothetical sentence A hypothetical sentenceexpresses a supposition a condition or a possibility introduced by the conjunction ifor si A hypothetical sentence has two clauses mdash a subordinate clause introduced bysi and a result clause or a main clause The tenses of these clauses vary depending onwhich hypothetical sentence you use Herersquos what you need to know about the threehypothetical sentences

In the first hypothetical sentence you use the present after si and you can usethe present the immediate future the simple future or even the imperative formin the result clause Use the tense that makes the most sense for what you wantto say

In the second hypothetical sentence you use the imperfect after si and you usethe present conditional in the result clause (See Chapter 17)

In the third hypothetical sentence you use the pluperfect after si and you use the past conditional in the result clause This sentence is the most common use ofthe past conditional If the si clause uses the pluperfect (see Chapter 12 for moreon forming the pluperfect) then you use the past conditional in the result clause

203Chapter 18 Trying the Past Conditional Tense Could Have and Would Have

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Table 18-1 puts the hypothetical sentences all together

Table 18-1 Hypothetical SentencesTense in the If or Subordinate Tense in the Result or MainSi Clause Clause Result Clause Clause

Present Srsquoil pleut Present je porte unIf it rains impermeacuteable

I wear a raincoat

Present Srsquoil pleut Simple future je porterai unIf it rains impermeacuteable

I will wear a raincoat

Present Srsquoil pleut Immediate future je vais porter unIf it rains impermeacuteable

I am going to wear a raincoat

Present Srsquoil pleut Imperative porte tonIf it rains impermeacuteable

wear your raincoat

Imperfect Srsquoil pleuvait Present conditional je porterais unIf it were to rain impermeacuteable

I would wear my raincoat

Pluperfect Srsquoil avait plu Past conditional Jrsquoaurais porteacute unIf it had rained impermeacuteable

I would have worn my raincoat

You may begin a sentence with the result clause followed by the subordinate or siclause However you canrsquot switch the tenses which means that the present (exceptfor the first example sentence in which both clauses can be in the present tense) theimperfect and the pluperfect are always placed in the si clause and the future condi-tional and past conditional are always placed in the result clause

Si tu avais fini tes devoirs tu serais alleacute jouer (If you had finished your home-work you would have gone to play)

As with the other two hypothetical sentences you may begin your sentence with theresult clause followed by the si clause However you canrsquot switch the tenses In otherwords you always put the pluperfect in the si clause and the past conditional in theresult clause

Nous serions arriveacutes plus tocirct srsquoil nrsquoy avait pas eu drsquoembouteillages (We wouldhave arrived earlier if there hadnrsquot been any traffic jams)

Fill in these hypothetical sentences Remember to place the past conditional in theresult clause

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Q Srsquoil nrsquoavait pas plu nous _________________ (aller) agrave la plage

A Srsquoil nrsquoavait pas plu nous serions alleacutes agrave la plage (If it hadnrsquot rained we would have goneto the beach)

11 Si tu avais regardeacute la carte tu _________________ (suivre) la bonne route

12 Srsquoil nrsquoavait pas fait de vent je _________________ (rester) agrave la plage

13 Ils _________________ (ne pas aller) en classe srsquoils avaient su que le professeur eacutetait absent

14 Je _________________ (se deacutepecirccher) si jrsquoavais eacuteteacute en retard

15 Si Anne nrsquoavait pas eacutetudieacute elle _________________ (ne pas reacuteussir) agrave lrsquoexamen

16 Est-ce que vous _________________ (ecirctre) moins fatigueacute si vous aviez travailleacute plus pregraves de chez vous

17 Nous _________________ (venir) si tu nous avais dit

18 Si Seacutebastien srsquoeacutetait inscrit agrave ce cours il _________________ (recevoir) trois uniteacutes de valeur

19 Si tu trsquoeacutetais leveacute tocirct tu _________________ (eacuteviter) la circulation

20 Les enfants _________________ (jouer) dehors srsquoil nrsquoavait pas fait si froid

I want to provide you with some more practice problems so that you have a firmgrasp on the three hypothetical sentences In the following exercise match the let-tered logical result clause with the numbered si clause by putting the correct letterin each blank

Q Si vous nrsquoeacutetiez pas venu

A g Si vous nrsquoeacutetiez pas venu vous auriez manqueacute une bonne soireacutee (If you hadnrsquot comeyou would have missed a good party)

21 _____ Si tu avais pris des leccedilons de musique a je me promegravenerais

22 _____ Si on veut b nous aurions rencontreacute tes parents

23 _____ Si Audrey avait de la chance c ils seraient arriveacutes dans une demi heure

24 _____ Srsquoil faisait beau d tu ne glisserais pas

25 _____ Si jrsquoai le temps e tu aurais joueacute beaucoup mieux

26 _____ Si nous eacutetions venus f elle trouverait un appartement pas trop cher

27 _____ Srsquoils avaient pris le meacutetro g vous auriez manqueacute une bonnesoireacutee

28 _____ Si tu marchais prudemment h on peut

29 _____ Si Caroline vient avec nous i elle srsquoassieacutera agrave cocircteacute de toi

30 _____ Si vous eacutetiez resteacute chez vous j je viendrai avec vous

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 205

What More practice Yes I want to make sure that you understand this conceptIn the following sentences all three hypothetical sentences are included In each sentence one of the verbs is filled in for you Itrsquos up to you to fill in the second verbRefer to Table 18-1 and conjugate the verbs in parentheses in the required tense

Q Jrsquoaurais fini mes devoirs si je _________________ (commencer) plus tocirct

A Jrsquoaurais fini mes devoirs si jrsquoavais commenceacute plus tocirct (I would have finished my home-work if I had begun earlier)

31 Si Eric lisait le journal il _________________ (savoir) ce qui se passait dans le monde

32 Nous _________________ (pouvoir) voyager si nous prenons notre retraite

33 Si mes parents avaient habiteacute plus pregraves je les _________________ (voir) plus souvent

34 Srsquoil faisait du vent vous _________________ (ne pas aller) agrave la plage

35 Si vous aviez eacuteteacute fatigueacutes vous _________________ (devoir) vous reposer

36 Si tu eacutetais malade tu _________________ (prendre) des meacutedicaments

37 Les enfants _________________ (ecirctre) heureux srsquoils gagnaient le match

38 Srsquoil avait eu des œufs il _________________ (faire) une omelette

39 Audrey _________________ (travailler) si elle finit ses eacutetudes

40 Si je gagnais agrave la loterie je _________________ (faire) le tour du monde

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Answer KeyThis section provides the correct answers for all the problems in this chapter Pleasereview and compare them to your answers

a Antoine aurait payeacute par chegraveque (Antoine would have paid by check)

b Vous auriez preacutefeacutereacute partir tocirct (You would have preferred to leave early)

c Meacutelanie et Alexandre se seraient souvenus de leur jeunesse (Meacutelanie and Alexandre wouldhave remembered their youth)

d Tu serais resteacute toute la journeacutee (You would have stayed the whole day)

e Sarah aurait pu te preacutesenter agrave ses amis (Sarah could have introduced you to her friends)

f Jrsquoaurais appris le russe (I would have learned Russian)

g Eacutetienne aurait reccedilu la meacutedaille (Eacutetienne would have won the medal)

h Nous nous serions vus (We would have seen each other)

i Les parents de Sophie auraient eacuteteacute deacuteccedilus (Sophiersquos parents would have been disappointed)

j Aurore aurait aimeacute les rencontrer au cafeacute (Aurore would have liked to meet them at the cafeacute)

k Si tu avais regardeacute la carte tu aurais suivi la bonne route (If you had looked at the map youwould have followed the right route)

l Srsquoil nrsquoavait pas fait de vent je serais resteacute agrave la plage (If it had not been windy I would havestayed at the beach)

m Ils ne seraient pas alleacutes en classe srsquoils avaient su que le professeur eacutetait absent (They wouldnot have gone to class if they had known that the professor was absent)

n Je me serais deacutepecirccheacute si jrsquoavais eacuteteacute en retard (I would have hurried if I had been late)

o Si Anne nrsquoavait pas eacutetudieacute elle nrsquoaurait pas reacuteussi agrave lrsquoexamen (If Anne had not studied shewould not have passed the exam)

p Est-ce que vous auriez eacuteteacute moins fatigueacute si vous aviez travailleacute plus pregraves de chez vous(Would you have been less tired if you had worked closer to home)

q Nous serions venus si tu nous avais dit (We would have come if you had told us)

r Si Seacutebastien srsquoeacutetait inscrit agrave ce cours il aurait reccedilu trois uniteacutes de valeur (If Seacutebastien had registered for this course he would have received three credits)

s Si tu trsquoeacutetais leveacute tocirct tu aurais eacuteviteacute la circulation (If you had gotten up early you would haveavoided the traffic)

t Les enfants auraient joueacute dehors srsquoil nrsquoavait pas fait si froid (The children would have playedoutside if it hadnrsquot been so cold)

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 207

u e Si tu avais pris des leccedilons de musique tu aurais joueacute beaucoup mieux (If you had takenmusic lessons you would have played much better)

v h Si on veut on peut (If one wants one can)

w f Si Audrey avait de la chance elle trouverait un appartement pas trop cher (If Audrey werelucky she would find an apartment thatrsquos not too expensive)

x a Srsquoil faisait beau je me promegravenerais (If it were nice out I would take a walk)

y j Si jrsquoai le temps je viendrai avec vous (If I have time I will come with you)

A b Si nous eacutetions venus nous aurions rencontreacute tes parents (If we had come we would havemet your parents)

B c Srsquoils avaient pris le meacutetro ils seraient arriveacutes dans une demi heure (If they had taken thesubway they would have arrived in a half an hour)

C d Si tu marchais prudemment tu ne glisserais pas (If you were to walk carefully you wouldnot slip)

D i Si Caroline vient avec nous elle srsquoassieacutera agrave cocircteacute de toi (If Caroline comes with us she will sitnext to you)

E g Si vous eacutetiez resteacute chez vous vous auriez manqueacute une bonne soireacutee (If you had stayed homeyou would have missed a good party)

F Si Eric lisait le journal il saurait ce qui se passait dans le monde (If Eric were to read the news-paper he would know what was happening in the world)

G Nous pourrons voyager si nous prenons notre retraite (We will be able to travel if we take ourretirement)

H Si mes parents avaient habiteacute plus pregraves je les aurais vus plus souvent (If my parents had livedcloser I would have seen them more often)

I Srsquoil faisait du vent vous nrsquoiriez pas agrave la plage (If it were windy you would not go to the beach)

J Si vous aviez eacuteteacute fatigueacutes vous auriez ducirc vous reposer (If you had been tired you should haverested)

K Si tu eacutetais malade tu prendrais des meacutedicaments (If you were ill you would take some medication)

L Les enfants seraient heureux srsquoils gagnaient le match (The children would be happy if theywere to win the game)

M Srsquoil avait eu des œufs il aurait fait une omelette (If he had had eggs he would have made anomelette)

N Audrey travaillera si elle finit ses eacutetudes (Audrey will work if she finishes her studies)

O Si je gagnais la loterie je ferais le tour du monde (If I were to win the lottery I would travel allover the world)

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Part VConsidering Your Mood

Subjunctive or Not

26_773883 pt05qxp 72806 850 PM Page 209

In this part

The mood of a verb indicates the writer or speakerrsquospoint of view regarding the events The indicative mdash

including the present past and future mdash expresses factsas well as objective observations It expresses what is happening has happened or will happen Meanwhile thesubjunctive mood expresses what you want to happencommand to happen or doubt will happen Chapter 19looks at conjugating the present subjunctive Chapter 20focuses on using the present subjunctive and Chapter 21shows you how to conjugate and use the past subjunctive

26_773883 pt05qxp 72806 850 PM Page 210

Chapter 19

Creating the Present SubjunctiveIn This Chapter Working with regular verbs

Forming the subjunctive with ldquoirregularrdquo verbs

Taking a stab with stem changers

Trying out true irregular verbs

Unlike the indicative mood which expresses an objective reality the subjunctive moodexpresses the speakerrsquos or writerrsquos subjective points of view emotions fears and

doubts To use the subjunctive you place it in the subordinate clause introduced by que(that) when a verb or verbal expression in the main clause expresses emotion will wishcommand doubt or subjectivity When the verb in the main clause expresses a fact or anobjective observation then you use the indicative instead of the subjunctive

This chapter looks at how you conjugate good olrsquo regular verbs verbs that are irregular inother tenses but regular in the subjunctive stem-changing verbs and true irregular verbsAfter you know how to form the present subjunctive you can check out Chapter 20 whichshows you how to use the present subjunctive Because French doesnrsquot have a future sub-junctive the present subjunctive expresses the future as well as the present and can betranslated in English in the tense that makes the most sense

Forming the Present Subjunctive with Regular Verbs

The subjunctive isnrsquot a difficult tense to form All you need is to be familiar with the presentindicative conjugation of the verbs be they regular verbs spelling-change verbs or evensome irregular verbs (Check out Chapters 2 3 and 4 for the present indicative of verbs)In this section I start off with forming the present subjunctive of regular verbs

You form the present subjunctive the same way whether the verb is regular or not andwhether it has a stem change or not To form the present subjunctive start from the thirdperson plural of the indicative the ilselles form drop the -ent to form the stem and addthe following endings -e -es -e -ions -iez or -ent

Present Subjunctive Verb Endings

je -e nous -ions

tu -es vous -iez

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 211

The verbs parler (to speak) finir (to finish) and vendre (to sell) serve as examples ofthe three categories of regular verbs You create the stem for each with the ilsellesform of the indicative like so

Parler (to speak) becomes ilselles parlent in the third person plural indicativeDelete the -ent from this form to create the stem and you get parl-

Finir (to finish) becomes ilselles finissent in the third person plural indicativeDelete the -ent from this form to create the stem and you get finiss-

Vendre (to sell) becomes ilselles vendent in the third person plural indicativeDelete the -ent from this form to create the stem and you get vend-

parler (to speak)

que je parle que nous parlions

que tu parles que vous parliez

qursquoilelleon parle qursquoilselles parlent

Il est essentiel que nous parlions au directeur (It is essential that we speak to the director)

finir (to finish)

que je finisse que nous finissions

que tu finisses que vous finissiez

qursquoilelleon finisse quirsquoilselles finissent

Il est possible que je finisse agrave 5 heures (Itrsquos possible that I will finish at 5 orsquoclock)

vendre (to sell)

que je vende que nous vendions

que tu vendes que vous vendiez

qursquoilelleon vende qursquoilselles vendent

Mes parents veulent que je vende ma voiture (My parents want me to sell my car)

Il doute que je nous arrivions avant midi (He doubts that we will arrive beforenoon)

Nous sommes surpris que tu vendes ta maison (We are surprised that you are sellingyour house)

As strange as it looks and sounds you do add the extra -i to regular verbs whosenous form already ends in -ions and vous form already ends in -iez in the presentindicative These verbs include eacutetudier (to study) rire (to laugh) and sourire (tosmile) I conjugate eacutetudier in the following table The stem (from ils eacutetudient thethird person plural indicative) is eacutetudi-

212 Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or Not

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 212

que jrsquoeacutetudie que nous eacutetudiions

que tu eacutetudies que vous eacutetudiiez

qursquoilelleon eacutetudie qursquoilselles eacutetudient

Il est important que nous eacutetudiions (It is important that we study)

Now take time to conjugate the following regular verbs into the present subjunctive

Q Il faut que nous _________________ (regarder) les nouvelles

A Il faut que nous regardions les nouvelles (It is necessary that we watch the news)

1 Mon professeur exige que je _________________ (choisir) un sujet de thegravese

2 Je suis ravi que tu _________________ (aimer) mon cadeau

3 Nous sommes heureux qursquoils _________________ (reacuteussir) agrave lrsquoeacutecole

4 Il est regrettable que nous _________________ (ne pas habiter) plus pregraves de la ville

5 Il faut qursquoelle _________________ (rendre) les CD

6 Ils sont surpris que je _________________ (chanter) bien

7 Il est eacutetonnant que les enfants _________________ (grandir) si vite

8 Tu ne crois pas que le train _________________ (arriver) agrave lrsquoheure

9 Maman veut que nous _________________ (obeacuteir) agrave nos grands-parents

10 Il est dommage que tu _________________ (perdre) patience

Typically Irregular but Regular in the Subjunctive

Most irregular verbs follow the same pattern in the subjunctive as the regular verbsYou simply take their third person plural form (ilselles) and add the same endings -e -es -e -ions -iez and -ent

Check out Table 19-1 as an example of several irregular verbs that follow the regularconjugation in the present subjunctive

213Chapter 19 Creating the Present Subjunctive

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 213

Table 19-1 Typically Irregular Verbs but Regular in the Subjunctive

Infinitive Ils Form in the Present Indicative Subjunctive Stem

conduire (to drive) ils conduisent conduis-

connaicirctre (to know) ils connaissent connaiss-

craindre (to fear) ils craignent craign-

dire (to say) ils disent dis-

dormir (to sleep) ils dorment dorm-

eacutecrire (to write) ils eacutecrivent eacutecriv-

lire (to read) ils lisent lis-

mettre (to put to place) ils mettent mett

offrir (to offer) ils offrent offr-

partir (to leave) ils partent part-

servir (to serve) ils servent serv-

sortir (to go out) ils sortent sort-

suivre (to follow to ils suivent suiv-take a course)

vivre (to live) ils vivent viv-

Il est important que les enfants lisent tous les jours (It is important that childrenread every day)

Conjugate the following verbs in parentheses in the present subjunctive

Q Je doute qursquoelle _________________ (dire) des mensonges

A Je doute qursquoelle dise des mensonges (I doubt that shersquos telling lies)

11 Mes parents sont inquiets que je _________________ (craindre) les ascenseurs

12 Eric est facirccheacute que ses amis _________________ (partir) en vacances sans lui

13 Il est important que nous _________________ (vivre) en paix

14 Je veux que tu _________________ (mettre) ta ceinture de seacutecuriteacute

15 Il est neacutecessaire que tous les eacutetudiants _________________ (suivre) cinq cours par semestre

16 Il est essentiel que nous _________________ (dormir) bien

17 Croyez-vous que ce journaliste _________________ (eacutecrire) bien

18 Il est douteux qursquoils _________________ (servir) du vin

19 Je suis surpris que vous _________________ (connaicirctre) mon oncle

20 Papa nrsquoaime pas que nous _________________ (sortir) si tard

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 214

Looking At Stem ChangersCertain verbs in French have one stem for all the singular and third person plural sub-jects and another stem for the nous and vous forms These verbs are often referred toas boot verbs because when you draw around the subject pronouns the singular andthird person plural form the shape of a boot whereas the nous and vous forms areleft outside of the boot Remember that these verbs have the same stem changes inthe present indicative as well as the present subjunctive

Certain verbs have two different stems one for the singular (je tu ilelleon) andthird person plural (ilselles) and another for the nous and vous forms The stem ofthe subjunctive form of these verbs is also derived from the third person plural ilselles and the endings are the same as the regular verbs in the subjunctive (seeldquoForming the Present Subjunctive with Regular Verbsrdquo earlier in this chapter) Theway to remember these verbs is to refer to their present indicative where they alsohave this type of stem difference

Check out the following examples that conjugate boire (to drink) in both the presentindicative and the present subjunctive so that you can compare them

boire (to drink) in the present indicative

je bois nous buvons

tu bois vous buvez

Nous buvons beaucoup de lait (We drink a lot of milk)

boire (to drink) in the present subjunctive

que je boive que nous buvions

que tu boives que vous buviez

qursquoilelleon boive qursquoilselles boivent

Il est bon que nous buvions beaucoup de lait (It is good that we drink a lot of milk)

The following verbs also have two stems just like boire Prendre (to take) (and all itscompounds) forms its stem from the present indicative of the ils form ils prennentDelete the -ent and use prenn- as the stem for the je tu ilelleon and ilselles formsUse pren- for nous and vous

prendre (to take)

que je prenne que nous prenions

que tu prennes que vous preniez

qursquoilelleon prenne qursquoilselles prennent

Il est neacutecessaire que tu prennes ton passeport (It is necessary that you take your passport)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 215

You conjugate the following verbs just like prendre apprendre (to learn) compren-dre (to understand) entreprendre (to undertake) reprendre (to retake to resume)and surprendre (to surprise)

Another verb that has a stem change in the present subjunctive is venir (to come)I conjugate it in the following example using the stem vienn- from ils viennent thepresent indicative for the je tu ilelleon and ilselles forms Use ven- for nous andvous

venir (to come)

que je vienne que nous venions

que tu viennes que vous veniez

qursquoilelleon vienne qursquoilselles viennent

Nous sommes heureux que vous veniez (We are happy that yoursquore coming)

All compounds of venir are conjugated the same way These include devenir (tobecome) intervenir (to intervene) parvenir (to reach to succeed) revenir (to return)and se souvenir (to remember) Also you conjugate similar verbs like tenir (to hold)and its compounds the same way These include appartenir (to belong) contenir (tocontain) maintenir (to maintain) obtenir (to obtain) retenir (to retain) and soutenir(to support)

Recevoir (to receive) is another verb that has a stem change in the present subjunctiveIts stems include reccediloiv- for the je tu ilelleon and ilselles forms and recev- fornous and vous

que je reccediloive que nous recevions

que tu reccediloives que vous receviez

qursquoilelleon reccediloive qursquoilselles reccediloivent

Il est possible qursquoils reccediloivent la coupe (It is possible that they receive the cup)

Verbs that are conjugated like recevoir include apercevoir (to see to notice) concevoir(to conceive) deacutecevoir (to disappoint) and percevoir (to perceive to comprehend)

Another verb that has a stem change in the present subjunctive is croire (to believe)Check out the following example that conjugates it Remember that the stem for jetu ilelleon and ilselles forms is croi- and for the nous and vous forms croy-

croire (to believe)

que je croie que nous croyions

que tu croies que vous croyiez

qursquoilelleon croie qursquoilselles croient

Je doute qursquoelle croie tout ce qursquoil dit (I doubt that she believes all he says)

Voir (to see) is conjugated like croire

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 216

Another verb that has a stem change in the present subjunctive is devoir (to owe tohave to) Check out the following example to conjugate it Stems of this verb are doiv-for the je tu ilelleon and ilselles forms and dev- for nous and vous

devoir (ought to must to owe)

que je doive que nous devions

que tu doives que vous deviez

qursquoilelleon doive qursquoilselles doivent

Je ne crois pas que tu doives payer maintenant (I donrsquot believe that you have to pay now)

All verbs ending in -yer are two-stem verbs as well Like all the verbs that Irsquove men-tioned in this section thus far the subjunctive tense is derived from the ils form of thepresent indicative However with the two-stem verbs the nous and vous forms havea different stem The verb essayer (to try) serves as an example The stems for thisverb are as follows essai- for the je tu ilelleon and ilselles forms and essay- fornous and vous

essayer (to try)

que jrsquoessaie que nous essayions

que tu essaies que vous essayiez

qursquoilelleon essaie qursquoilselles essaient

Je veux que tu essaies de venir (I want you to try to come)

Try conjugating some of these verbs Follow the example and put the infinitives in thethird person plural indicative (ilselles) and then in the subjunctive of the indicatedsubject pronouns

Q Infinitive vivre

Present indicative ils _________________

Present subjunctive que tu _________________ que vous _________________

A ils vivent que tu vives que vous viviez

21 Infinitive apercevoir

Present subjunctive que je _________________ qursquoils _________________

22 Infinitive nettoyer

Present subjunctive qursquoil _________________ que nous _________________

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 217

23 Infinitive venir

Present subjunctive que tu _________________ qursquoelle _________________

24 Infinitive prendre

Present subjunctive qursquoil _________________ que vous _________________

25 Infinitive se souvenir

Present subjunctive que je _________________ que nous _________________

26 Infinitive essayer

Present subjunctive que tu _________________ que nous _________________

27 Infinitive boire

Present subjunctive qursquoelle _________________ que vous _________________

28 Infinitive voir

Present subjunctive que je _________________ qursquoelles _________________

29 Infinitive apprendre

30 Infinitive devoir

Present subjunctive que je _________________ que vous _________________

Eyeing the IrregularsSome verbs are completely irregular in the present subjunctive The stem of the subjunc-tive isnrsquot derived from the third person plural (ilselles) the way the rest of the verbsrsquostems are However even these irregular verbs have the same endings in the subjunc-tive as the regular verbs -e -es -e -ions -iez and -ent Check out the following verbs

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 218

aller (to go)

que jrsquoaille que nous allions

que tu ailles que vous alliez

qursquoilelleon aille qursquoilselles aillent

Il faut que jrsquoaille au magasin (I have to go to the store)

que je fasse que nous fassions

que tu fasses que vous fassiez

qursquoilelleon fasse qursquoilselles fassent

Je preacutefegravere que tu fasses la vaisselle (I prefer that you do the dishes)

que je puisse que nous puissions

que tu puisses que vous puissiez

qursquoilelleon puisse qursquoilselles puissent

Nous sommes contents qursquoils puissent venir (We are happy that they can come)

savoir (to know)

que je sache que nous sachions

que tu saches que vous sachiez

qursquoilelleon sache qursquoilselles sachent

Il est important que tu saches conduire (Itrsquos important that you know how to drive)

vouloir (to want)

que je veuille que nous voulions

que tu veuilles que vous vouliez

qursquoilelleon veuille qursquoilselles veuillent

Crsquoest impressionnant qursquoelle veuille piloter un avion (It is impressive that she wants to pilot a plane)

French has only two irregular verbs that donrsquot have the same endings in the subjunc-tive as all other verbs Can you guess which ones Yes yoursquore right if you guessedavoir (to have) and ecirctre (to be)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 219

avoir (to have)

que jrsquoaie que nous ayons

que tu aies que vous ayez

qursquoilelleon ait qursquoilselles aient

Il est neacutecessaire que nous ayons de la patience (It is necessary that we have patience)

ecirctre (to be)

que je sois que nous soyons

que tu sois que vous soyez

qursquoilelleon soit qursquoilselles soient

Les parents veulent que leurs enfants soient sages (The parents want their children to behave)

The following two verbs exist only in the third person singular the il form pleuvoir(to rain) and falloir (to be necessary)

qursquoil pleuve (that it rainswill rain)

qursquoil faille (that it iswill be necessary)

Follow the example and put the infinitives of the irregular verbs in parentheses in thesubjunctive of the indicated subject pronoun

Q Faire que tu _________________ qursquoils _________________

A que tu fasses qursquoils fassent

31 Pouvoir que je _________________ que nous _________________

32 Ecirctre qursquoelle _________________ que vous _________________

33 Vouloir que tu _________________ qursquoelles _________________

34 Savoir qursquoon _________________ que nous _________________

35 Avoir que jrsquo_________________ que vous _________________

36 Faire qursquoil _________________ que nous _________________

37 Pouvoir que tu _________________ qursquoils _________________

38 Ecirctre que je _________________ qursquoelles _________________

39 Vouloir que je _________________ que nous _________________

40 Faire que tu _________________ qursquoelles _________________

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 220

Answer KeyThis section contains the answers to the exercises that you encounter in this chapterReview your answers and compare them to the correct ones Keep in mind that thepresent subjunctive can also express the future as well as the present because thereis no future subjunctive

a Mon professeur exige que je choisisse un sujet de thegravese (My professor requires that I choose athesis topic)

b Je suis ravi que tu aimes mon cadeau (I am delighted that you like my gift)

c Nous sommes heureux qursquoils reacuteussissent agrave lrsquoeacutecole (We are happy that they succeedare succeeding in school)

d Il est regrettable que nous nrsquohabitions pas plus pregraves de la ville (It is regrettable that we donrsquotlive closer to the city)

e Il faut qursquoelle rende les CD (It is necessary that she give back the CDs)

f Ils sont surpris que je chante bien (They are surprised that I sing well)

g Il est eacutetonnant que les enfants grandissent si vite (It is surprising that the children grow upso fast)

h Tu ne crois pas que le train arrive agrave lrsquoheure (You donrsquot believe that the train is arriving on time)

i Maman veut que nous obeacuteissions agrave nos grands-parents (Mom wants us to obey ourgrandparents)

j Il est dommage que tu perdes patience (It is too bad that you loseare losing patience)

k Mes parents sont inquiets que je craigne les ascenseurs (My parents are worried that I fear elevators)

l Eric est facirccheacute que ses amis partent en vacances sans lui (Eric is angry that his friends are leav-ing for vacation without him)

m Il est important que nous vivions en paix (It is important that we live in peace)

n Je veux que tu mettes ta ceinture de seacutecuriteacute (I want you to put on your seat belt)

o Il est neacutecessaire que tous les eacutetudiants suivent cinq cours par semestre (It is necessary thatall the students take five courses a semester)

p Il est essentiel que nous dormions bien (It is essential that we sleep well)

q Croyez-vous que ce journaliste eacutecrive bien (Do you believe that this journalist writes well)

r Il est douteux qursquoils servent du vin (It is doubtful that they servewill serve wine)

s Je suis surpris que vous connaissiez mon oncle (I am surprised that you know my uncle)

t Papa nrsquoaime pas que nous sortions si tard (Dad doesnrsquot like that we go out so late)

u Present indicative ils aperccediloivent

Present subjunctive que jrsquoaperccediloive qursquoils aperccediloivent

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 221

v Present indicative ils nettoient

Present subjunctive qursquoil nettoie que nous nettoyions

w Present indicative ils viennent

Present subjunctive que tu viennes qursquoelle vienne

x Present indicative ils prennent

Present subjunctive qursquoil prenne que vous preniez

y Present indicative ils se souviennent

Present subjunctive que je me souvienne que nous nous souvenions

A Present indicative ils essaient

Present subjunctive que tu essaies que nous essayions

B Present indicative ils boivent

Present subjunctive qursquoelle boive que vous buviez

C Present indicative ils voient

Present subjunctive que je voie qursquoelles voient

D Present indicative ils apprennent

Present subjunctive qursquoil apprenne que nous apprenions

E Present indicative ils doivent

Present subjunctive que je doive que vous deviez

F que je puisse que nous puissions

G qursquoelle soit que vous soyez

H que tu veuilles qursquoelles veuillent

I qursquoon sache que nous sachions

J que jrsquoaie que vous ayez

K qursquoil fasse que nous fassions

L que tu puisses qursquoils puissent

M que je sois qursquoelles soient

N que je veuille que nous voulions

O que tu fasses qursquoelles fassent

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 222

Chapter 20

Knowing How to Use the Present Subjunctive

In This Chapter Expressing wishes and preferences

Showing emotion or judgment

Doubting and being subjective

Adding idiomatic expressions to your conversation

In Chapter 19 I show you how to form the present subjunctive In this chapter I show youhow to use it The subjunctive is used much more often in French than in English In fact

English has retained very little of its subjunctive tense You can find it in such sentences asThey ask that she drive carefully or I request that you be on time But enough about EnglishYou already know how to speak it right

You use the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause when three key criteria are pres-ent in a sentence If yoursquore missing any of these elements then donrsquot use the subjunctiveThe three criteria are

Two clauses linked by que (that)

Two different subjects for each of the two clauses (If the subject of both clauses is thesame then you use the infinitive)

A verb verbal expression or impersonal expression in the main clause thatrsquos in theindicative and expresses doubt subjectivity emotion volition or command

If any of these elements is missing then you need to use either the infinitive or theindicative instead of the subjunctive

Except for some idiomatic expressions you never use the subjunctive by itself In otherwords you canrsquot start a sentence in the subjunctive Because no future subjunctive existsyou use the present subjunctive to express an action in the subordinate clause that takesplace after an action in the main clause Also the present subjunctive is used when the verbin the subordinate clause is simultaneous to mdash meaning it happens at the same time as mdashthe verb in the main clause

You may be asking yourself how you know whether a certain verb or verbal expression inthe main clause requires the subjunctive in the subordinate clause This chapter looks moreclosely at that issue so that yoursquoll be confident every time you have to make that choice

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 223

Expressing Wish Will Preference and Command

In order to guide you in using the subjunctive correctly I separate the verbs andverbal expressions that require the use of the subjunctive into different categoriesYou use the subjunctive in the subordinate clause when the verb or verbal expressionin the main clause expresses wish will preference and command Table 20-1 listsverbs that express just that

Table 20-1 Verbs That Express Wish Will Preference and CommandFrench Phrase English Translation

accepter que to accept that

admettre que to admit that

adorer que to love that to adore that

aimer (mieux) que to like that to prefer that

appreacutecier que to appreciate that

srsquoattendre agrave ce que to expect that

commander que to order that to command that

demander que to ask that

deacutesirer que to desire that to wish that

deacutetester que to hate that

empecirccher que to prevent that

eacutexiger que to demand that to require that

interdire que to forbid that

srsquoopposer agrave ce que to oppose that

ordonner que to order that

permettre que to allow that

preacutefeacuterer que to prefer that

proposer que to propose that

recommander que to recommend that

refuser que to refuse that

regretter que to regret that

souhaiter que to wish that

suggeacuterer que to suggest that

tenir agrave ce que to insist that

vouloir (bien) que to wantwould like that

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 224

Je veux que tu sois gentil (I want you to be nice Literally I want that you be nice)

Put the subjunctive in the subordinate clause Notice that the clauses have differentsubjects

Q Le juge recommande que lrsquoaccuseacute _________________ (dire) la veacuteriteacute

A Le juge recommande que lrsquoaccuseacute dise la veacuteriteacute (The judge recommends that the defendanttell the truth)

1 Les professeurs proposent que nous _________________ (lire) attentivement

2 Tu tiens agrave ce que je _________________ (venir) avec toi

3 Le pilote ordonne que nous _________________ (attacher) notre ceinture de seacutecuriteacute

4 Le meacutedecin nrsquoaime pas que ses patients _________________ (toucher) lrsquoeacutequipement meacutedical

5 La loi empecircche que lrsquoon _________________ (jeter) les ordures dans la rue

6 Jrsquoappreacutecie que tu me _________________ (comprendre)

7 Alexandre preacutefegravere que nous _________________ (voyager) ensemble

8 Mes parents refusent que je _________________ (prendre) la voiture

9 Ceacuteline propose qursquoon _________________ (aller) au cineacutema

10 Nous souhaitons que nos amis _________________ (avoir) de bonnes notes

Showing Emotion or JudgmentAnother important category of verbs and verbal expressions is the one that expressesemotion as well as judgment Take a look at Table 20-2 for a list of these verbs andverbal expressions

Table 20-2 Phrases That Show Emotion or JudgmentFrench Phrase English Translation

avoir honte que to be ashamed that

avoir peur que to be afraid that

craindre que to fear that

deacuteplorer que to deplore that

ecirctre choqueacute que to be shocked that

ecirctre content que to be happycontent that

(continued)

225Chapter 20 Knowing How to Use the Present Subjunctive

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 225

Table 20-2 (continued)French Phrase English Translation

ecirctre deacuteccedilu que to be disappointed that

ecirctre deacutesoleacute que to be sorry that

ecirctre embarrasseacute que to be embarrassed that

ecirctre eacutemu que to be moved that

ecirctre enchanteacute que to be enchanted that

ecirctre eacutetonneacute que to be surprised that

ecirctre facirccheacute que to be angry that

ecirctre fier que to be proud that

ecirctre furieux que to be furious that

ecirctre gecircneacute que to be botheredembarrassed that

ecirctre heureux que to be happy that

ecirctre horrifieacute que to be horrified that

ecirctre inquiet que to be worried that

ecirctre malheureux que to be unhappy that

ecirctre meacutecontent que to be unhappy that

ecirctre navreacute que to be very sorry that

ecirctre ravi que to be delighted that

ecirctre stupeacutefait que to be astonished that

ecirctre surpris que to be surprised that

ecirctre triste que to be sad that

se reacutejouir que to be delighted that

Nous sommes heureux que vous veniez nous voir (We are happy that yoursquorecoming to see us)

Q Il est meacutecontent que ses amis _________________ (aller) au cineacutema sans lui

A Il est meacutecontent que ses amis aillent au cineacutema sans lui (He is unhappy that his friends gowill go to the movies without him)

11 Je suis ravi que vous _________________ (pouvoir) venir

12 Nous sommes surpris que tu _________________ (ne pas avoir) drsquoargent

13 Le professeur est furieux que les eacutetudiants _________________ (ne pas faire) attention

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 226

14 Mme Castel est triste que son fils _________________ (vivre) dans un tel eacutetat

15 Les enfants sont deacuteccedilus qursquoil _________________ (pleuvoir)

Expressing Doubt or UncertaintyYou also use the subjunctive when the verbs or verbal expressions in the main clauseexpress doubt or uncertainty However when the element of doubt or uncertainty nolonger exists then you use the indicative Check out Table 20-3

You use the verbs in Table 20-3 a bit differently than the ones in the previous two sec-tions The difference lies in the way yoursquore using the verb positively negatively orinterrogatively When you use the following verbs or expressions interrogatively ornegatively in the main clause you follow them with the subjunctive in the subordi-nate clause When you use them affirmatively you follow them with the indicative

Croyez-vous qursquoelle dise la veacuteriteacute (Subjunctive) (Do you believe that shersquos tellingthe truth)

Vous ne croyez pas qursquoelle dise la veacuteriteacute (Subjunctive) (You donrsquot believe thatshersquos telling the truth)

Vous croyez qursquoelle dit la veacuteriteacute (Indicative) (You believe that shersquos telling the truth)

Table 20-3 Phrases That Express Doubt or UncertaintyAffirmative (Indicative) Interrogative (Subjunctive) Negative (Subjunctive)

croire que (to believe that) Croire que ne pas croire que

trouver que (to find that) Trouver que ne pas trouver que

penser que (to think that) Penser que ne pas penser que

ecirctre sucircr que (to be sure that) Ecirctre sucircr que ne pas ecirctre sucircr que

ecirctre certain que (to be Ecirctre certain que ne pas ecirctre certain quecertain that)

il est vrai que (it is Est-il vrai que Il nrsquoest pas vrai quetrue that)

il est clair que (it is Est-il clair que Il nrsquoest pas clair queclear that)

il est probable que (it is Est-il probable que Il nrsquoest pas probable queprobable that)

il est eacutevident que (it is Est-il eacutevident que Il nrsquoest pas eacutevident queevident that)

The verb douter que (to doubt that) and the expression il est douteux que (it is doubt-ful that) follow a different pattern than the verbs and phrases in Table 20-3 You usethe subjunctive in the subordinate clause when this verb and expression are used inthe affirmative or in the interrogative because they imply doubt However in the neg-ative the element of doubt no longer exists and you use the indicative

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 227

Tu doutes qursquoil soit malade (Subjunctive) (You doubt that hersquos ill)

Now itrsquos your turn Choose between the present indicative and the subjunctive of theverbs in parentheses Refer to the list of verbs and verbal expressions in Table 20-3 asa guide

Q Il est vrai que nous _________________ (vouloir) voyager

A Il est vrai que nous voulons voyager (Itrsquos true that we want to travel)

16 Ecirctes-vous sucircr qursquoil _________________ (ne pas suivre) de cours

17 Ne trouves-tu pas qursquoil _________________ (faire) froid

18 Il est eacutevident que tu _________________ (savoir) parler franccedilais

19 Je ne doute pas que mon eacutequipe favori _________________ (aller) gagner

20 Il nrsquoest pas clair que les droits humains _________________ (ecirctre) respecteacutes

Showing Opinion Necessity and PossibilityThe subjunctive is a mood of subjectivity As such any expression that expresses anopinion will be followed by the subjunctive Expressions of necessity like il faut que(it is necessary that) as well as possibility like il est possible que (it is possible that)are also followed by the subjunctive Table 20-4 lists these expressions

Table 20-4 Phrases That Show Opinion Necessity and PossibilityFrench Phrase English Translation

il est absurde que it is absurd that

il est bizarre que it is strangebizarre that

il est bon que it is good that

il est curieux que it is curious that

il est essentiel que it is essential that

il est eacutetonnant que it is surprising that

il est eacutetrange que it is strange that

il est important que it is important that

il est impossible que it is impossible that

il est indispensable que it is indispensable that

il est injuste que it is unjust that

il est inutile que it is useless that

il est juste que it is just that

il est naturel que it is natural that

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 228

French Phrase English Translation

il est neacutecessaire que it is necessary that

il est normal que it is normal that

il est possible que it is possible that

il est regrettable que it is regrettable that

il est ridicule que it is ridiculous that

il est souhaitable que it is preferabledesirable that

il est surprenant que it is surprising that

il est utile que it is useful that

il est dommage que it is too bad that

il faut que it is necessary that

il se peut que it may be that

il vaut mieux que it is better that

In all the expressions in Table 20-4 you can replace the il est (it is) with crsquoest (it is)except for the last three il faut que il se peut que and il vaut mieux que

Il se peut qursquoil pleuve demain (It may be that it will rain tomorrow)

Put the verb in parentheses in the present subjunctive

Q Crsquoest utile que tu _________________ (srsquoy connaicirctre) en informatique

A Crsquoest utile que tu trsquoy connaisses en informatique (It is useful that you know about computers)

21 Il vaut mieux que nous _________________ (aller) nous coucher tocirct ce soir

22 Il est possible que mes beaux-parents _________________ (prendre) leur retraite

23 Il est neacutecessaire qursquoAnne _________________ (deacutecrire) ses expeacuteriences

24 Crsquoest souhaitable que nous _________________ (eacuteviter) la circulation

25 Il faut que je _________________ (srsquoen aller)

Expressing Condition Time Concession and Consequence

You also use the subjunctive after certain conjunctions mainly the ones that expressa condition or a concession These conjunctions require the same criteria as theverbs or verbal expressions I mention in the previous sections First the subject inthe main clause must be different from the subject of the subordinate clause If thesubject is the same then use a preposition followed by the infinitive form of the verbSecond these conjunctions must be followed by que (that)

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 229

The conjunctions listed in Table 20-5 connect two clauses You use the subjunctive inthe subordinate clause when the sentence has two different subjects If the sentencehas only one subject these conjunctions become prepositions followed with an infini-tive Note that in such cases the que (that) is dropped and most of the prepositionsrequire de to introduce the infinitive

Note The translations in Table 20-5 apply to both the two subject clauses and singlesubject clauses

Table 20-5 Using Subjunctive Conjunctions or PrepositionsTwo Subject Clauses Single Subject Clauses Translation

agrave condition que agrave condition de provided that

agrave moins que agrave moins de unless

afin que afin de so that in order that (to)

avant que avant de before

de crainte que de crainte de for fear (that)

de peur que de peur de for fear (that)

en attendant que en attendant de while until

pour que pour so that in order that (to)

sans que sans without

See the following paragraph for more information on these conjunctions

The conjunctions in Table 20-5 that have the asterisk before them can take the exple-tive ne before the subjunctive And I know I said that ne is an expletive but itrsquos not adirty word In grammar an expletive is a nonessential word or phrase that you donrsquotneed in the sentence in order to understand it The expletive ne has no meaning andyou donrsquot have to use it but I highly recommend it because itrsquos commonly used beforethe subjunctive after certain conjunctions even in casual conversations Most impor-tantly you need to know that it doesnrsquot make the verb negative In order to make averb negative you put the ne before the conjugated verb and the pas or another nega-tive expression after the verb

Deacutepecircchons-nous avant qursquoil (ne) pleuve (Letrsquos hurry up before it rains)

Il eacutetudie beaucoup de crainte que lrsquoexamen (ne) soit trop difficile (Hersquos studyinga lot for fear that the exam is too difficult)

Note that you must always follow the conjunctions in Table 20-6 with a verb in thesubjunctive even when the clause has no change of subject These conjunctions cannever be prepositions

Table 20-6 Conjunctions That Must Always Be Followed by the Subjunctive

Conjunction English Translation

bien que although

jusqursquoagrave ce que until

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 230

pourvu que provided that

quoique although

quoi que whatever no matter what

Il jouera au match pourvu qursquoil se sente bien (He will play in the game providedthat he feels well)

Link these two clauses together by using a conjunction followed by the subjunctive ora preposition followed by the infinitive Remember the choice depends on the sub-ject If the sentence has one subject (the subjects in the two clauses are the same)use the preposition followed by an infinitive to link the sentences If the sentence hastwo subjects (the subjects are different in each clause) use a conjunction followed bya verb in the subjunctive

Q Ils font des eacuteconomies (afin queafin de) Ils peuvent aller en vacances

A Ils font des eacuteconomies afin de pouvoir aller en vacances (They are saving money inorder to be able to go on vacation)

26 Je te dis cela (pour quepour) Tu le sais

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Nous ferons nos bagages (avant queavant de) Nous partons

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Viens chez moi (agrave moins queagrave moins de) Tu as drsquoautres choses agrave faire

__________________________________________________________________________________

29 Le cambrioleur srsquoeacutechappe (de crainte quede crainte de) La police vient

__________________________________________________________________________________

30 Meacutelanie va voyager (agrave condition queagrave condition de) Elle a de lrsquoargent

__________________________________________________________________________________

Considering Indefinite Doubtful and Subjective Antecedents

An antecedent can be a noun a pronoun a concept or a clause that comes before arelative pronoun and to which the relative pronoun refers If you have a subordinateclause that refers to a concept (or antecedent) in the main clause you may need to use the subjunctive If the concept in the main clause is doubtful indefinite or subjective you put the verb in the subordinate clause in the subjunctive You alsouse the subjunctive after expressions such as le seul (the only) lrsquounique (the unique)le premier (the first) and le dernier (the last) in order to stress the rarity or theuniqueness of the antecedent However if you use these expressions to refer to fac-tual or objective situations then use the indicative in the subordinate clause

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 231

Crsquoest le meilleur professeur qui soit (Hersquos the best professor ever there is) This isan exaggeration and therefore the verb is in the subjunctive

Nous cherchons un hocirctel qui ne soit pas trop cher (We are looking for a hotelthat is not too expensive) This statement doesnrsquot mean that wersquore never going tofind a hotel thatrsquos reasonably priced However the mere fact that wersquore looking foran inexpensive hotel dictates the use of the subjunctive When the verb chercher(to look for) is used affirmatively in the main clause then put the verb in the sub-ordinate clause in the subjunctive

Connais-tu quelqursquoun qui puisse srsquooccuper de mes enfants (Do you know anyonewho can take care of my children) This question is the same type of concept as theprevious two examples Because yoursquore asking if someone knows someone who cantake care of the children this warrants the use of the subjunctive in the subordinateclause

However when the main clause refers to a definite concluded or factual person orthing you use the indicative in the subordinate clause

Crsquoest la plus mauvaise note que jrsquoai ce semestre (Itrsquos the worst grade that I havethis semester) Even though this statement is superlative (the worst) itrsquos factualrather than subjective Therefore you use the indicative

Nous avons trouveacute un hocirctel qui nrsquoest pas trop cher (We found a hotel that is nottoo expensive) We already found the hotel therefore this is factual and the verbin the subordinate clause is in the indicative and not the subjunctive

Look at the antecedents and decide whether you would use the subjunctive or theindicative in the subordinate clause and then correctly conjugate the verb

Q Le directeur cherche un assistant qui _________________ (pouvoir) geacuterer sa compagnie

A Le directeur cherche un assistant qui puisse geacuterer sa compagnie (The director is lookingfor an assistant who can manage his company)

31 Y a-t-il un restaurant qui _________________ (servir) des speacutecialiteacutes franccedilaises

32 Je connais quelqursquoun qui _________________ (ecirctre) tregraves fort en matheacutematiques

33 Crsquoest le plus beau tableau que je _________________ (voir) agrave lrsquoexposition

34 Elle veut trouver une femme de meacutenage qui _________________ (faire) aussi la cuisine

35 Crsquoest la plus grande valise que _________________ (vendre) ce magasin

Looking at Idiomatic Expressions and Commands

You probably already know at least one idiomatic expression in French that takes thesubjunctive Have you heard this Vive la France (Long live France) Well the verb isin the subjunctive As in this phrase you can use the subjunctive alone without therequirement of a main clause when itrsquos part of an idiomatic expression Take a look atthe following idiomatic expressions

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 232

Vive la France (Long live France)

Soit (So be it)

Ainsi soit-il (Amen)

Que je sache (As far as I know)

You also use the subjunctive as a command in the third person singular or plural pre-ceded by the relative pronoun que (that)

Qursquoil sorte (Have him leave Literally That he leave)

Qursquoelle se taise (Have her be quiet)

Qursquoils reviennent (Have them come back)

Translate the following sentences into French

Q Have them eat

A Qursquoils mangent

36 Long live love

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Have him speak

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Have them drink

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 As far as she knows

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Have her sing

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Answer KeyIn this section you can find the correct answers to the practice problems in thischapter Closely review your answers and compare them to the correct ones

a Les professeurs proposent que nous lisions attentivement (The professors propose that weread attentively)

b Tu tiens agrave ce que je vienne avec toi (You insist that I come with you)

c Le pilote ordonne que nous attachions notre ceinture de seacutecuriteacute (The pilot orders that wefasten our seat belts)

d Le meacutedecin nrsquoaime pas que ses patients touchent lrsquoeacutequipement meacutedical (The doctor doesnrsquotlike that the patients touch the medical equipment)

e La loi empecircche que lrsquoon jette les ordures dans la rue (The law prevents that one throw garbagein the street)

f Jrsquoappreacutecie que tu me comprennes (I appreciate that you understand me)

g Alexandre preacutefegravere que nous voyagions ensemble (Alexandre prefers that we travel together)

h Mes parents refusent que je prenne la voiture (My parents refuse that I take the car)

i Ceacuteline propose qursquoon aille au cineacutema (Ceacuteline proposes that we go to the movies)

j Nous souhaitons que nos amis aient de bonnes notes (We wish that our friends have goodgrades)

k Je suis ravi que vous puissiez venir (I am delighted that you can come)

l Nous sommes surpris que tu nrsquoaies pas drsquoargent (We are surprised that you donrsquot have anymoney)

m Le professeur est furieux que les eacutetudiants ne fassent pas attention (The professor is furiousthat the students are not paying attention)

n Mme Castel est triste que son fils vive dans un tel eacutetat (Mme Castel is sad that her son lives insuch a statecondition)

o Les enfants sont deacuteccedilus qursquoil pleuve (The children are disappointed that it is raining)

p Ecirctes-vous sucircr qursquoil ne suive pas de cours (Are you sure that he is not taking any courses)

q Ne trouves-tu pas qursquoil fasse froid (Donrsquot you find that itrsquos cold)

r Il est eacutevident que tu sais parler franccedilais (Itrsquos evident that you know how to speak French)

s Je ne doute pas que mon eacutequipe favori va gagner (I donrsquot doubt that my favorite team is going to win)

t Il nrsquoest pas clair que les droits humains soient respecteacutes (It is not clear that human rights arerespected)

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 234

u Il vaut mieux que nous allions nous coucher tocirct ce soir (It is better that we go to bed early thisevening)

v Il est possible que mes beaux-parents prennent leur retraite (It is possible that my in-laws taketheir retirement)

w Il est neacutecessaire qursquoAnne deacutecrive ses expeacuteriences (It is necessary that Anne describe her experiences)

x Crsquoest souhaitable que nous eacutevitions la circulation (It is preferable that we avoid the traffic)

y Il faut que je mrsquoen aille (It is necessary that I leave or I have to leave)

A Je te dis cela pour que tu le saches (I am telling you this so that you know it)

B Nous ferons nos bagages avant de partir (We will pack before leaving)

C Viens chez moi agrave moins drsquoavoir drsquoautres choses agrave faire (Come to my house unless you haveother things to do)

D Le cambrioleur srsquoeacutechappe de crainte que la police (ne) vienne (The burglar escapes for fearthat the police will come)

E Meacutelanie va voyager agrave condition drsquoavoir de lrsquoargent (Meacutelanie is going to travel provided that shehas money)

F Y a-t-il un restaurant qui serve des speacutecialiteacutes franccedilaises (Is there a restaurant that servesFrench specialities)

G Je connais quelqursquoun qui est tregraves fort en matheacutematiques (I know someone who is very goodstrong in Math)

H Crsquoest le plus beau tableau que je voie agrave lrsquoexposition (It is the most beautiful painting that I seein the exhibit)

I Elle veut trouver une femme de meacutenage qui fasse aussi la cuisine (She wants to find a cleaningwoman who also cooks)

J Crsquoest la plus grande valise que vend ce magasin (Itrsquos the biggest suitcase that this store sells)

K Vive lrsquoamour

L Qursquoil parle

M Qursquoils boivent

N Qursquoelle sache

O Qursquoelle chante

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 235

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 236

Chapter 21

Forming and Using the Past SubjunctiveIn This Chapter Creating the past subjunctive

Using the past subjunctive

Choosing between the present and past subjunctive

In French you use the past subjunctive much more often than in English Itrsquos a compoundtense and is used to express a completed action in the past The choice between the

present and past subjunctive depends on the time relationship between the main clauseand the subordinate clause

You use the past subjunctive also known as the perfect subjunctive in oral as well as writtenFrench It follows the same rules as the present subjunctive that I talk about in Chapters 19and 20 Use the past subjunctive when the action of the verb in the subordinate clause takesplace before the action of the main verb That sounds tricky but you can see an example ofthis in this sentence Je suis triste que mon ami ne soit pas venu agrave ma boom hier means I am sad that my friend did not come to my party yesterday In this chapter I first show youhow to form the past subjunctive and then how to correctly use it

Forming the Past SubjunctiveLike all past tenses in French the past subjunctive needs an auxiliary and a past participleof a verb of your choice Remember that French has two auxiliaries mdash avoir (to have) andecirctre (to be) To form the past subjunctive you put these two auxiliaries in the present subjunctive and add the past participle For a list of verbs taking these auxiliaries as well asa list of past participles see Chapter 12

The past subjunctive follows the same rules of agreement as any other compound pasttense If the auxiliary of the verb is ecirctre then the past participle agrees with the subject Ifthe auxiliary of the verb is avoir then the past participle agrees with the preceding directobject if the sentence has one If the sentence doesnrsquot have a preceding direct object thenthe past participle doesnrsquot change

All pronominal verbs take the auxiliary ecirctre but they follow the same rule of agreement asthose taking the auxiliary avoir The past participle agrees with the preceding direct objectif the sentence has one In the following examples I conjugate an avoir verb (voir) an ecirctreverb (partir) and a pronominal verb (se lever) in the past subjunctive tense

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 237

voir (to see)

que jrsquoaie vu que nous ayons vu

que tu aies vu que vous ayez vu

qursquoilelleon ait vu qursquoilselles aient vu

Crsquoest le meilleur film que jrsquoaie vu (Itrsquos the best film that Irsquove seen)

partir (to leave)

que je sois parti(e) que nous soyons partis(es)

que tu sois parti(e) que vous soyez parti(s)(e)(es)

qursquoilelleon soit parti(e) qursquoilselles soient partis(es)

Il est triste que tu sois parti (Hersquos sad that you left)

que je me sois leveacute(e) que nous nous soyons leveacutes(es)

que tu te sois leveacute(e) que vous vous soyez leveacute(s)(e)(es)

qursquoilelleon se sois leveacute(e) qursquoilselles se soient leveacutes(es)

Il est surprenant que vous vous soyez leve si tocirct (It is surprising that you got up so early)

Put the verbs in parentheses in the past subjunctive

Q que tu _________________ (faire)

A que tu aies fait

1 que nous _________________ (venir)

2 qursquoils _________________ (chercher)

3 que tu _________________ (tomber)

4 que vous _________________ (demander)

5 qursquoelle _________________ (rester)

Using the Past SubjunctiveThe past subjunctive is like any other past tense You use it in the subordinate clauseit follows the same rules as the present subjunctive The verb or verbal expression inthe main clause must express a wish will command emotion doubt or a subjectivepoint of view in order for the verb in the subordinate clause to be in the subjunctiveRemember Use the past subjunctive when the action of the verb in the subordinateclause comes before the action of the verb in the main clause

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 238

The choice between the present and past subjunctive doesnrsquot depend on the tense ofthe verb in the main clause The verb in the main clause can be in the present pastfuture or even the conditional

Mon grand-pegravere eacutetait surpris que je ne sois pas alleacute le voir (My grandfather wassurprised that I did not go to see him)

Try putting the verbs in parentheses in the past subjunctive Check out the samplepractice problem if you need help

Q Elle aurait preacutefeacutereacute que nous _________________ (teacuteleacutephoner)

A Elle aurait preacutefeacutereacute que nous ayons teacuteleacutephoneacute (She would have preferred that we called)

6 Crsquoest dommage que ton chien _________________ (mourir)

7 Croyez-vous qursquoils _________________ (ne pas prendre) de vacances depuis trois ans

8 Nous sommes ravis que notre fille _________________ (recevoir) son diplocircme

9 Jrsquoeacutetais surpris que tu _________________ (ne pas teacuteleacutephoner)

10 Je regrette qursquoils _________________ (finir) avant sept heures

Distinguishing between the Present and Past Subjunctive

You choose either the present or past subjunctive based on the time relationship ofthe action of the verb in the subordinate clause with the verb in the main clause

Use the present subjunctive when the action of the verb in the subordinate clauseoccurs at the same time or after the action of the main verb

Je suis triste que tu partes (I am sad that you are leaving)

Jrsquoeacutetais triste que tu partes (I was sad that you were leaving)

Je serai triste que tu partes (I will be sad that you will be leaving)

Use the past subjunctive when the action of the subordinate verb occurs before theaction of the main verb

Je suis triste que tu sois parti (I am sad that you left)

Jrsquoeacutetais triste que tu sois parti (I was sad that you left)

Je serai triste que tu sois parti (I will be sad that you left)

Decide between the present and past subjunctive in the following practice problemsRemember that if the action of the verb in the subordinate clause occurs at the sametime or after the action of the main verb you use the present subjunctive But if theaction of the subordinate verb occurs before the action of the main verb use the pastsubjunctive

239Chapter 21 Forming and Using the Past Subjunctive

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 239

Q Bien qursquoil _________________ (essayer) drsquoouvrir la porte il nrsquoa pas pu

A Bien qursquoil ait essayeacute drsquoouvrir la porte il nrsquoa pas pu (Even though he tried to open the doorhe was not able to)

11 Je suis content que tu _________________ (venir) hier soir

12 Il faut que tu le _________________ (faire) maintenant

13 Bien que maman _________________ (preacuteparer) un grand repas personne nrsquoavait faim

14 Tout le monde regrette que vous _________________ (ecirctre) licencieacute

15 Je lirai en attendant que tu _________________ (srsquohabiller)

16 Crsquoest le meilleur film que je jamais _________________ (voir)

17 Nos parents nous laisseront sortir pourvu que nous _________________ (amener) notresoeur

18 Jrsquoaurais voulu que tu _________________ (finir) tes eacutetudes avant de te marier

19 Il est neacutecessaire que nous _________________ (apprendre) le subjonctif

20 Il vaut mieux que vous lui _________________ (teacuteleacutephoner) avant de le voir

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 240

Answer KeyThis section contains the answers to the practice problems in this chapter Compareyour answers to the correct answers (I donrsquot provide translations for problems 1ndash5because theyrsquore only verb conjugations and arenrsquot complete sentences)

a que nous soyons venus(es)

b qursquoils aient chercheacute

c que tu sois tombeacute(e)

d que vous ayez demandeacute

e qursquoelle soit resteacutee

f Crsquoest dommage que ton chien soit mort (It is too bad that your dog died)

g Croyez-vous qursquoils nrsquoaient pas pris de vacances depuis trois ans (Do you believe that they didnot take a vacation for three years)

h Nous sommes ravis que notre fille ait reccedilu son diplocircme (We are delighted that our daughterreceived her diploma)

i Jrsquoeacutetais surpris que tu nrsquoaies pas teacuteleacutephoneacute (I was surprised that you didnrsquot call)

j Je regrette qursquoils nrsquoaient pas fini avant sept heures (I regret that they did not finish before sevenorsquoclock)

k Je suis content que tu sois venu(e) hier soir (I am happy that you came yesterday evening)

l Il faut que tu le fasses maintenant (It is necessary that you do it now)

m Bien que maman ait preacutepareacute un grand repas personne nrsquoavait faim (Even though mom pre-pared a big meal no one was hungry)

n Tout le monde regrette que vous ayez eacuteteacute licencieacute (Everyone regrets that you were laid off)

o Je lirai en attendant que tu trsquohabilles (I will read while waiting that you get dressed)

p Crsquoest le meilleur film que jrsquoaie jamais vu (Itrsquos the best film that I ever saw)

q Nos parents nous laisseront sortir pourvu que nous amenions notre soeur (Our parents willallow us to go out provided that we bring our sister)

r Jrsquoaurais voulu que tu aies fini tes eacutetudes avant de te marier (I would have liked that you had finished your studies before getting married)

s Il est neacutecessaire que nous apprenions le subjonctif (It is necessary that we learn thesubjunctive)

t Il vaut mieux que vous lui teacuteleacutephoniez avant de le voir (It is better that you call him beforeseeing him)

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 241

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 242

Part VIThe Part of Tens

30_773883 pt06qxp 72806 849 PM Page 243

In this part

This part is similar to one in every other For Dummiesbook Here I include some great information in a nut-

shell that doesnrsquot necessarily fit anywhere else in thisbook In this part I include two chapters with fun informa-tion that you can quickly absorb Chapter 22 looks at tenverbs that are used the French way Chapter 23 looks atten verbs that are often frequently mixed-up betweenFrench and English

30_773883 pt06qxp 72806 849 PM Page 244

Chapter 22

Ten Verbs Used the French WayIn This Chapter Distinguishing transitive from intransitive verbs

Making sense of the prepositions

If yoursquove ever tried to translate something from one language to another you probablydidnrsquot translate literally or word for word If you did translate literally you probably

noticed something that didnrsquot quite jive in the translation Thatrsquos because every languagehas a way of saying things thatrsquos unique to that language and therefore different in other languages

French is no different In this chapter I help you avoid pitfalls regarding ten verbs that areused transitively in English but intransitively in French and vice versa This means that someverbs are followed by a direct object in one language but not in the other and some verbstake a preposition in one language but not in the other Transitive verbs are followed by adirect object whereas intransitive verbs arenrsquot (Chapter 1 gives you the complete lowdownon the differences between transitive and intransitive verbs) This chapter looks moreclosely at ten common verbs that you may use in everyday conversation (Please know thatthis list isnrsquot exhaustive I only list ten of the most common) I start first with verbs that aretransitive in French but intransitive in English and then move to the intransitive Frenchverbs (and transitive English verbs)

Attendre (To Wait For)The first French transitive verb that comes to mind is attendre (to wait for) (In English thisverb is intransitive) Think of the preposition for as being built into the verb itself and there-fore making any other preposition unnecessary

Nous attendons le train (We are waiting for the train)

Ils attendent le professeur (They are waiting for their professor)

Chercher (To Look For)The verb chercher (to look for) is another verb thatrsquos transitive in French and intransitive inEnglish In French you say Je cherche les cleacutes which is literally Irsquom looking the keys but ingood English is Irsquom looking for the keys The preposition for is built into the verb You alsouse the verb chercher to mean to pick up someone So donrsquot panic if someone says Je vaischercher mes enfants agrave lrsquoeacutecole This statement doesnrsquot necessarily mean that I am going tolook for my children in school in the sense that they are lost in the school mdash instead it meansIrsquom picking them up

31_773883 ch22qxp 8206 139 PM Page 245

Eacutecouter (To Listen To)Eacutecouter (to listen to) is also transitive in French but intransitive in English Notice thatthe following example doesnrsquot use a preposition between the verb eacutecouter and thenoun unlike in English where you use the preposition to

Il eacutecoute la radio (He is listening to the radio)

Nous eacutecoutons le president (We are listening to the president)

Payer (To Pay)When you go shopping how do you pay for your purchases How do you pay for yourmovie ticket or even the grocery bill In French the verb payer (to pay) is transitiveand doesnrsquot need a preposition (like for) after it like it does in English

Tu paies les provisions (You are paying for the groceries)

Nous payons les billets drsquoavion (We are paying for the plane tickets)

However donrsquot use the verb payer to mean to pay a visit to someone instead use theverb rendre visite agrave (see Chapter 23)

Regarder (To Look At To Watch)The last French transitive verb that I cover in this chapter is the verb regarder (to lookat to watch) In French this verb is always followed by the direct object regardless ofhow you translate it in English

Il regarde les oiseaux (He is looking at the birds)

Regarder also means to watch and in that sense itrsquos transitive in both English andFrench

Vous regardez le match (You are watching the game)

Je regarde la teacuteleacute (Irsquom watching television)

Demander (To Ask)The first intransitive French verb (but transitive English verb) that I cover is demander(to ask) With this verb and the following four verbs in this chapter you follow theverb with the preposition agrave in French When you ask someone a question use the verbdemander agrave followed by the person

Les eacutetudiants demandent au professeur drsquoexpliquer la leccedilon (The students askthe professor to explain the lesson)

Elle demande agrave ses parents si elle peut sortir (She asks her parents if she can go out)

246 Part VI The Part of Tens

31_773883 ch22qxp 8206 139 PM Page 246

However donrsquot use the verb demander agrave when you want to ask a question use theverb poser (to put to ask) followed by the noun une question (a question) The personto whom you are asking the question is still indirect with this verb The followingexamples clarify this construction

Il pose une question (He is asking a question)

Il pose une question au directeur (He is asking a question to the director)

Obeacuteir (To Obey)You also add the preposition agrave to the verb obeacuteir (to obey) In French you must say toobey to someone and therefore the person is the indirect object instead of the directobject In English the person is the direct object The fact that yoursquore obeying some-thing rather than someone doesnrsquot change the structure of the verb You still need thepreposition agrave

Les enfants obeacuteissent agrave leurs parents (The children obey their parents)

Nous obeacuteissons agrave la loi (We obey the law)

Permettre (To Allow)The same rule applies to the verb permettre (to allow) That is to say that in Frenchyou allow to someone to do something and therefore you need the preposition agravebefore the noun This verb is intransitive in French but transitive in English

Le directeur permet aux employeacutes de partir tocirct (The director allows the employeesto leave early)

Mme Meneau permet agrave sa fille de sortir avec Mathieu (Mrs Meneau allows herdaughter to go out with Mathieu)

Reacutepondre (To Answer)Another verb that you use differently in French than in English is the verb reacutepondre(to answer) In French you answer to someone as well as to a question

Tu reacuteponds agrave la question (You answer the question)

Nous reacutepondons agrave notre entraicircneur (We are answering our coach)

Teacuteleacutephoner (To Telephone To Call)When you call someone you actually call to someone in French This meaning is con-veyed by the verb teacuteleacutephoner followed by the preposition agrave and then followed byeither a person or a place

Je teacuteleacutephone agrave mes amis (I am calling my friends)

Ils teacuteleacutephonent agrave leurs parents (They call their parents)

Nous teacuteleacutephonons au bureau (Wersquore calling the office)

247Chapter 22 Ten Verbs Used the French Way

31_773883 ch22qxp 8206 139 PM Page 247

31_773883 ch22qxp 8206 139 PM Page 248

Chapter 23

Ten Most Frequently Mixed-Up VerbsIn This Chapter Deciphering nuances

Recognizing false friends

French has many ways a nonnative speaker can mix up verbs or use them incorrectlyThe mix-ups are a result of these three problems

These verbs sound like or are spelled similarly to an English verb An example isrester This verb doesnrsquot mean to rest it means to stay

These verbs have the same meaning in English but are used differently in French Forexample the verb visiter means (you guessed it) to visit but you canrsquot use it to say thatyoursquore visiting friends (Refer to ldquoVisiting a Place or Visiting a Personrdquo in this chapter)

Other verbs change their meanings by changing the preposition that follows them Onecommon example is the verb jouer (to play) It can take the preposition agrave or de depend-ing on what yoursquore playing (Check out ldquoPlaying a Game or Playing an Instrumentrdquo later inthis chapter for more info)

This chapter shows you how to use these verbs correctly and explains the nuances thatthey may entail (Chapter 10 also looks at different types of verbs that nonnatives some-times mix up)

Visiting a Place or Visiting a PersonFrench has two different verbs that mean to visit One is visiter which is a regular -er verbconjugated just like parler (to speak) mdash see Chapter 2 for more on regular -er verbs Use theverb visiter to visit places such as cities countries museums and so on

Nous avons visiteacute le Louvre lrsquoanneacutee derniegravere (We visited the Louvre last year)

Ils visiteront le Tibet au printemps (They will visit Tibet in the spring)

To visit a person use the verbal construction rendre visite agrave which translates as to pay avisit to someone You conjugate the verb rendre which is a regular -re verb and keep visitethe way it is Just remember to add the preposition agrave before the person or people yoursquore vis-iting The person or people to whom yoursquore paying a visit are always the indirect object ofthis verb

Il rend visite agrave ses grands-parents chaque eacuteteacute (He visits his grandparents every summer)

Est-ce que tu as rendu visite agrave tes amis hier (Did you visit your friends yesterday)

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 249

Spending Time or Spending MoneyEnglish doesnrsquot have a difference between spending time or spending money becauseboth constructions use the same verb In French the verb to use when you spendtime doing something is passer

Je passe mon temps agrave jardiner (I spend my time gardening)

Les enfants ont passeacute leur eacuteteacute agrave jouer agrave la plage (The children spent their summerplaying at the beach)

In addition to meaning to spend you also use passer in the construction passer unexamen which means to take an exam such as with Les eacutetudiants ont passeacute cinqexamens cette semaine (The students took five exams this week) In this context theverb doesnrsquot actually tell you anything about whether the students passed the examor not

To express spending money use the verb deacutepenser

Elle a deacutepenseacute tout son salaire (She spent her entire salary)

Nous deacutepensons beaucoup drsquoargent au centre commercial (We spend a lot ofmoney at the mall)

Sometimes you use the verb deacutepenser to express other things that you spend (or use)such as gas water or electricity

La climatisation deacutepense beaucoup drsquoeacutelectriciteacute (Air conditioning uses a lot of electricity)

Knowing People or Places or Knowing Something

French has two different verbs that mean to know You use one for people and placesand you use the other for facts and saying that you know how to do something

Use the verb connaicirctre with people places and things It expresses the idea thatyoursquore acquainted with or have a familiarity with someone or something You need tofollow this verb with a direct object because itrsquos a transitive verb it canrsquot be followedby a clause or by another verb (Check out Chapter 1 for more on transitive verbs)

Je connais le PDG de lrsquoentreprise (I know the CEO of the company)

Connaissez-vous lrsquohistoire de la France (Do you know the history of France)

Nous connaissons le Quartier Latin (We know the Latin Quarter)

On the other hand the verb savoir means to know facts such as dates namesaddresses and telephone numbers or to know something by heart as well as toknow how to do something

Il sait le numeacutero de teacuteleacutephone de Ceacuteline (He knows Celinersquos telephone number)

Nous savons parler arabe (We know how to speak Arabic)

Je sais quand il part (I know when hersquos leaving)

When you want to say I know or I donrsquot know you use the verb savoir

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 250

Savez-vous quelle heure il est (Do you know what time it is)

Je ne sais pas (I donrsquot know)

Playing a Game or Playing an InstrumentTo play a game a sport or an instrument use the verb jouer (to play) which is a reg-ular -er verb (check out Chapter 2) Thatrsquos not so confusing but the preposition thatfollows this verb makes all the difference Use jouer with the preposition agrave when play-ing sports or a game

Les enfants jouent au football le samedi (The children play soccer on Saturdays)

Nous jouons aux eacutechecs (We play chess)

When playing a musical instrument use jouer with the preposition de

Mes filles jouent du violon (My daughters play violin)

Il aime jouer de la batterie (He likes to play the drums)

Leaving or Leaving Something BehindThe verbs partir srsquoen aller quitter and laisser all mean to leave but you use themdifferently

Partir and srsquoen aller are synonyms When you want to say quite simply I am leavingor someone or something is leaving use these verbs

Je mrsquoen vais (Irsquom leaving)

Il part (He is leaving)

Le train part agrave dix heures (The train leaves at 10 orsquoclock)

On the other hand the verb quitter is always followed by a direct object In otherwords use this verb when yoursquore leaving a place or a person When quitter is usedwith people it usually means to abandon

Elle a quitteacute la salle (She left the room)

Il a quitteacute sa femme (He left his wife)

The verb laisser means that yoursquore leaving something behind

Jrsquoai laisseacute mes cleacutes dans la voiture (I left my keys in the car)

Ils laissent leurs affaires partout (They leave their things everywhere)

You also use the verb laisser to mean to allow or to let someone do something whenitrsquos followed by an infinitive

Je laisse jouer les enfants (I let the children play)

Il me laisse partir (Hersquos letting me leave)

251Chapter 23 Ten Most Frequently Mixed-Up Verbs

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 251

Returning Home Returning Something or Just Returning

French has four verbs that mean to return or to come back They are retourner rentrerrevenir and rendre You use retourner for coming back to a place other than home

Le chien retourne agrave son endroit favori (The dog returns to his favorite spot)

Les eacutetudiants retournent agrave lrsquoeacutecole (The students return to school)

You use the verb revenir (to come back) like the verb retourner (to return) butrevenir implies to come back to the same place you set off from The verbs retournerand revenir take the auxiliary ecirctre when used in a compound past tense like thepasseacute composeacute (See Chapter 12 for more on the passeacute composeacute) Unlike revenirretourner can be followed by a direct object in which case it takes the auxiliary avoir

Je reviendrai dans un quart drsquoheure (Irsquoll be back in 15 minutes)

You use the verb rentrer to mean to return home Remember that this verb like theverbs revenir and retourner takes the auxiliary ecirctre when you use it in a compoundpast tense like the passeacute composeacute

Nous sommes rentreacutes tard hier soir (We came back [home] late last night)

Elle rentre toujours agrave sept heures (She always comes home at 7 orsquoclock)

You use rendre when you return something usually a borrowed object or when yougive something back

Il a rendu les livres agrave la bibliothegraveque (He returned the books to the library)

Le professeur rend les compositions (The professor is giving back the compositions)

Leading Bringing or Taking SomeoneThe verbs amener ramener emmener and remmener are all compounds of theverb mener (to lead)

Le Maire megravene le deacutefileacute (The Mayor is leading the parade)

Elle megravene une vie priveacutee (She leads a private life)

Amener means to bring someone somewhere and ramener means to bring someone back

Elle amegravene ses enfants agrave lrsquoeacutecole (She brings her children to school)

Elle ramegravene ses enfants de lrsquoeacutecole (She brings back her children from school)

Emmener means to take someone along and remmener means to take someone back

Quand nous allons en vacances nous emmenons notre fille (When we go onvacation we take our daughter along)

Il doit remmener sa petite amie (He has to take his girlfriend back)

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 252

Carrying Bringing Taking or Taking Back Something

Apporter rapporter emporter and remporter are compounds of porter (to wear)You can use these verbs with things You also use the verb porter when you carrysomething

Nous portons notre sac agrave dos (We are carrying our book bag)

Le petit chaperon rouge porte une corbeille (Little Red Riding Hood is carrying abasket)

The verb apporter means to bring something and rapporter is to bring something back

Je vais apporter une bouteille de vin (I am going to bring a bottle of wine)

Papa rapporte des chocolats de Suisse (Dad bring some chocolates back fromSwitzerland)

To take something along with you use the verb emporter

Nous emportons des vecirctements chauds pour notre voyage en Alaska (We aretaking warm clothes for our trip to Alaska)

Also use emporter when you take out or carry out food

Ce restaurant a des plats deacutelicieux agrave emporter (This restaurant has deliciousmeals tofor takeout)

Remporter means to take back or to take away

Remportez le bifteck ce nrsquoest pas assez cuit (Take back the steak itrsquos not cookedenough)

Les eacutetudiants remportent leurs cahiers agrave la fin du semestre (The students takeback their notebooks at the end of the semester)

Thinking or Thinking AboutIn French the verb penser (to think) is a regular -er verb However you can follow thisverb with either the preposition agrave or the preposition de How do you choose betweenthese two prepositions Well if you want to say that yoursquore thinking about someone orsomething use the preposition agrave

Il pense agrave ses enfants (Hersquos thinking ofabout his children)

Nous pensons agrave notre avenir (Wersquore thinking about our future)

You use penser de to ask the question What do you think about someone or something

Qursquoest-ce que tu penses de ton patron (What do you think of your boss)

Que pensent-ils du film (What do they think about the film)

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 253

Donrsquot use the preposition de to answer these questions Instead use penser que inyour response

You answer Je pense qursquoil est gentil (I think he is nice)

Waiting or AttendingFrench has many false friends or faux amis These false friends are words that maylook the same as a word in English but have a different meaning This is the case withthe verbs attendre and assister agrave Keep in mind that attendre doesnrsquot mean to attendand assister agrave doesnrsquot mean to assist In fact assister agrave means to attend Donrsquot forget touse the preposition agrave after this verb

Nous assisterons agrave la conference (We will attend the lectureconference)

Ils assistent au match (They are attending the game)

Attendre means to wait for and is a transitive verb in French thatrsquos followed by adirect object (Refer to Chapter 1 for more on transitive verbs)

Elle attend ses amies (Shersquos waiting for her friends)

Jrsquoattends les reacutesultats (Irsquom waiting for the results)

32_773883 ch23qxp 8206 139 PM Page 254

Part VIIAppendixes

33_773883 pt07qxp 72806 850 PM Page 255

In this part

This part includes three appendixes two of which arevery helpful glossaries Appendix A is a French-to-

English verb glossary where I list all the French verbs thatI use in this book (and a few bonus ones) along with theirEnglish translations and Appendix B is an English-to-Frenchglossary that lists the verbs first by the English followed bya French translation Appendix C may be one of the mosthelpful pieces in this book because it helps you keep irreg-ular verbs in order

33_773883 pt07qxp 72806 850 PM Page 256

Appendix A

French-to-English Verb Glossary

Have you encountered a French verb but arenrsquot sure of its translation Not to worryJust use this glossary to find its English meaning This glossary doesnrsquot contain every

single French verb but it does include all the French verbs I use in this book and a few morebonus ones I place an asterisk beside the French verb to alert you that itrsquos an irregularverb (Check out Appendix C to see how to conjugate the irregular verbs) All the regularverbs are conjugated the same way depending on whether the verb is an -er -ir or -re verb

accueillir to welcome to greet

accuser to accuse

acheter to buy

admettre to admit

admirer to admire

adorer to adore

agacer to annoy to irritate

agir to act

srsquoagir de to be a question of to be about

aller to go

amener to bring someone

srsquoamuser to have fun

annoncer to announce to declare

apercevoir to perceive to notice

apparaicirctre to appear

appartenir to belong to

appeler to call

srsquoappeler to be named

apporter to bring something

apprendre to learn

arranger to arrange

arriver to arrive

assister agrave to attend

attacher to attach

avancer to advance

avoir to have

se baigner to bathe

balancer to swing

balayer to sweep

bacirctir to build

bavarder to chat to talk

bercer to rock to cradle

blesser to hurt to wound

boire to drink

bouger to move

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 257

se brosser to brush

bronzer to tan

cacher to hide

ceacuteleacutebrer to celebrate

changer to change

chanter to sing

choisir to choose

se coiffer to do onersquos hair

commencer to begin

commettre to commit

comparer to compare

compromettre to compromise

concevoir to conceive

conduire to drive

congeler to freeze

connaicirctre to know

conseiller to advise

consentir to consent

construire to construct to build

contenir to contain

continuer to continue

contredire to contradict

corriger to correct

se coucher to go to bed

couper to cut

couvrir to cover

craindre to fear

croire to believe

cueillir to pick to gather

cuire to cook

danser to dance

se deacutebrouiller to manage

deacuteceler to detect to reveal

deacutecevoir to disappoint

deacutecider to decide

deacutecourager to discourage

deacutecrire to describe

deacutedicacer to sign to autograph

deacutefendre to defend

deacutefendre de to forbid

demander to ask

deacutemeacutenager to move to change residence

deacutenoncer to denounce

se deacutepecirccher to hurry

deacuteplacer to displace

deacuteranger to bother to disturb

descendre to go down to take down

deacutesirer to desire to want

deacutetester to hate

devenir to become

devoir to have to to must to owe

dire to say

258 Part VII Appendixes

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 258

disparaicirctre to disappear

disputer to argue

divorcer to get a divorce

donner to give

dormir to sleep

eacutecouter to listen

eacutecrire to write

effacer to erase

effrayer to frighten to scare

eacutelire to elect

embrasser to kiss to embrace

emmener to take someone along

employer to use

emporter to take something along

srsquoen aller to leave

encourager to encourage

srsquoendormir to fall asleep

srsquoeacutenerver to become irritated

ennuyer to bother

enrager to be furious to be in a rage

enseigner to teach

entendre to hear

srsquoentendre to get along

entrer to enter

entrevoir to catch a glimpse of to make out

envoyer to send

espeacuterer to hope

essayer to try

essuyer to wipe

ecirctre to be

srsquoexcuser to excuse oneself

exiger to require to demand

faire to do to make

se fiancer to beget engaged

finir to finish

fondre to melt

forcer to force to compel

geler to freeze

glacer to chill to glaze

gueacuterir to cure to heal

srsquohabiller to get dressed

habiter to live (somewhere) to reside

heacutesiter to hesitate

infliger to inflict to impose

srsquo inquieacuteter to be worried

interdire to forbid

inviter to invite

259Appendix A French-to-English Verb Glossary

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 259

jeter to throw

jouer to play

juger to judge

laisser to allow to let to leave somethingsomeone

(se) laver to wash

lever to raise to lift

se lever to get up

lire to read

loger to accommodate to lodge

manger to eat

se maquiller to put makeup on

marcher to walk

menacer to threaten

mener to lead

mentir to lie

mettre to put to place

se mettre agrave to begin

monter to climb to go up to get in

nager to swim

nettoyer to clean

nuire to be harmful to harm

obliger to oblige to compel

obtenir to obtain

offrir to offer

oublier to forget

ouvrir to open

paraicirctre to appear

parler to speak

partager to share

partir to leave

passer to spend to pass

payer to pay

se peigner to comb onersquos hair

peler to peel

pendre to hang

penser to think

percer to pierce

perdre to lose to waste

peser to weigh

pincer to pinch

placer to place

plonger to dive

polir to polish

porter to wear to carry

pouvoir to be able to

preacutedire to predict

prendre to take

preacuteparer to prepare

preacutesenter to present to introduce

preacutevoir to foresee to anticipate

prolonger to prolong

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 260

se promener to take a walk to stroll

prononcer to pronounce

proposer to propose

proscrire to banish to prohibit

punir to punish

quitter to leave to abandon

ramener to bring someone back

ranger to put in order to arrange

rapporter to bring something back

se raser to shave

ravager to devastate to ravage

recevoir to receive

recommencer to start again

reconnaicirctre to recognize

recouvrer to recover

reacutecrire to rewrite

reacutediger to draft to write

redire to repeat

reacutefleacutechir agrave to reflect to think

refuser to refuse

regarder to watch

rejeter to reject

reacutejouir to rejoice to delight

relire to reread

remettre to put back

remmener to take someone back

remplir to fill

remporter to take back to take away

rencontrer to meet

rendre visite agrave quelqursquoun to pay a visit tosomeone (to visit someone)

renforcer to reinforce

renoncer to give up to renounce

rentrer to come back home

repartir to leave again

se reposer to rest

reprendre to take (up) again to continue

ressentir to feel

retenir to retain

reacuteunir to unite to gather to assemble

reacuteussir agrave to succeed

se reacuteveiller to wake up

recircver to dream

revoir to see again

rire to laugh

rougir to blush

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 261

savoir to know

sentir to feel to smell

servir to serve

songer (agrave) to dream to think over

sortir to go out

souffrir to suffer

soulager to relieve

soumettre to subject to subjugate

sourire to smile

se souvenir de to remember

tenir to hold

tomber to fall

tondre to mow

tracer to draw to trace

trahir to betray

transmettre to transmit

travailler to work

trouver to find

tutoyer to address someone as ldquoturdquo

unir to unite

vendre to sell

venger to avenge

venir to come

visiter to visit (a place)

voir to see

vouloir to want

vouvoyer to address someone as ldquovousrdquo

voyager to travel

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 262

Appendix B

English-to-French Verb Glossary

Have you been talking away in French only to come to a complete halt because yoursquorenot quite sure of the French verb This glossary can help Just look up the English

verb for the French translation Voilagrave (I add an asterisk after the French verb to help youidentify the irregular verbs you can then check out Appendix C on how to conjugate theirregular verb)

to accommodate to lodge loger

to accuse accuser

to act agir

to address someone as ldquoturdquo tutoyer

to address someone as ldquovousrdquo vouvoyer

to admire admirer

to admit admettre

to adore adorer

to advance avancer

to advise conseiller

to allow to let to leave somethingsomeone laisser

to announce to declare annoncer

to annoy to irritate agacer

to answer reacutepondre agrave

to appear to seem apparaicirctre

to appear paraicirctre

to argue disputer

to arrange arranger

to arrive arriver

to ask demander

to attach attacher

to attend assister agrave

to avenge venger

to banish to prohibit proscrire

to bathe se baigner

to be ecirctre

to be a question of to be about srsquoagir de

to be able to pouvoir

to be bored srsquoennuyer

to be engaged se fiancer

to be furious to be in a rage enrager

to be harmful to harm nuire

to be named srsquoappeler

to be worried srsquo inquieacuteter

to become devenir

to become irritated srsquoeacutenerver

to begin commencer

to begin se mettre agrave

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 263

to believe croire

to belong to appartenir

to betray trahir

to blush rougir

to bother ennuyer

to bother to disturb deacuteranger

to bring someone amener

to bring someone back ramener

to bring something apporter

to bring something back rapporter

to brush se brosser

to build bacirctir

to buy acheter

to call appeler

to call teacuteleacutephoner

to catch a glimpse of to make out entrevoir

to celebrate ceacuteleacutebrer

to change changer

to chat to talk bavarder

to chill to glaze glacer

to choose choisir

to clean nettoyer

to climb to go up to get in monter

to comb onersquos hair se peigner

to come venir

to come back revenir

to come back home rentrer

to commit commettre

to compare comparer

to compromise compromettre

to conceive concevoir

to consent consentir

to construct to build construire

to contain contenir

to continue continuer

to contradict contredire

to cook cuire

to correct corriger

to cover couvrir

to cure to heal gueacuterir

to cut couper

to cut oneself se couper

to dance danser

to decide deacutecider

to defend deacutefendre

to denounce deacutenoncer

to describe deacutecrire

to desire to want deacutesirer

to detect to reveal deacuteceler

to devastate to ravage ravager

to disappear disparaicirctre

to disappoint deacutecevoir

to discourage deacutecourager

to discover deacutecouvrir

to displace deacuteplacer

to dive plonger

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 264

to do to make faire

to do onersquos hair se coiffer

to draft to write reacutediger

to draw to trace tracer

to dream recircver

to dream to think over songer (agrave)

to drink boire

to drive conduire

to eat manger

to elect eacutelire

to encourage encourager

to enter entrer

to erase effacer

to establish eacutetablir

to exaggerate exageacuterer

to excuse oneself srsquoexcuser

to fall tomber

to fall asleep srsquoendormir

to fear craindre

to feel ressentir

to feel to smell sentir

to feel se sentir

to fill remplir

to find trouver

to finish finir

to forbid deacutefendre de

to forbid interdire

to force to compel forcer

to foresee to anticipate preacutevoir

to forget oublier

to freeze congeler

to freeze geler

to frighten to scare effrayer

to gain weight grossir

to get a divorce divorcer

to get along srsquoentendre

to get dressed srsquohabiller

to get up se lever

to give donner

to give back to return rendre

to give up to renounce renoncer

to go aller

to go down to take down descendre

to go out sortir

to go to bed se coucher

to grow (up) grandir

to grow old vieillir

to hang pendre

to hate deacutetester

to have avoir

to have fun srsquoamuser

to have to to must to owe devoir

to hear entendre

to hesitate heacutesiter

to hide cacher

to hold tenir

265Appendix B English-to-French Verb Glossary

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to hope espeacuterer

to hurry se deacutepecirccher

to hurt to wound blesser

to inflict to impose infliger

to influence influencer

to invite inviter

to judge juger

to kiss to embrace embrasser

to know connaicirctre

to know savoir

to laugh rire

to lead mener

to learn apprendre

to leave partir

to leave to abandon quitter

to leave srsquoen aller

to leave again repartir

to lie mentir

to like to love aimer

to listen eacutecouter

to live (somewhere) to reside habiter

to look for chercher

to lose weight maigrir

to lose to waste perdre

to manage se deacutebrouiller

to meet rencontrer

to melt fondre

to mix meacutelanger

to move bouger

to move to change residence deacutemeacutenager

to mow tondre

to notice srsquoapercevoir de

to obey obeacuteir agrave

to oblige someone to do something to forceobliger

to obtain obtenir

to offer offrir

to open ouvrir

to pay payer

to pay a visit to someone (to visit someone)rendre visite agrave quelqursquoun

to peel peler

to perceive to notice apercevoir

to pick to gather cueillir

to pierce percer

to pinch pincer

to place placer

to play jouer

to polish polir

to predict preacutedire

to prefer preacutefeacuterer

to prepare preacuteparer

to present to introduce preacutesenter

to prolong prolonger

to promise promettre

to pronounce prononcer

to propose proposer

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to protect proteacuteger

to punish punir

to put to place mettre

to put back remettre

to put in order to arrange ranger

to put on makeup se maquiller

to raise to lift lever

to react reacuteagir

to read lire

to realize se rendre compte de

to receive recevoir

to recover recouvrer

to reflect to think reacutefleacutechir agrave

to refuse refuser

to reinforce renforcer

to reject rejeter

to rejoice to delight reacutejouir

to relieve soulager

to remember se rappeler

to remember se souvenir de

to repeat to say again redire

to repeat reacutepeacuteter

to replace remplacer

to require to demand exiger

to reread relire

to rest se reposer

to retain retenir

to rewrite reacutecrire

to rock to cradle bercer

to say dire

to see voir

to see again revoir

to sell vendre

to send envoyer

to serve servir

to share partager

to shave se raser

to sign to autograph deacutedicacer

to sing chanter

to sleep dormir

to smile sourire

to speak parler

to spell eacutepeler

to spend to pass passer

to start again recommencer

to stop oneself srsquoarrecircter

to study eacutetudier

to subject to subjugate soumettre

to succeed reacuteussir agrave

to suffer souffrir

to suggest suggeacuterer

to surprise surprendre

to sweep balayer

to swim nager

to swing balancer

to take prendre

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to take back to take away remporter

to take someone along emmener

to take someone back remmener

to take something along emporter

to take (up) again to continue reprendre

to take a walk to stroll se promener

to tan bronzer

to teach enseigner

to think penser

to threaten menacer

to throw jeter

to transmit transmettre

to travel voyager

to try essayer

to turn pale pacirclir

to understand comprendre

to undertake entreprendre

to unite unir

to unite to gather to assemble reacuteunir

to use employer

to visit (a place) visiter

to wait for attendre

to wake up se reacuteveiller

to walk marcher

to want vouloir

to wash (se) laver

to watch regarder

to wear to carry porter

to weigh peser

to welcome to greet accueillir

to wipe essuyer

to wonder se demander

to work travailler

to write eacutecrire

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Appendix C

Conjugating Common Irregular Verbs

This appendix contains the most common irregular French verbs Just remember the sixpronouns (je tu ilelleon nous vous and ilselles) and voila You can use any verb in

its correct form

Acheter (to buy)Present Participle achetant Imperative achegravete achetons achetez

Present Indicative achegravete achegravetes achegravete achetons achetez achegravetent

Passeacute Composeacute ai acheteacute as acheteacute a acheteacute avons acheteacute avez acheteacute ont acheteacute

Imperfect achetais achetais achetait achetions achetiez achetaient

Pluperfect avais acheteacute avais acheteacute avait acheteacute avions acheteacute aviez acheteacute avaient acheteacute

Future achegraveterai achegraveteras achegravetera achegraveterons achegraveterez achegraveteront

Fut Perfect aurai acheteacute auras acheteacute aura acheteacute aurons acheteacute aurez acheteacute aurontacheteacute

Conditional achegraveterais achegraveterais achegraveterait achegraveterions achegraveteriez achegraveteraient

Past Cond aurais acheteacute aurais acheteacute aurait acheteacute aurions acheteacute auriez acheteacuteauraient acheteacute

Subjunctive achegravete achegravetes achegravete achetions achetiez achegravetent

Past Subj aie acheteacute aies acheteacute ait acheteacute ayons acheteacute ayez acheteacute aient acheteacute

Verbs conjugated like acheter include congeler (to freeze) deacuteceler (to detect) geler (to freeze)lever (to raise) se lever (to get up) mener (to lead) and all its compounds and peler (to peel)

Aller (to go)Present Participle allant Imperative va allons allez

Present Indicative vais vas va allons allez vont

Passeacute Composeacute suis alleacute(e) es alleacute(e) est alleacute(e) sommes alleacutes(es) ecirctes alleacute(e)(s)(es)sont alleacutes(es)

Imperfect allais allais allait allions alliez allaient

Pluperfect eacutetais alleacute(e) eacutetais alleacute(e) eacutetait alleacute(e) eacutetions alleacutes(es) eacutetiez alleacute(e)(s)(es)eacutetaient alleacutes(es)

Future irai iras ira irons irez iront

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Fut Perfect serai alleacute(e) seras alleacute(e) sera alleacute(e) serons alleacutes(es) serezalleacute(e)(s)(es) seront alleacutes(es)

Conditional irais irais irait irions iriez iraient

Past Cond serais alleacute(e) serais alleacute(e) serait alleacute(e) serions alleacutes(es) seriezalleacute(e)(s)(es) seraient alleacutes(es)

Subjunctive aille ailles aille allions alliez aillent

Past Subj sois alleacute(e) sois alleacute(e) soit alleacute(e) soyons alleacutes(es) vous soyezalleacute(e)(s)(es) soient alleacutes (es)

Appeler (to call)Present Participle appelant Imperative appelle appelons appelez

Present Indicative appelle appelles appelle appelons appelez appellent

Passeacute Composeacute ai appeleacute as appeleacute a appeleacute avons appeleacute avez appeleacute ont appeleacute

Imperfect appelais appelais appelait appelions appeliez appelaient

Pluperfect avais appeleacute avais appeleacute avait appeleacute avions appeleacute aviez appeleacuteavaient appeleacute

Future appellerai appelleras appellera appellerons appellerez appelleront

Fut Perfect aurai appeleacute auras appeleacute aura appeleacute aurons appeleacute aurez appeleacuteauront appeleacute

Conditional appellerais appellerais appellerait appellerions appelleriez appelleraient

Past Cond aurais appeleacute aurais appeleacute aurait appeleacute aurions appeleacute auriez appeleacuteauraient appeleacute

Subjunctive appelle appelles appelle appelions appeliez appellent

Past Subj aie appeleacute aies appeleacute ait appeleacute ayons appeleacute ayez appeleacute aient appeleacute

Verbs conjugated like appeler include eacutepeler (to spell) jeter (to throw) (se) rappeler(to remember) and rejeter (to reject to throw back) For jeter and rejeter double thett where you double the ll in appeler

Avoir (to have)Present Participle ayant Imperative aie ayons ayez

Present Indicative ai as a avons avez ont

Passeacute Composeacute ai eu as eu a eu avons eu avez eu ont eu

Imperfect avais avais avait avions aviez avaient

Pluperfect avais eu avais eu avait eu avions eu aviez eu avaient eu

Future aurai auras aura aurons aurez auront

Fut Perfect aurai eu auras eu aura eu aurons eu aurez eu auront eu

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Conditional aurais aurais aurait aurions auriez auraient

Past Cond aurais eu aurais eu aurait eu aurions eu auriez eu auraient eu

Subjunctive aie aies ait ayons ayez aient

Past Subj aie eu aies eu ait eu ayons eu ayez eu aient eu

Boire (to drink)Present Participle buvant Imperative bois buvons buvez

Present Indicative bois bois boit buvons buvez boivent

Passeacute Composeacute ai bu as bu a bu avons bu avez bu ont bu

Imperfect buvais buvais buvait buvions buviez buvaient

Pluperfect avais bu avais bu avait bu avions bu aviez bu avaient bu

Future boirai boiras boira boirons boirez boiront

Fut Perfect aurai bu auras bu aura bu aurons bu aurez bu auront bu

Conditional boirais boirais boirait boirions boiriez boiraient

Past Cond aurais bu aurais bu aurait bu aurions bu auriez bu auraient bu

Subjunctive boive boives boive buvions buviez boivent

Past Subj aie bu aies bu ait bu ayons bu ayez bu aient bu

Commencer (to begin)Present Participle commenccedilant Imperative commence commenccedilons commencez

Present Indicative commence commences commence commenccedilons commencezcommencent

Passeacute Composeacute ai commenceacute as commenceacute a commenceacute avons commenceacute avezcommenceacute ont commenceacute

Imperfect commenccedilais commenccedilais commenccedilait commencions commenciez commenccedilaient

Pluperfect avais commenceacute avais commenceacute avait commenceacute avions commenceacuteaviez commenceacute avaient commenceacute

Future commencerai commenceras commencera commencerons commencerezcommenceront

Fut Perfect aurai commenceacute auras commenceacute aura commenceacute aurons commenceacuteaurez commenceacute auront commenceacute

Conditional commencerais commencerais commencerait commencerions commenceriez commenceraient

Past Cond aurais commenceacute aurais commenceacute aurait commenceacute aurions commenceacuteauriez commenceacute auraient commenceacute

271Appendix C Conjugating Common Irregular Verbs

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Subjunctive commence commences commence commencions commenciez commencent

Past Subj aie commenceacute aies commenceacute ait commenceacute ayons commenceacute ayezcommenceacute aient commenceacute

Verbs conjugated like commencer include agacer (to irritate) annoncer (to announce)avancer (to advance) balancer (to swing) bercer (to cradle) deacutedicacer (to sign toautograph) deacutenoncer (to denounce) deacuteplacer (to transfer to move) divorcer (to getdivorced) effacer (to erase) (se) fiancer (to get engaged) forcer (to force) glacer(to freeze to chill) influencer (to influence) menacer (to threaten) percer (to pierce)pincer (to pinch) placer (to place) prononcer (to pronounce) recommencer (to startagain to resume) remplacer (to replace) renforcer (to reinforce) renoncer (to give up)and tracer (to trace)

Conduire (to drive)Present Participle conduisant Imperative conduis conduisons conduisez

Present Indicative conduis conduis conduit conduisons conduisez conduisent

Passeacute Composeacute ai conduit as conduit a conduit avons conduit avez conduit ontconduit

Imperfect conduisais conduisais conduisait conduisions conduisiez conduisaient

Pluperfect avais conduit avais conduit avait conduit avions conduit aviez conduitavaient conduit

Future conduirai conduiras conduira conduirons conduirez conduiront

Fut Perfect aurai conduit auras conduit aura conduit aurons conduit aurez conduitauront conduit

Conditional conduirais conduirais conduirait conduirions conduiriez conduiraient

Past Cond aurais conduit aurais conduit aurait conduit aurions conduit auriezconduit auraient conduit

Subjunctive conduise conduises conduise conduisions conduisiez conduisent

Past Subj aie conduit aies conduit ait conduit ayons conduit ayez conduit aientconduit

Verbs conjugated like conduire include construire (to build to construct) cuire (to cook)and nuire (to harm)

Connaicirctre (to know)Present Participle connaissant Imperative connais connaissons connaissez

Present Indicative connais connais connaicirct connaissons connaissez connaissent

Passeacute Composeacute ai connu as connu a connu avons connu avez connu ont connu

Imperfect connaissais connaissais connaissait connaissions connaissiez connaissaient

Pluperfect avais connu avais connu avait connu avions connu aviez connu avaientconnu

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Future connaicirctrai connaicirctras connaicirctra connaicirctrons connaicirctrez connaicirctront

Fut Perfect aurai connu auras connu aura connu aurons connu aurez connuauront connu

Conditional connaicirctrais connaicirctrais connaicirctrait connaicirctrions connaicirctriez connaicirc-traient

Past Cond aurais connu aurais connu aurait connu aurions connu auriez connuauraient connu

Subjunctive connaisse connaisses connaisse connaissions connaissiez connaissent

Past Subj aie connu aies connu ait connu ayons connu ayez connu aient connu

Verbs conjugated like connaicirctre include apparaicirctre (to appear to seem) disparaicirctre(to disappear) paraicirctre (to seem to appear) and reconnaicirctre (to recognize)

Craindre (to fear)Present Participle craignant Imperative crains craignons craignez

Present Indicative crains crains craint craignons craignez craignent

Passeacute Composeacute ai craint as craint a craint avons craint avez craint ont craint

Imperfect craignais craignais craignait craignions craigniez craignaient

Pluperfect avais craint avais craint avait craint avions craint aviez craint avaientcraint

Future craindrai craindras craindra craindrons craindrez craindront

Fut Perfect aurai craint auras craint aura craint aurons craint aurez craint aurontcraint

Conditional craindrais craindrais craindrait craindrions craindriez craindraient

Past Cond aurais craint aurais craint aurait craint aurions craint auriez craintauraient craint

Subjunctive craigne craignes craigne craignions craigniez craignent

Past Subj aie craint aies craint ait craint ayons craint ayez craint aient craint

Croire (to believe)Present Participle croyant Imperative crois croyons croyez

Present Indicative crois crois croit croyons croyez croient

Passeacute Composeacute ai cru as cru a cru avons cru avez cru ont cru

Imperfect croyais croyais croyait croyions croyiez croyaient

Pluperfect avais cru avais cru avait cru avions cru aviez cru avaient cru

Future croirai croiras croira croirons croirez croiront

Fut Perfect aurai cru auras cru aura cru aurons cru aurez cru auront cru

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Conditional croirais croirais croirait croirions croiriez croiraient

Past Cond aurais cru aurais cru aurait cru aurions cru auriez cru auraient cru

Subjunctive croie croies croie croyions croyiez croient

Past Subj aie cru aies cru ait cru ayons cru ayez cru aient cru

Devoir (to have to must)Present Participle devant Imperative dois devons devez

Present Indicative dois dois doit devons devez doivent

Passeacute Composeacute ai ducirc as ducirc a ducirc avons ducirc avez ducirc ont ducirc

Imperfect devais devais devait devions deviez devaient

Pluperfect avais ducirc avais ducirc avait ducirc avions ducirc aviez ducirc avaient ducirc

Future devrai devras devra devrons devrez devront

Fut Perfect aurai ducirc auras ducirc aura ducirc aurons ducirc aurez ducirc auront ducirc

Conditional devrais devrais devrait devrions devriez devraient

Past Cond aurais ducirc aurais ducirc aurait ducirc aurions ducirc auriez ducirc auraient ducirc

Subjunctive doive doives doive devions deviez doivent

Past Subj aie ducirc aies ducirc ait ducirc ayons ducirc ayez ducirc aient ducirc

Dire (to say)Present Participle disant Imperative dis disons dites

Present Indicative dis dis dit disons dites disent

Passeacute Composeacute ai dit as dit a dit avons dit avez dit ont dit

Imperfect disais disais disait disions disiez disaient

Pluperfect avais dit avais dit avait dit avions dit aviez dit avaient dit

Future dirai diras dira dirons direz diront

Fut Perfect aurai dit auras dit aura dit aurons dit aurez dit auront dit

Conditional dirais dirais dirait dirions diriez diraient

Past Cond aurais dit aurais dit aurait dit aurions dit auriez dit auraient dit

Subjunctive dise dises dise disions disiez disent

Past Subj aie dit aies dit ait dit ayons dit ayez dit aient dit

Verbs conjugated like dire include contredire (to contradict) interdire (to forbid)preacutedire (to predict) and redire (to repeat) The vous form of the present indicativeand the imperative ends in -disez For example vous contredisez vous interdisezand vous preacutedisez

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Eacutecrire (to write)Present Participle eacutecrivant Imperative eacutecris eacutecrivons eacutecrivez

Present Indicative eacutecris eacutecris eacutecrit eacutecrivons eacutecrivez eacutecrivent

Passeacute Composeacute ai eacutecrit as eacutecrit a eacutecrit avons eacutecrit avez eacutecrit ont eacutecrit

Imperfect eacutecrivais eacutecrivais eacutecrivait eacutecrivions eacutecriviez eacutecrivaient

Pluperfect avais eacutecrit avais eacutecrit avait eacutecrit avions eacutecrit aviez eacutecrit avaient eacutecrit

Future eacutecrirai eacutecriras eacutecrira eacutecrirons eacutecrirez eacutecriront

Fut Perfect aurai eacutecrit auras eacutecrit aura eacutecrit aurons eacutecrit aurez eacutecrit auront eacutecrit

Conditional eacutecrirais eacutecrirais eacutecrirait eacutecririons eacutecririez eacutecriraient

Past Cond aurais eacutecrit aurais eacutecrit aurait eacutecrit aurions eacutecrit auriez eacutecrit auraienteacutecrit

Subjunctive eacutecrive eacutecrives eacutecrive eacutecrivions eacutecriviez eacutecrivent

Past Subj aie eacutecrit aies eacutecrit ait eacutecrit ayons eacutecrit ayez eacutecrit aient eacutecrit

Verbs conjugated like eacutecrire include deacutecrire (to discribe) prescrire (to prescribe) proscrire (to banish to prohibit) and reacutecrire (to rewrite)

Espeacuterer (to hope)Present Participle espeacuterant Imperative espegravere espeacuterons espeacuterez

Present Indicative espegravere espegraveres espegravere espeacuterons espeacuterez espegraverent

Passeacute Composeacute ai espeacutereacute as espeacutereacute a espeacutereacute avons espeacutereacute avez espeacutereacute ont espeacutereacute

Imperfect espeacuterais espeacuterais espeacuterait espeacuterions espeacuteriez espeacuteraient

Pluperfect avais espeacutereacute avais espeacutereacute avait espeacutereacute avions espeacutereacute aviez espeacutereacuteavaient espeacutereacute

Future espeacutererai espeacutereras espeacuterera espeacutererons espeacutererez espeacutereront

Fut Perfect aurai espeacutereacute auras espeacutereacute aura espeacutereacute aurons espeacutereacute aurez espeacutereacuteauront espeacutereacute

Conditional espeacutererais espeacutererais espeacutererait espeacutererions espeacutereriez espeacutereraient

Past Cond aurais espeacutereacute aurais espeacutereacute aurait espeacutereacute aurions espeacutereacute auriez espeacutereacuteauraient espeacutereacute

Subjunctive espegravere espegraveres espegravere espeacuterions espeacuteriez espegraverent

Past Subj aie espeacutereacute aies espeacutereacute ait espeacutereacute ayons espeacutereacute ayez espeacutereacute aient espeacutereacute

Verbs that are conjugated like espeacuterer include ceacuteleacutebrer (to celebrate) exageacuterer(to exaggerate) (srsquo) inquieacuteter (to worry) preacutefeacuterer (to prefer) proteacuteger (to protect)reacutepeacuteter (to repeat) and suggeacuterer (to suggest) Note Espeacuterer preacutefeacuterer and reacutepeacuteterdonrsquot have a stem change in the future or conditional but the rest of these verbs doFor example the future and conditional of ceacuteleacutebrer is ceacutelegravebrerai(s)

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Essayer (to try)Present Participle essayant Imperative essaie essayons essayez

Present Indicative essaie essaies essaie essayons essayez essaient

Passeacute Composeacute ai essayeacute as essayeacute a essayeacute avons essayeacute avez essayeacute ont essayeacute

Imperfect essayais essayais essayait essayions essayiez essayaient

Pluperfect avais essayeacute avais essayeacute avait essayeacute avions essayeacute aviez essayeacuteavaient essayeacute

Future essaierai essaieras essaiera essaierons essaierez essaieront

Fut Perfect aurai essayeacute auras essayeacute aura essayeacute aurons essayeacute aurez essayeacuteauront essayeacute

Conditional essaierais essaierais essaierait essaierions essaieriez essaieraient

Past Cond aurais essayeacute aurais essayeacute aurait essayeacute aurions essayeacute auriez essayeacuteauraient essayeacute

Subjunctive essaie essaies essaie essayions essayiez essaient

Past Subj aie essayeacute aies essayeacute ait essayeacute ayons essayeacute ayez essayeacute aient essayeacute

Verbs conjugated like essayer include balayer (to sweep) effrayer (to frighten)employer (to use) ennuyer (to bother) (srsquo) ennuyer (to be bored) envoyer (to send) essuyer (to wipe) nettoyer (to clean) payer (to pay) tutoyer (to addresssomeone in the tu form) and vouvoyer (to address someone in the vous form)The verb envoyer in the future and conditional stem changes to enverr-

Ecirctre (to be)Present Participle eacutetant Imperative sois soyons soyez

Present Indicative suis es est sommes ecirctes sont

Passeacute Composeacute ai eacuteteacute as eacuteteacute a eacuteteacute avons eacuteteacute avez eacuteteacute ont eacuteteacute

Imperfect eacutetais eacutetais eacutetait eacutetions eacutetiez eacutetaient

Pluperfect avais eacuteteacute avais eacuteteacute avait eacuteteacute avions eacuteteacute aviez eacuteteacute avaient eacuteteacute

Future serai seras sera serons serez seront

Fut Perfect aurai eacuteteacute auras eacuteteacute aura eacuteteacute aurons eacuteteacute aurez eacuteteacute auront eacuteteacute

Conditional serais serais serait serions seriez seraient

Past Cond aurais eacuteteacute aurais eacuteteacute aurait eacuteteacute aurions eacuteteacute auriez eacuteteacute auraient eacuteteacute

Subjunctive sois sois soit soyons soyez soient

Past Subj aie eacuteteacute aies eacuteteacute ait eacuteteacute ayons eacuteteacute ayez eacuteteacute aient eacuteteacute

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Faire (to do to make)Present Participle faisant Imperative fais faisons faites

Present Indicative fais fais fait faisons faites font

Passeacute Composeacute ai fait as fait a fait avons fait avez fait ont fait

Imperfect faisais faisais faisait faisions faisiez faisaient

Pluperfect avais fait avais fait avait fait avions fait aviez fait avaient fait

Future ferai feras fera ferons ferez feront

Fut Perfect aurai fait auras fait aura fait aurons fait aurez fait auront fait

Conditional ferais ferais ferait ferions feriez feraient

Past Cond aurais fait aurais fait aurait fait aurions fait auriez fait auraient fait

Subjunctive fasse fasses fasse fassions fassiez fassent

Past Subj aie fait aies fait ait fait ayons fait ayez fait aient fait

Lire (to read)Present Participle lisant Imperative lis lisons lisez

Present Indicative lis lis lit lisons lisez lisent

Passeacute Composeacute ai lu as lu a lu avons lu avez lu ont lu

Imperfect lisais lisais lisait lisions lisiez lisaient

Pluperfect avais lu avais lu avait lu avions lu aviez lu avaient lu

Future lirai liras lira lirons lirez liront

Fut Perfect aurai lu auras lu aura lu aurons lu aurez lu auront lu

Conditional lirais lirais lirait lirions liriez liraient

Past Cond aurais lu aurais lu aurait lu aurions lu auriez lu auraient lu

Subjunctive lise lises lise lisions lisiez lisent

Past Subj aie lu aies lu ait lu ayons lu ayez lu aient lu

Verbs conjugated like lire include eacutelire (to elect) and relire (to reread)

Mettre (to put to put on to place)Present Participle mettant Imperative mets mettons mettez

Present Indicative mets mets met mettons mettez mettent

Passeacute Composeacute ai mis as mis a mis avons mis avez mis ont mis

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Imperfect mettais mettais mettait mettions mettiez mettaient

Pluperfect avais mis avais mis avait mis avions mis aviez mis avaient mis

Future mettrai mettras mettra mettrons mettrez mettront

Fut Perfect aurai mis auras mis aura mis aurons mis aurez mis auront mis

Conditional mettrais mettrais mettrait mettrions mettriez mettraient

Past Cond aurais mis aurais mis aurait mis aurions mis auriez mis auraient mis

Subjunctive mette mettes mette mettions mettiez mettent

Past Subj aie mis aies mis ait mis ayons mis ayez mis aient mis

Verbs conjugated like mettre include admettre (to admit) commettre (to commit)compromettre (to compromise) promettre (to promise) remettre (to put somethingon again to put something back) soumettre (to submit) and transmettre (to transmit)

Ouvrir (to open)Present Participle ouvrant Imperative ouvre ouvrons ouvrez

Present Indicative ouvre ouvres ouvre ouvrons ouvrez ouvrent

Passeacute Composeacute ai ouvert as ouvert a ouvert avons ouvert avez ouvert ont ouvert

Imperfect ouvrais ouvrais ouvrait ouvrions ouvriez ouvraient

Pluperfect avais ouvert avais ouvert avait ouvert avions ouvert aviez ouvertavaient ouvert

Future ouvrirai ouvriras ouvrira ouvrirons ouvrirez ouvriront

Fut Perfect aurai ouvert auras ouvert aura ouvert aurons ouvert aurez ouvertauront ouvert

Conditional ouvrirais ouvrirais ouvrirait ouvririons ouvririez ouvriraient

Past Cond aurais ouvert aurais ouvert aurait ouvert aurions ouvert auriez ouvertauraient ouvert

Subjunctive ouvre ouvres ouvre ouvrions ouvriez ouvrent

Past Subj aie ouvert aies ouvert ait ouvert ayons ouvert ayez ouvert aient ouvert

Verbs conjugated like ouvrir include accueillir (to welcome) couvrir (to cover) cueillir(to pick to gather) deacutecouvrir (to discover) offrir (to offer) recouvrer (to recover) andsouffrir (to suffer)

Partir (to leave)Present Participle partant Imperative pars partons partez

Present Indicative pars pars part partons partez partent

Passeacute Composeacute suis parti(e) es parti(e) est parti(e) sommes partis(es) ecirctesparti(s)(e)(es) sont partis(es)

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 278

Imperfect partais partais partait partions partiez partaient

Pluperfect eacutetais parti(e) eacutetais parti(e) eacutetait parti(e) eacutetions partis(es) eacutetiezparti(s)(e)(es) eacutetaient partis(es)

Future partirai partiras partira partirons partirez partiront

Fut Perfect serai parti(e) seras parti(e) sera parti(e) serons partis(es) serezparti(s)(e)(es) seront partis(es)

Conditional partirais partirais partirait partirions partiriez partiraient

Past Cond serais parti(e) serais parti(e) serait parti(e) serions partis(es) seriezparti(s)(e)(es) seraient partis(es)

Subjunctive parte partes parte partions partiez partent

Past Subj sois parti(e) sois parti(e) soit parti(e) soyons partis(es) soyezparti(s)(e)(es) soient partis(es)

Verbs conjugated like partir include consentir (to consent) dormir (to sleep)srsquoendormir (to fall asleep) mentir (to lie) repartir (to leave again) ressentir(to feel) se sentir (to feel as in well or unwell) sentir (to smell to feel to taste)servir (to serve) and sortir (to go out) These verbs are conjugated with avoir

Pouvoir (to be able to)Present Participle pouvant Imperative No imperative form

Present peux peux peut pouvons pouvez peuvent

Passeacute Composeacute ai pu as pu a pu avons pu avez pu ont pu

Imperfect pouvais pouvais pouvait pouvions pouviez pouvaient

Pluperfect avais pu avais pu avait pu avions pu aviez pu avaient pu

Future pourrai pourras pourra pourrons pourrez pourront

Fut Perfect aurai pu auras pu aura pu aurons pu aurez pu auront pu

Conditional pourrais pourrais pourrait pourrions pourriez pourraient

Past Cond aurais pu aurais pu aurait pu aurions pu auriez pu auraient pu

Subjunctive puisse puisses puisse puissions puissiez puissent

Past Subj aie pu aies pu ait pu ayons pu ayez pu aient pu

Prendre (to take)Present Participle prenant Imperative prends prenons prenez

Present Indicative prends prends prend prenons prenez prennent

Passeacute Composeacute ai pris as pris a pris avons pris avez pris ont pris

Imperfect prenais prenais prenait prenions preniez prenaient

Pluperfect avais pris avais pris avait pris avions pris aviez pris avaient pris

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 279

Future prendrai prendras prendra prendrons prendrez prendront

Fut Perfect aurai pris auras pris aura pris aurons pris aurez pris auront pris

Conditional prendrais prendrais prendrait prendrions prendriez prendraient

Past Cond aurais pris aurais pris aurait pris aurions pris auriez pris auraient pris

Subjunctive prenne prennes prenne prenions preniez prennent

Past Subj aie pris aies pris ait pris ayons pris ayez pris aient pris

Verbs conjugated like prendre include apprendre (to learn) comprendre (to under-stand) entreprendre (to undertake) reprendre (to recapture) and surprendre(to surprise)

Recevoir (to receive)Present Participle recevant Imperative reccedilois recevons recevez

Present Indicative reccedilois reccedilois reccediloit recevons recevez reccediloivent

Passeacute Composeacute ai reccedilu as reccedilu a reccedilu avons reccedilu avez reccedilu ont reccedilu

Imperfect recevais recevais recevait recevions receviez recevaient

Pluperfect avais reccedilu avais reccedilu avait reccedilu avions reccedilu aviez reccedilu avaient reccedilu

Future recevrai recevras recevra recevrons recevrez recevront

Fut Perfect aurai reccedilu auras reccedilu aura reccedilu aurons reccedilu aurez reccedilu auront reccedilu

Conditional recevrais recevrais recevrait recevrions recevriez recevraient

Past Cond aurais reccedilu aurais reccedilu aurait reccedilu aurions reccedilu auriez reccedilu auraient reccedilu

Subjunctive reccediloive reccediloives reccediloive recevions receviez reccediloivent

Past Subj aie reccedilu aies reccedilu ait reccedilu ayons reccedilu ayez reccedilu aient reccedilu

Verbs conjugated like recevoir include apercevoir (to perceive to notice) concevoir(to conceive) and deacutecevoir (to disappoint)

Rire (to laugh)Present Participle riant Imperative ris rions riez

Present Indicative ris ris rit rions riez rient

Passeacute Composeacute ai ri as ri a ri avons ri avez ri ont ri

Imperfect riais riais riait riions riiez riaient

Pluperfect avais ri avais ri avait ri avions ri aviez ri avaient ri

Future rirai riras rira rirons rirez riront

Fut Perfect aurai ri auras ri aura ri aurons ri aurez ri auront ri

Conditional rirais rirais rirait ririons ririez riraient

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 280

Past Cond aurais ri aurais ri aurait ri aurions ri auriez ri auraient ri

Subjunctive rie ries rie riions riiez rient

Past Subj aie ri aies ri ait ri ayons ri ayez ri aient ri

Verbs conjugated like rire include sourire (to smile)

Savoir (to know)Present Participle sachant Imperative sache sachons sachez

Present Indicative sais sais sait savons savez savent

Passeacute Composeacute ai su as su a su avons su avez su ont su

Imperfect savais savais savait savions saviez savaient

Pluperfect avais su avais su avait su avions su aviez su avaient su

Future saurai sauras saura saurons saurez sauront

Fut Perfect aurai su auras su aura su aurons su aurez su auront su

Conditional saurais saurais saurait saurions sauriez sauraient

Past Cond aurais su aurais su aurait su aurions su auriez su auraient su

Subjunctive sache saches sache sachions sachiez sachent

Past Subj aie su aies su ait su ayons su ayez su aient su

Venir (to come)Present Participle venant Imperative viens venons venez

Present Indicative viens viens vient venons venez viennent

Passeacute Composeacute suis venu(e) es venu(e) est venu(e) sommes venus(es) ecirctesvenu(s)(e)(es) ilselles sont venus(es)

Imperfect venais venais venait venions veniez venaient

Pluperfect eacutetais venu(e) eacutetais venu(e) eacutetait venu(e) eacutetions venus(es) eacutetiezvenu(s)(e)(es) eacutetaient venus(es)

Future viendrai viendras viendra viendrons viendrez viendront

Fut Perfect serai venu(e) seras venu(e) sera venu(e) serons venus(es) serezvenu(s)(e)(es) seront venus(es)

Conditional viendrais viendrais viendrait viendrions viendriez viendraient

Past Cond serais venu(e) serais venu(e) serait venu(e) serions venus(es) seriezvenu(s)(e)(es) seraient venus(es)

Subjunctive vienne viennes vienne venions veniez viennent

Past Subj sois venu(e) sois venu(e) soit venu(e) soyons venus(es) soyezvenu(s)(e)(es) soient venus(es)

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 281

Verbs conjugated like venir include convenir (to be suitable) devenir (to become)intervenir (to intervene) parvenir (to reach to manage) revenir (to come back) sesouvenir (to remember) and survenir (to occur to arise)

Voir (to see)Present Participle voyant Imperative vois voyons voyez

Present Indicative vois vois voit voyons voyez voient

Passeacute Composeacute ai vu as vu a vu avons vu avez vu ont vu

Imperfect voyais voyais voyait voyions voyiez voyaient

Pluperfect avais vu avais vu avait vu avions vu aviez vu avaient vu

Future verrai verras verra verrons verrez verront

Fut Perfect aurai vu auras vu aura vu aurons vu aurez vu auront vu

Conditional verrais verrais verrait verrions verriez verraient

Past Cond aurais vu aurais vu aurait vu aurions vu auriez vu auraient vu

Subjunctive voie voies voie voyions voyiez voient

Past Subj aie vu aies vu ait vu ayons vu ayez vu aient vu

Verbs conjugated like voir include entrevoir (to catch a glimpse of) preacutevoir (to foresee)and revoir (to see again)

Vouloir (to want)Present Participle voulant Imperative veuille veuillons veuillez

Present Indicative veux veux veut voulons voulez veulent

Passeacute Composeacute ai voulu as voulu a voulu avons voulu avez voulu ont voulu

Imperfect voulais voulais voulait voulions vouliez voulaient

Pluperfect avais voulu avais voulu avait voulu avions voulu aviez voulu avaient voulu

Future voudrai voudras voudra voudrons voudrez voudront

Fut Perfect aurai voulu auras voulu aura voulu aurons voulu aurez voulu aurontvoulu

Conditional voudrais voudrais voudrait voudrions voudriez voudraient

Past Cond aurais voulu aurais voulu aurait voulu aurions voulu auriez vouluauraient voulu

Subjunctive veuille veuilles veuille voulions vouliez veuillent

Past Subj aie voulu aies voulu ait voulu ayons voulu ayez voulu aient voulu

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 282

bull A bullagrave (preposition) 10 104acheter (to buy) 33 269adjectives present participle

as 70adverbs modifying actions

with 23ndash24aller agrave (to go to) 103ndash104

269ndash270aller (to go) 12 44 101

105ndash106 219amener (to bring someone

somewhere) 252answering questions 79ndash86 202appeler (to call) 270apporter (to bring something)

253arriver (to arrive) 184articles 63 104assister agrave (to attend) 253ndash254attending 254attendre (to wait for)

91 245 254auxiliary verbs 11 72ndash73 133

See also avoir (to have)ecirctre (to be)

avoir (to have)complete list of conjugations

270ndash271expressions formed with

113ndash115forming passeacute composeacute

133ndash134 139 144 146forming past conditional

201 202forming past subjunctive

237 238future perfect 184imperative 93imperfect 148passeacute simple 165past participle 135present 44present participle 70 73present subjunctive 220

bull B bullboire (to drink) 55 165 215 271boot verbs 215ndash217bringing someone versus

bringing something 252ndash253

bull C bullcarrying 253-cer endings 31ndash32 125chercher (to look for) 245commands forming

as imperative mood 12irregular verbs 92ndash94negative 94ndash95pronominal verbs 95ndash96regular verbs 89ndash91

commencer (to begin) 31 125271ndash272

compound tenses 13conditional mood 12 191ndash197conduire (to drive) 272conjugations See present tenseconnaicirctre (to know people

places things) 109 110250 272ndash273

could havewould have (pastconditional tense) 201ndash206

couldwould (present conditional tense) 191ndash197

craindre (to fear) 56 273croire (to believe) 56 157 216

273ndash274

bull D bullde (preposition) 10 102ndash103

104demander (to ask) 246ndash247deacutepenser (to spend money)

250devoir (to have to must)

12 46 157 217 274dire (to say) 54 166 274

bull E bulle (unaccented) 32ndash33eacute (e with accent aigu) 34 134eacutecouter (to listen to) 246eacutecrire (to write) 54 275elle elles (she it they) 14 80emmener (to take someone

along) 252emporter (to take something

along to take out food) 253en (some any from there of

them) 98

en (to while by upon etc) 71-er verb conjugations See also

parler (to speak)passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 18ndash20

espeacuterer (to hope) 34 275essayer (to try) 36 217 276est-ce que 79-eter and -eler endings as

spelling-change verbs 35ecirctre en train de 129ecirctre (to be)

complete list of conjugations276

future perfect 184imperative 93imperfect 121 126 148passeacute composeacute 140ndash142passeacute simple 165past conditional 201 202past subjunctive 237 238present 44present participle 70 73present subjunctive 220

eacutetudier (to study) 125 202 213

bull F bullfaire (to do to make) 12 44

115ndash117 219 277falloir (to have to) 157faux amis (misleadingly similar

verbs) 254finir (to finish)

future 174future perfect 184imperative 90imperfect 122passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 20present conditional 192present subjunctive 212

future perfect tense 183ndash188future tense

expressions used with179ndash180

forming 173ndash178immediate 101ndash102variations from English usage

178ndash179

Index

37_773883 bindexqxp 8206 137 PM Page 283

bull G bullgeographical locationsrsquo gender

106-ger endings 29ndash30 125gerunds 12 71ndash72

bull H bullhabitual actions See imperfect

tensehelping verbs 11 12 45ndash46hypothetical situations 12 130

191 196ndash197

bull I bullidiomatic pronominal verbs

65ndash67il est (it is ) 11il faut (it is ) 11il ils (he it they) 14 80imperative mood 12 See also

commands formingimperfect tense See also past

tensecommon expressions 127compared to passeacute composeacute

153ndash159definition 121in hypothetical sentences

203 204irregular verbs 123ndash126regular verbs 121ndash123using 126ndash130

impersonal verbs 11indicative mood 12indirect discourse 197infinitive mood 12 83ndash84 85infinitives

endings for 17immediate future tense

101ndash102immediate past tense 102negative 85ndash86

interrupted actions 129intransitive verbs 8ndash9 245

246ndash247inversion of subject and verb

(interrogatory) 79ndash83-ir verb conjugations See also

finir (to finish)irregular -er-like forms 49ndash50irregular ldquopseudordquo forms

47ndash48

irregular stems 50ndash51passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 20ndash21

irregular verbs See also specifictenses specific verbs

commonly used 43ndash44definition 8future 177ndash178imperative 92ndash94miscellaneous 55ndash57passeacute composeacute 135ndash138passeacute simple 164ndash167present conditional 194ndash195present subjunctive 218ndash220useful groupings 47ndash55

it is (il est and il faut) 11

bull J bullje (I) 13jeter (to throw) 35jouer (to play) 111ndash112 251

bull K bullknowing 250ndash251

bull L bullla (herit) 97laisser (to leave alone to leave

something behind or toallow) 12 251

laver (to wash something orsomeone) 62

le (himit) 97leading 252leaving 251les (them to them) 97leur (to them) 97linking verbs 11lire (to read) 54 92 277lui (to himher) 97ldquolyrdquo words See adverbs

bull M bullmanger (to eat) 30 125me (me to me) 97mener (to lead) 252mettre (to put to place)

53 277ndash278

bull N bullne pas placement of 83ndash84

85ndash86 102 186 202negative

future perfect 185of infinitives 85ndash86by inversion 85passeacute composeacute 147ndash148past conditional 202responding in 83ndash84

nrsquoest-ce pas 79nouns gerunds and participles

70 71nous (we us to us) 90 97

bull O bullobeacuteir (to obey) 247on (one) 14 80orders requests directives

See commands formingouvrir (to open) 49 278

bull P bullparler (to speak)

future 174imperative 90imperfect 122passeacute anteacuterieur 168passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 18present conditional 192present subjunctive 212

participles as adjectives 12partir (to leave)

complete list of conjugations278ndash279

examples 251passeacute anteacuterieur 168passeacute composeacute 142past conditional 202past subjunctive 238present 48

passeacute anteacuterieur 167ndash168passeacute composeacute

agreement of past participle138ndash140 142

compared to imperfect153ndash159

forming 133ndash138forming with either avoir or

ecirctre 146ndash147

forming with ecirctre 140ndash142forming with pronominal

verbs 143ndash145interrogatorial inversion 82making negative 147ndash148when to use 133

passeacute simple 163ndash167passer (to spend time doing

or to take an exam) 250past conditional tense 201ndash206past participle

agreement with object138ndash140

forming 133ndash137forming passeacute simple from

164ndash166for past conditional 201ndash202

past subjunctive tense 237ndash240past tense See also imperfect

tense passeacute composeacuteimmediate 102ndash103passeacute anteacuterieur 167ndash168passeacute simple 163ndash167past conditional 201ndash206pluperfect 133 148 148ndash149

payer (to pay) 246penser (to think of to think

about) 253ndash254perfect subjunctive tense 237permettre (to allow) 247personal mood verbs 12playing games versus

instruments 251pluperfect tense 133 148

148ndash149 203 204porter (to wear to carry

something) 253pouvoir (to be able to) 12 46

157 219 279prendre (to take) 52 92 215

279ndash280prepositions

articles with 10 104with avoir (to have) 114with faire (to do to make)

115ndash117with jouer (to play) 111ndash112used for going and coming 106

present conditional tense191ndash197

present participle 69ndash71 72ndash73present subjunctive tense

compared to past subjunctive239ndash240

considering indefinitedoubtful or subjectiveantecedents 231ndash232

criteria for using 223expressing condition time

concession andconsequence 229ndash231

expressing doubt oruncertainty 227ndash228

expressing emotion orjudgment 225ndash227

expressing opinion necessity and possibility228ndash229

expressing will wishpreference and command224ndash225

idiomatic expressions andcommands 232ndash233

irregular verbs 218ndash220regular irregular verbs

213ndash214regular verbs 211ndash213stem change verbs 215ndash217

present tense-er verb conjugations 18ndash20in hypothetical sentences

203 204-ir verb conjugations 20ndash21-re verb conjugations 21ndash23varieties of meaning 17

pronominal verbsdefinition 8 61idiomatic 65ndash67immediate future 101in immediate past tense

102ndash103imperative 95ndash96imperfect 122interrogatorial inversion

81ndash82matching subject 72ndash73passeacute composeacute 143ndash145past subjunctive 237 238placement of ne pas

83ndash84 95reciprocal 64ndash65reflexive 61ndash63

pronouns 13 96ndash97 97138ndash139 143 144ndash145

bull Q bullquestions asking and

answering 79ndash86 202quitter (to leave a place or

person) 251

bull R bullramener (to bring someone

back) 252rapporter (to bring something

back) 253-re verb conjugations See also

vendre (to sell)irregular forms 51ndash52 54ndash55passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 21ndash23

recevoir (to receive) 56 216 280

reciprocal pronominal verbs64ndash65

reciprocal verbs 8reflexive pronominal verbs

61ndash63reflexive pronouns 61ndash62reflexive verbs 8regarder (to look at to watch)

246regret missed opportunity

expressing 201 203regular verbs See also specific

tenses specific verbsdefinition 7future 173ndash174gerunds 71ndash72imperative 89ndash91passeacute simple 164past participle 73ndash74present 17ndash25present conditional 191ndash194present participle 69ndash70present subjunctive 211ndash213

213ndash214remmener (to take someone

back) 252remporter (to take back or to

take away) 253rendre (to return something)

252rendre visite agrave (to pay a

visit to) 249rentrer (to return home) 252reacutepondre (to answer) 247requests directives orders

See commands formingretourner (to return) 252returning home returning

something 252revenir (to come back) 252rire (to laugh) 280ndash281

285Index

bull S bullsrsquo and se reflexive verbs 61ndash63savoir (to know facts how to

do something) 281examples 250imperative 93imperfect versus passeacute

composeacute 157present 110present participle 70present subjunctive 219

se coucher (to go to bed) 143se laver (to wash oneself)

62 143ndash144se lever (to get up) 95 202 238se promener (to take a walk

a stroll) 122se reacuteveiller (to wake up) 185second person pronouns 13semi-auxiliary verbs 12sentences forming

with helping verbs plusinfinitives 46ndash47

with subject verb andadverb 24ndash25 38ndash39

srsquohabiller (to dress oneselfto get dressed) 62 95

si (if)with imperfect 130 196ndash197

203 204for past conditional 203ndash206with pluperfect 148 203 204with present 203 204for present conditional

196ndash197simultaneity expressing 129spelling-change verbs

-cer endings 31ndash32definition 7 29e as mute or silent 32ndash33eacute in second to last

syllable 34-eter and -eler endings 35future 175ndash176-ger endings 29ndash30 125

present conditional 193ndash194singular and plural 13when to use 13-yer endings 36ndash37 193 217

spending time versus money250

stem change verbs presentsubjunctive 215ndash217

subject-verb inversion(interrogatory) 79ndash83

subjunctive mood See alsopresent subjunctive tense

definition 12past subjunctive tense

237ndash240suggestions and wishes

expressing 130 191195ndash196

bull T bulltaking someone versus taking

(back) something 252ndash253te (you to you) 97teacuteleacutephoner (to telephone

to call) 247tenses See also specific tenses

simple and compound 13thinking or thinking about

253ndash254third person pronouns 13transitive verbs 8ndash9 245

245ndash246tu (familiar you) 90

bull V bullvendre (to sell)

future 174imperfect 122passeacute composeacute 134passeacute simple 164present 22present conditional 192present subjunctive 212

venir de (to come back from)104

venir (to come) 281ndash282immediate future tense

102 105ndash106immediate past tense 102passeacute simple 167present 50present subjunctive 216

verbs See also irregular verbsclassifying 8ndash11ten most frequently

mistranslated 249ndash254

ten most frequently misusedas transitive or intransitive245ndash247

transitive and intransitive 8ndash9

types 7ndash8verbs English-to-French

glossary 263ndash268verbs French-to-English

glossary 257ndash262visiting places versus persons

249voir (to see) 56 238 282vouloir (to want to want to)

12 46 93 157 219 282vous (formal you to you)

90 97vowels separating with t 80

bull W bullwaiting for 254wishes and suggestions

bull Y bully (there in it) 98-yer endings 36ndash37 193 217

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38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 288

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38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 290

French Verbs For Dummies
- About the Author
- Dedication
- Authorrsquos Acknowledgments
- Contents at a Glance
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- - About This Book
  - Conventions Used in This Book
  - Foolish Assumptions
  - How This Book Is Organized
  - Icons Used in This Book
  - Where to Go from Here
  - - Part I Living in the Here and Now The Present Indicative
    - - Chapter 1 Verbs 101 The Lowdown on Verbs
      - Identifying the Four Main Verb Types
        
        Classifying Verbs
        
        
        Watching Your Mood
        
        Categorizing the Tenses
        
        Poring Over Pronouns
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 2 Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
        
        Classifying Regular Present-Tense Verbs
        
        Looking At -er Verbs
        
        Focusing On -ir Verbs
        
        Trying -re Verbs
        
        Modifying Actions with Adverbs
        
        Forming Sentences Word by Word
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 3 Knowing How to Handle Spelling-Change Verbs
        
        Taking a Stab at Spelling-Change Verbs
        
        Building Sentences Word by Word
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 4 Wrestling with Some Irregular Conjugations
        
        Conjugating Irregular Verbs
        
        Grouping Irregular Verbs
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 5 Reflecting on Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive Reciprocal and Idiomatic)
        
        Understanding Reflexive Verbs
        
        Looking At Reciprocal Verbs
        
        Attempting Idiomatic Verbs
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 6 Forming the Present Participle and the Gerund
        
        Introducing the Present Participle
        
        Using the Present Participle
        
        Forming the Gerund
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        Part II Using Verbs Correctly with Questions Commands and Such
        
        Chapter 7 Inquisitive Minds Want to Know Asking and Answering Questions
        
        Using Inversion to Ask Questions
        
        Responding in the Negative
        
        Forming the Negative with Inversion
        
        Making the Infinitive Negative
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 8 Telling People What to Do The Regular Irregular and Pronominal Commands
        
        Forming Commands with Regular Verbs
        
        Forming Commands with Irregular Verbs
        
        Creating the Negative Imperative
        
        Using Pronominal Verbs to Make Commands
        
        Adding Pronouns to Commands
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 9 Looking Forward and Back The Immediate Future and Past
        
        Creating the Immediate Future Tense
        
        Creating the Immediate Past Tense
        
        Going and Coming with Aller and Venir
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 10 Correctly Using Often Misused Verbs in Daily Conversation
        
        
        Identifying What to Play
        
        Keeping Avoir and Faire in Line
        
        Answer Key
        
        Part III Taking a Look Back The Past Tenses
        
        Chapter 11 No Tense Is Perfect The Imperfect Tense
        
        Making Regular Verbs Imperfect
        
        Forming the Imperfect with Irregular Verbs
        
        Using the Imperfect
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 12 Comprehending the Passeacute Composeacute and the Pluperfect Tenses
        
        Forming the Passeacute Composeacute
        
        Creating the Passeacute Composeacute with Ecirctre
        
        Flexible Verbs Using Either Avoir or Ecirctre
        
        Making the Passeacute Composeacute Negative
        
        Forming the Pluperfect
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 13 Contrasting the Imperfect with the Passeacute Composeacute
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 14 Deciphering the Literary Tenses The Passeacute Simple and Passeacute Anteacuterieur
        
        Creating the Passeacute Simple
        
        Creating the Passeacute Anteacuterieur
        
        Answer Key
        
        Part IV Looking Ahead The Future and the Conditional Tenses
        
        Chapter 15 Moving Forward with the Future Tense
        
        Forming the Future of Regular Verbs
        
        Forming the Future of Spelling-Change Verbs
        
        Forming the Future of Irregular Verbs
        
        Identifying the Differences between English and French when Using the Future Tense
        
        Expressing Yourself and Using References Future Style
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 16 Completing a Future Action with the Future Perfect
        
        Forming the Future Perfect
        
        Using the Future Perfect Correctly
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 17 Could-ing and Would-ing with the Present Conditional Tense
        
        Forming the Conditional
        
        Using the Conditional
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 18 Trying the Past Conditional Tense Could Have and Would Have
        
        Creating the Past Conditional
        
        Correctly Using the Past Conditional
        
        Answer Key
        
        Part V Considering Your Mood Subjunctive or Not
        
        Chapter 19 Creating the Present Subjunctive
        
        
        
        Looking At Stem Changers
        
        Eyeing the Irregulars
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 20 Knowing How to Use the Present Subjunctive
        
        
        Showing Emotion or Judgment
        
        Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty
        
        Showing Opinion Necessity and Possibility
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        Chapter 21 Forming and Using the Past Subjunctive
        
        Forming the Past Subjunctive
        
        Using the Past Subjunctive
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        Part VI The Part of Tens
        
        Chapter 22 Ten Verbs Used the French Way
        
        Attendre (To Wait For)
        
        Chercher (To Look For)
        
        Eacutecouter (To Listen To)
        
        Payer (To Pay)
        
        Regarder (To Look At To Watch)
        
        Demander (To Ask)
        
        Obeacuteir (To Obey)
        
        Permettre (To Allow)
        
        Reacutepondre (To Answer)
        
        Teacuteleacutephoner (To Telephone To Call)
        
        Chapter 23 Ten Most Frequently Mixed-Up Verbs
        
        Visiting a Place or Visiting a Person
        
        Spending Time or Spending Money
        
        
        Playing a Game or Playing an Instrument
        
        Leaving or Leaving Something Behind
        
        
        Leading Bringing or Taking Someone
        
        
        Thinking or Thinking About
        
        Waiting or Attending
        
        Part VII Appendixes
        
        Appendix A French-to-English Verb Glossary
        
        Appendix B English-to-French Verb Glossary
        
        Appendix C Conjugating Common Irregular Verbs
        
        Index

French VerbsFOR

DUMmIESpermil

French VerbsFOR

DUMmIESpermil

ISBN-13 978-0-471-77388-7

ISBN-10 0-471-77388-3

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1BRWQYQWIN

Indexer Anne Leach

Index283

Answer Key 58

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page x

Answer Key 108

Answer Key 118

Answer Key 131

xiTable of Contents

Answer Key 160

Answer Key 198

Index 283

Introduction

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 1

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 2

3Introduction

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 3

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 4

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 5

In this part

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 6

Chapter 1

Considering mood

Eyeing pronouns

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 7

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 8

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 9

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 10

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 11

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 12

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 13

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 14

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 15

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 16

Chapter 2

Including adverbs

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 17

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

parler (to speak)

adorer to adore

arriver to arrive

chanter to sing

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 18

danser to dance

demander to ask

enseigner to teach

jouer to play

marcher to walk

rencontrer to meet

tomber to fall

travailler to work

trouver to find

3 Le chœur _________________ (chanter)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 19

je -s nous -ssons

tu -s vous -ssez

finir (to finish)

bacirctir to build

choisir to choose

finir to finish

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 20

punir to punish

remplir to fill

11 Il _________________ (grossir)

12 Nous _________________ (applaudir)

17 Vous _________________ (pacirclir)

20 Tu _________________ (reacuteussir)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 21

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

vendre (to sell)

entendre to hear

fondre to melt

pendre to hang

Q Je _________________ (attendre)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 22

assez enough

beaucoup a lot

bien well

facilement easily

lentement slowly

mal poorly badly

parfois at times

peu little

rarement rarely

(continued)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 23

souvent often

toujours always

trop too much

vite quickly

vraiment truly

37 Tu __________________________________ (You hear well)

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 24

__________________________________________________________________________________

41 Iljouerbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

46 Nousmangerassez

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Jechoisirbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 25

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 26

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 27

06_773883 ch02qxp 8206 125 PM Page 28

Chapter 3

je -e nous -eons

tu -es vous -ez

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 29

manger (to eat)

changer to change

nager to swim

partager to share

plonger to dive

voyager to travel

2 Nous _________________ (plonger)

3 Ils _________________ (voyager)

4 Elle _________________ (changer)

5 Nous _________________ (nager)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 30

tu -es vous -ez

lancer to throw

menacer to threaten

placer to place

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 31

6 Nous _________________ (avancer)

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 32

acheter (to buy)

amener to bring

geler to freeze

lever to raise

peser to weigh

22 Nous _________________ (geler)

23 Tu _________________ (peser) 60 kilos

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 33

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 34

jeter (to throw)

appeler to call

rejeter to reject

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 35

essayer (to try)

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

envoyer to send

essuyer to wipe

nettoyer to clean

payer to pay

36 Elle _________________ (payer)

37 Nous _________________ (nettoyer)

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 36

40 Il _________________ (ennuyer) Luc

__________________________________________________________________________________

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 37

__________________________________________________________________________________

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 38

__________________________________________________________________________________

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 39

07_773883 ch03qxp 8206 125 PM Page 40

07_773883 ch03qxp 82306 201 PM Page 41

07_773883 ch03qxp 82306 201 PM Page 42

Chapter 4

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 43

avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

tu fais vous faites

1 Tu fait ton lit

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 44

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Tu vas bien

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 45

tu peux vous pouvez

tu veux vous voulez

devoir (to have to)

je dois nous devons

tu dois vous devez

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ (pouvoir) lire

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Je _________________ (pouvoir) venir

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 46

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Je _________________ (devoir) manger

__________________________________________________________________________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 47

partir (to leave)

tu pars vous partez

26 Vous _________________ (sentir) bon

27 Il _________________ (partir) demain

28 Tu _________________ (dormir) trop

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 48

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

ouvrir (to open)

couvrir to cover

offrir to offer

souffrir to suffer

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 49

tu -iens vous -enez

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

contenir to contain

devenir to become

obtenir to obtain

retenir to retain

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 50

Verb Translation

soutenir to support

tenir to hold

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 51

prendre (to take)

apprendre to learn

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 52

je -s nous -tons

tu -s vous -tez

tu mets vous mettez

admettre to admit

permettre to allow

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 53

lire (to read)

je lis nous lisons

tu lis vous lisez

dire (to say)

je dis nous disons

tu dis vous dites

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 54

boire (to drink)

Je bois nous buvons

Tu bois vous buvez

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 55

voir (to see)

je vois nous voyons

tu vois vous voyez

croire (to believe)

craindre (to fear)

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 56

__________________________________________________________________________________

69 Vous _________________ (voir) le pont

__________________________________________________________________________________

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 57

08_773883 ch04qxp 8206 126 PM Page 58

tu tiens vous tenez

08_773883 ch04qxp 82306 203 PM Page 59

08_773883 ch04qxp 82306 203 PM Page 60

Chapter 5

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 61

je me

tu te

ilelleon se

nous nous

vous vous

ilselles se

je lave nous lavons

tu laves vous lavez

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 62

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 63

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 64

6 Ils _________________ (se promettre)

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

__________________________________________________________________________________

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 65

11 We get along

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 I am going away

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 We are bored

__________________________________________________________________________________

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 66

__________________________________________________________________________________

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 67

l Je mrsquoen vais

m Ils se voient

09_773883 ch05qxp 8206 127 PM Page 68

Chapter 6

Practicing gerunds

(continued)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 69

Q Rire _________________

A Riant (laughing)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 70

1 Boire _________________

2 Mettre _________________

3 Savoir _________________

4 Tenir _________________

5 Ecrire _________________

6 Vouloir _________________

7 Craindre _________________

8 Faire _________________

9 Avoir _________________

10 Nager _________________

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 71

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 72

__________________________________________________________________________________

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 73

__________________________________________________________________________________

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 74

a buvant (drinking)

b mettant (putting)

c sachant (knowing)

d tenant (holding)

f voulant (wanting)

h faisant (doing)

i ayant (having)

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 75

10_773883 ch06qxp 8206 127 PM Page 76

11_773883 pt02qxp 72806 845 PM Page 77

11_773883 pt02qxp 72806 845 PM Page 78

Chapter 7

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 79

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 80

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 81

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 82

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 83

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 84

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 85

__________________________________________________________________________________

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 86

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 87

12_773883 ch07qxp 8206 128 PM Page 88

Chapter 8

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 89

Q Chanter (to sing) _________________ _________________ _________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 90

13 Vendre (to sell) _________________ _________________ _________________

15 Entendre (to hear) _________________ _________________ _________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 91

Tu lis Lis (Read)

17 Aller (to go) _________________ _________________ _________________

18 Sortir (to go out) _________________ _________________ _________________

19 Venir (to come) _________________ _________________ _________________

20 Dormir (to sleep) _________________ _________________ _________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 92

Tu as Aie (Have )

Tu es Sois (Be )

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 93

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Manger (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 94

__________________________________________________________________________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 95

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 96

me me to me me

you te to you te

us nous to us nous

ne + +

metese

nousvous

lelales

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 97

Q Letrsquos ask him

A Demandons-lui

36 Finish them

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Go there

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Open it

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Close it

__________________________________________________________________________________

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 98

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 99

L Parlons-leur

M Vas-y Or Allez-y

13_773883 ch08qxp 8206 129 PM Page 100

Chapter 9

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 101

1 Il mange

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Nous nageons

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Elle se maquille

__________________________________________________________________________________

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 102

__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Vous attendez

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Je pleure

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Elle se coiffe

__________________________________________________________________________________

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 103

agrave le au

agrave la agrave la

agrave les aux

de le du

de la de la

de lrsquo de lrsquo

de les des

le club (the club)

14_773883 ch09qxp 8206 129 PM Page 104

__________________________________________________________________________________

11 Nous _________________ le magasin

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ la pharmacie

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Papa _________________ la gare

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ la librairie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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17 Tu __________________________________ (allerSuisse)

20 Vous __________________________________ (venirChine)

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Chapter 10

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savoir (to know)

je sais nous savons

tu sais vous savez

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__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Vous _________________ conduire

__________________________________________________________________________________

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

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11 We are thirsty

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 They are right

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 You need to read

__________________________________________________________________________________

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14 Michael is lucky

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Her head hurts

__________________________________________________________________________________

tu fais vous faites

faire du ski to ski

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

18 I play tennis

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 We pay attention

__________________________________________________________________________________

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 117

k Nous avons soif

l Ils ont raison

r Je fais du tennis

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The Past Tenses

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In this part

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je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

Chapter 11

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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(continued)

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15 Tu _________________ (boire) du vin

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manger (to eat)

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ecirctre (to be)

23 Elle _________________ (lire)

24 Nous _________________ (travailler)

25 Je _________________ (nager)

28 Nous _________________ (rire)

29 Il _________________ (neiger)

30 Je _________________ (conduire)

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souvent often

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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P c

Q f

R a

S e

T d

U b

V c

W d

X a

Y b

17_773883 ch11qxp 8206 133 PM Page 132

Chapter 12

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 134

2 Elle _________________ (voyager)

3 Nous _________________ (choisir)

4 Ils _________________ (dicircner)

5 Je _________________ (eacutetudier)

9 Nous _________________ (travailler)

avoir (to have) eu

boire (to drink) bu

(continued)

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lire (to read) lu

savoir (to know) su

voir (to see) vu

dire (to say) dit

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rire (to laugh) ri

avoir (to have) eu

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11 Nous _________________ (conduire)

12 Ils _________________ (courir)

13 Je _________________ (lire)

14 Vous _________________ (souffrir)

15 Tu _________________ (sourire)

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 138

me me

te you

le himit

la herit

nous us

vous you

les them

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

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ARRIVERRENTRER

VENIR

ENTRER

RETOURNER

REVENIRDEVENIR

RESTERRESTERRESTER

ALLER

NAITRE = MOURIR

TOMBER

DESCENDRE

TOMBER

DESCENDREMONTER

MONTER

PASSER

SORTIRSORTIR

PARTIR

18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 141

partir (to leave)

33 Je _________________ (tomber)

37 Il _________________ (mourir) en 1969

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(continued)

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18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 144

me to me

te to you

lui to himto her

nous to us

vous to you

leur to them

44 Tu _____________________________________________ (srsquoamuser)

46 Il _____________________________________________ (se lever) tard

47 Vous _____________________________________________ (se parler)

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Q Ils sont sortis

__________________________________________________________________________________

64 Elle est partie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

avoir (to have)

tu avais vous aviez

ecirctre (to be)

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75 Elle _____________________________________________ (voyager)

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Chapter 13

entered)

(continued)

19_773883 ch13qxp 8206 134 PM Page 153

times)

19_773883 ch13qxp 8206 134 PM Page 154

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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F

I

N

O

P

Q

G

H

J

K

L

M

R

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Chapter 14

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 163

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 164

boire (to drink)

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

lire (to read) lu-

(continued)

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dire (to say)

dire (to say) d-

rire (to laugh) r-

voir (to see) v-

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venir (to come)

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parler (to speak)

partir (to leave)

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20_773883 ch14qxp 8206 134 PM Page 170

21_773883 pt04qxp 72806 845 PM Page 171

In this part

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Chapter 15

je -ai nous -ons

tu -as vous -ez

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 173

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

2 Il _________________ (apprendre)

3 Vous _________________ (comprendre)

4 Je _________________ (travailler)

5 Nous _________________ (partir)

7 Tu _________________ (lire)

8 Vous _________________ (boire)

10 Nous _________________ (arriver)

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22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 175

__________________________________________________________________________________

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 176

aller (to go) ir-

voir (to see) verr-

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 177

__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Tu _________________ (venir) ce soir

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Ils _________________ (voir) le film

__________________________________________________________________________________

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 178

__________________________________________________________________________________

demain tomorrow

plus tard later

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 179

__________________________________________________________________________________

22_773883 ch15qxp 8206 135 PM Page 180

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Chapter 16

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 183

avoir (to have)

tu auras vous aurez

ecirctre (to be)

tu seras vous serez

finir (to finish)

arriver (to arrive)

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 184

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Il _________________ (rentrer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 185

__________________________________________________________________________________

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 186

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

une fois que once

23_773883 ch16qxp 8206 135 PM Page 187

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Chapter 17

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 191

je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

1 Vous _________________ (voyager)

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24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 193

aller (to go) ir-

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 194

voir (to see) verr-

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 195

27 Could you help me __________________________________

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24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 197

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 198

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 199

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 200

Chapter 18

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 201

partir (to leave)

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 202

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 203

I wear a raincoat

wear your raincoat

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 204

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 205

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 206

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 207

25_773883 ch18qxp 8206 141 PM Page 208

Subjunctive or Not

26_773883 pt05qxp 72806 850 PM Page 209

In this part

26_773883 pt05qxp 72806 850 PM Page 210

Chapter 19

je -e nous -ions

tu -es vous -iez

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 211

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 212

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 213

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 214

je bois nous buvons

tu bois vous buvez

prendre (to take)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 215

venir (to come)

croire (to believe)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 216

essayer (to try)

Q Infinitive vivre

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 217

23 Infinitive venir

27 Infinitive boire

28 Infinitive voir

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 218

aller (to go)

savoir (to know)

vouloir (to want)

27_773883 ch19qxp 8206 140 PM Page 219

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

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Chapter 20

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(continued)

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 225

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28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 229

bien que although

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 230

quoique although

__________________________________________________________________________________

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 231

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 232

Soit (So be it)

Q Have them eat

36 Long live love

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Have him speak

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Have them drink

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Have her sing

__________________________________________________________________________________

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28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 234

K Vive lrsquoamour

L Qursquoil parle

N Qursquoelle sache

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 235

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 236

Chapter 21

29_773883 ch21qxp 8206 139 PM Page 237

voir (to see)

partir (to leave)

Q que tu _________________ (faire)

A que tu aies fait

1 que nous _________________ (venir)

3 que tu _________________ (tomber)

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30_773883 pt06qxp 72806 849 PM Page 243

In this part

30_773883 pt06qxp 72806 849 PM Page 244

Chapter 22

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Chapter 23

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Part VIIAppendixes

33_773883 pt07qxp 72806 850 PM Page 255

In this part

33_773883 pt07qxp 72806 850 PM Page 256

Appendix A

accuser to accuse

acheter to buy

admettre to admit

admirer to admire

adorer to adore

agir to act

aller to go

appeler to call

apprendre to learn

arranger to arrange

arriver to arrive

attacher to attach

avancer to advance

avoir to have

se baigner to bathe

balancer to swing

balayer to sweep

bacirctir to build

boire to drink

bouger to move

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 257

se brosser to brush

bronzer to tan

cacher to hide

changer to change

chanter to sing

choisir to choose

commencer to begin

commettre to commit

comparer to compare

conduire to drive

congeler to freeze

contenir to contain

corriger to correct

couper to cut

couvrir to cover

craindre to fear

croire to believe

cuire to cook

danser to dance

demander to ask

devenir to become

dire to say

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 258

disputer to argue

donner to give

dormir to sleep

effacer to erase

eacutelire to elect

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

enseigner to teach

entendre to hear

entrer to enter

envoyer to send

essayer to try

essuyer to wipe

ecirctre to be

faire to do to make

finir to finish

fondre to melt

geler to freeze

interdire to forbid

inviter to invite

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 259

jeter to throw

jouer to play

juger to judge

(se) laver to wash

se lever to get up

lire to read

manger to eat

marcher to walk

menacer to threaten

mener to lead

mentir to lie

nager to swim

nettoyer to clean

obtenir to obtain

offrir to offer

oublier to forget

ouvrir to open

parler to speak

partager to share

partir to leave

payer to pay

peler to peel

pendre to hang

penser to think

percer to pierce

peser to weigh

pincer to pinch

placer to place

plonger to dive

polir to polish

prendre to take

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 260

proposer to propose

punir to punish

se raser to shave

recevoir to receive

redire to repeat

refuser to refuse

regarder to watch

rejeter to reject

relire to reread

remplir to fill

rencontrer to meet

se reposer to rest

ressentir to feel

retenir to retain

recircver to dream

revoir to see again

rire to laugh

rougir to blush

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 261

savoir to know

servir to serve

sortir to go out

souffrir to suffer

soulager to relieve

sourire to smile

tenir to hold

tomber to fall

tondre to mow

trahir to betray

travailler to work

trouver to find

unir to unite

vendre to sell

venger to avenge

venir to come

voir to see

vouloir to want

voyager to travel

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 262

Appendix B

to accuse accuser

to act agir

to admire admirer

to admit admettre

to adore adorer

to advance avancer

to argue disputer

to arrange arranger

to arrive arriver

to ask demander

to attach attacher

to avenge venger

to bathe se baigner

to be ecirctre

to become devenir

to begin commencer

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 263

to believe croire

to betray trahir

to blush rougir

to bother ennuyer

to brush se brosser

to build bacirctir

to buy acheter

to call appeler

to change changer

to choose choisir

to clean nettoyer

to come venir

to commit commettre

to compare comparer

to contain contenir

to cook cuire

to correct corriger

to cover couvrir

to cut couper

to dance danser

to dive plonger

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 264

to do to make faire

to dream recircver

to drink boire

to drive conduire

to eat manger

to elect eacutelire

to enter entrer

to erase effacer

to fall tomber

to fear craindre

to feel ressentir

to feel se sentir

to fill remplir

to find trouver

to finish finir

to forbid interdire

to forget oublier

to freeze congeler

to freeze geler

to get up se lever

to give donner

to go aller

to go out sortir

to hang pendre

to have avoir

to hear entendre

to hide cacher

to hold tenir

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 265

to invite inviter

to judge juger

to know savoir

to laugh rire

to lead mener

to learn apprendre

to leave partir

to lie mentir

to meet rencontrer

to melt fondre

to move bouger

to mow tondre

to obtain obtenir

to offer offrir

to open ouvrir

to pay payer

to peel peler

to pierce percer

to pinch pincer

to place placer

to play jouer

to polish polir

to propose proposer

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 266

to punish punir

to read lire

to receive recevoir

to refuse refuser

to reject rejeter

to relieve soulager

to reread relire

to rest se reposer

to retain retenir

to say dire

to see voir

to see again revoir

to sell vendre

to send envoyer

to serve servir

to share partager

to shave se raser

to sing chanter

to sleep dormir

to smile sourire

to speak parler

to suffer souffrir

to sweep balayer

to swim nager

to swing balancer

to take prendre

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 267

to tan bronzer

to teach enseigner

to think penser

to threaten menacer

to throw jeter

to travel voyager

to try essayer

to unite unir

to use employer

to walk marcher

to want vouloir

to wash (se) laver

to watch regarder

to weigh peser

to wipe essuyer

to work travailler

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 268

Appendix C

its correct form

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 269

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 270

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 271

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 272

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 273

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 274

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 275

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 276

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 277

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 278

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 279

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273ndash274

12 46 157 217 274dire (to say) 54 166 274

them) 98

178ndash179

Index

191 196ndash197

47ndash48

53 277ndash278

157 219 279prendre (to take) 52 92 215

person) 251

285Index

0-7645-1771-6

0-7645-5093-4

0-7645-5307-0 0-7645-5331-3 dagger

0-7645-5295-3 0-7645-5232-5

0-7645-4074-2 0-7645-3758-X

0-7645-1664-7 0-7645-6924-4

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 287

0-7645-4084-X

0-7645-5228-7

0-7645-5455-7

TRAVEL

0-7645-5146-9 0-7645-5418-2

0-7645-5438-7 0-7645-5453-0

0-7645-4345-8 0-7645-5589-8

0-7645-6852-3 0-7645-5784-X

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 288

0-7645-5441-7

0-7645-5385-2

0-7645-6820-5 dagger 0-7645-2566-2

0-7645-5427-1

0-7645-5194-9 0-7645-4186-2

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 289

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 290

- About the Author
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- - About This Book
        
        Classifying Verbs
        
        
        Watching Your Mood
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Trying -re Verbs
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Forming the Gerund
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Using the Imperfect
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Payer (To Pay)
        
        
        Demander (To Ask)
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Part VII Appendixes
        
        
        
        
        Index

French VerbsFOR

DUMmIESpermil

French VerbsFOR

DUMmIESpermil

ISBN-13 978-0-471-77388-7

ISBN-10 0-471-77388-3

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1BRWQYQWIN

Indexer Anne Leach

Index283

Answer Key 58

02_773883 ftocqxp 8206 119 PM Page x

Answer Key 108

Answer Key 118

Answer Key 131

xiTable of Contents

Answer Key 160

Answer Key 198

Index 283

Introduction

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03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 2

3Introduction

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 3

03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 4

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 5

In this part

04_773883 pt01qxp 72806 844 PM Page 6

Chapter 1

Considering mood

Eyeing pronouns

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 7

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 8

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 9

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 10

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 11

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 12

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 13

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 14

05_773883 ch01qxp 8206 124 PM Page 15

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Chapter 2

Including adverbs

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je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

parler (to speak)

adorer to adore

arriver to arrive

chanter to sing

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danser to dance

demander to ask

enseigner to teach

jouer to play

marcher to walk

rencontrer to meet

tomber to fall

travailler to work

trouver to find

3 Le chœur _________________ (chanter)

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je -s nous -ssons

tu -s vous -ssez

finir (to finish)

bacirctir to build

choisir to choose

finir to finish

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punir to punish

remplir to fill

11 Il _________________ (grossir)

12 Nous _________________ (applaudir)

17 Vous _________________ (pacirclir)

20 Tu _________________ (reacuteussir)

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je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

vendre (to sell)

entendre to hear

fondre to melt

pendre to hang

Q Je _________________ (attendre)

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assez enough

beaucoup a lot

bien well

facilement easily

lentement slowly

mal poorly badly

parfois at times

peu little

rarement rarely

(continued)

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souvent often

toujours always

trop too much

vite quickly

vraiment truly

37 Tu __________________________________ (You hear well)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

41 Iljouerbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

46 Nousmangerassez

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Jechoisirbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 3

je -e nous -eons

tu -es vous -ez

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manger (to eat)

changer to change

nager to swim

partager to share

plonger to dive

voyager to travel

2 Nous _________________ (plonger)

3 Ils _________________ (voyager)

4 Elle _________________ (changer)

5 Nous _________________ (nager)

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tu -es vous -ez

lancer to throw

menacer to threaten

placer to place

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6 Nous _________________ (avancer)

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

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acheter (to buy)

amener to bring

geler to freeze

lever to raise

peser to weigh

22 Nous _________________ (geler)

23 Tu _________________ (peser) 60 kilos

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jeter (to throw)

appeler to call

rejeter to reject

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essayer (to try)

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

envoyer to send

essuyer to wipe

nettoyer to clean

payer to pay

36 Elle _________________ (payer)

37 Nous _________________ (nettoyer)

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40 Il _________________ (ennuyer) Luc

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 4

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

tu fais vous faites

1 Tu fait ton lit

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Tu vas bien

__________________________________________________________________________________

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tu peux vous pouvez

tu veux vous voulez

devoir (to have to)

je dois nous devons

tu dois vous devez

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ (pouvoir) lire

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Je _________________ (pouvoir) venir

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Je _________________ (devoir) manger

__________________________________________________________________________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

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partir (to leave)

tu pars vous partez

26 Vous _________________ (sentir) bon

27 Il _________________ (partir) demain

28 Tu _________________ (dormir) trop

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je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

ouvrir (to open)

couvrir to cover

offrir to offer

souffrir to suffer

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tu -iens vous -enez

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

contenir to contain

devenir to become

obtenir to obtain

retenir to retain

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Verb Translation

soutenir to support

tenir to hold

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

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prendre (to take)

apprendre to learn

__________________________________________________________________________________

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je -s nous -tons

tu -s vous -tez

tu mets vous mettez

admettre to admit

permettre to allow

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

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lire (to read)

je lis nous lisons

tu lis vous lisez

dire (to say)

je dis nous disons

tu dis vous dites

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boire (to drink)

Je bois nous buvons

Tu bois vous buvez

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voir (to see)

je vois nous voyons

tu vois vous voyez

croire (to believe)

craindre (to fear)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

69 Vous _________________ (voir) le pont

__________________________________________________________________________________

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tu tiens vous tenez

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Chapter 5

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je me

tu te

ilelleon se

nous nous

vous vous

ilselles se

je lave nous lavons

tu laves vous lavez

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6 Ils _________________ (se promettre)

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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11 We get along

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 I am going away

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 We are bored

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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l Je mrsquoen vais

m Ils se voient

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Chapter 6

Practicing gerunds

(continued)

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Q Rire _________________

A Riant (laughing)

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1 Boire _________________

2 Mettre _________________

3 Savoir _________________

4 Tenir _________________

5 Ecrire _________________

6 Vouloir _________________

7 Craindre _________________

8 Faire _________________

9 Avoir _________________

10 Nager _________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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a buvant (drinking)

b mettant (putting)

c sachant (knowing)

d tenant (holding)

f voulant (wanting)

h faisant (doing)

i ayant (having)

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Chapter 7

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 8

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Q Chanter (to sing) _________________ _________________ _________________

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13 Vendre (to sell) _________________ _________________ _________________

15 Entendre (to hear) _________________ _________________ _________________

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Tu lis Lis (Read)

17 Aller (to go) _________________ _________________ _________________

18 Sortir (to go out) _________________ _________________ _________________

19 Venir (to come) _________________ _________________ _________________

20 Dormir (to sleep) _________________ _________________ _________________

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Tu as Aie (Have )

Tu es Sois (Be )

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__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Manger (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

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me me to me me

you te to you te

us nous to us nous

ne + +

metese

nousvous

lelales

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Q Letrsquos ask him

A Demandons-lui

36 Finish them

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Go there

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Open it

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Close it

__________________________________________________________________________________

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L Parlons-leur

M Vas-y Or Allez-y

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Chapter 9

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

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1 Il mange

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Nous nageons

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Elle se maquille

__________________________________________________________________________________

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

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__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Vous attendez

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Je pleure

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Elle se coiffe

__________________________________________________________________________________

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agrave le au

agrave la agrave la

agrave les aux

de le du

de la de la

de lrsquo de lrsquo

de les des

le club (the club)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

11 Nous _________________ le magasin

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ la pharmacie

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Papa _________________ la gare

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ la librairie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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17 Tu __________________________________ (allerSuisse)

20 Vous __________________________________ (venirChine)

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Chapter 10

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savoir (to know)

je sais nous savons

tu sais vous savez

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__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Vous _________________ conduire

__________________________________________________________________________________

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

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11 We are thirsty

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 They are right

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 You need to read

__________________________________________________________________________________

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14 Michael is lucky

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Her head hurts

__________________________________________________________________________________

tu fais vous faites

faire du ski to ski

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

18 I play tennis

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 We pay attention

__________________________________________________________________________________

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k Nous avons soif

l Ils ont raison

r Je fais du tennis

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The Past Tenses

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In this part

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je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

Chapter 11

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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(continued)

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15 Tu _________________ (boire) du vin

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manger (to eat)

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ecirctre (to be)

23 Elle _________________ (lire)

24 Nous _________________ (travailler)

25 Je _________________ (nager)

28 Nous _________________ (rire)

29 Il _________________ (neiger)

30 Je _________________ (conduire)

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souvent often

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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P c

Q f

R a

S e

T d

U b

V c

W d

X a

Y b

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Chapter 12

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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2 Elle _________________ (voyager)

3 Nous _________________ (choisir)

4 Ils _________________ (dicircner)

5 Je _________________ (eacutetudier)

9 Nous _________________ (travailler)

avoir (to have) eu

boire (to drink) bu

(continued)

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lire (to read) lu

savoir (to know) su

voir (to see) vu

dire (to say) dit

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rire (to laugh) ri

avoir (to have) eu

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11 Nous _________________ (conduire)

12 Ils _________________ (courir)

13 Je _________________ (lire)

14 Vous _________________ (souffrir)

15 Tu _________________ (sourire)

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me me

te you

le himit

la herit

nous us

vous you

les them

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

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ARRIVERRENTRER

VENIR

ENTRER

RETOURNER

REVENIRDEVENIR

RESTERRESTERRESTER

ALLER

NAITRE = MOURIR

TOMBER

DESCENDRE

TOMBER

DESCENDREMONTER

MONTER

PASSER

SORTIRSORTIR

PARTIR

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partir (to leave)

33 Je _________________ (tomber)

37 Il _________________ (mourir) en 1969

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(continued)

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me to me

te to you

lui to himto her

nous to us

vous to you

leur to them

44 Tu _____________________________________________ (srsquoamuser)

46 Il _____________________________________________ (se lever) tard

47 Vous _____________________________________________ (se parler)

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Q Ils sont sortis

__________________________________________________________________________________

64 Elle est partie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

avoir (to have)

tu avais vous aviez

ecirctre (to be)

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75 Elle _____________________________________________ (voyager)

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Chapter 13

entered)

(continued)

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times)

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(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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F

I

N

O

P

Q

G

H

J

K

L

M

R

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Chapter 14

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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boire (to drink)

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

lire (to read) lu-

(continued)

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dire (to say)

dire (to say) d-

rire (to laugh) r-

voir (to see) v-

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venir (to come)

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parler (to speak)

partir (to leave)

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In this part

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Chapter 15

je -ai nous -ons

tu -as vous -ez

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

2 Il _________________ (apprendre)

3 Vous _________________ (comprendre)

4 Je _________________ (travailler)

5 Nous _________________ (partir)

7 Tu _________________ (lire)

8 Vous _________________ (boire)

10 Nous _________________ (arriver)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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aller (to go) ir-

voir (to see) verr-

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__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Tu _________________ (venir) ce soir

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Ils _________________ (voir) le film

__________________________________________________________________________________

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

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__________________________________________________________________________________

demain tomorrow

plus tard later

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 16

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avoir (to have)

tu auras vous aurez

ecirctre (to be)

tu seras vous serez

finir (to finish)

arriver (to arrive)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Il _________________ (rentrer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

une fois que once

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Chapter 17

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je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

1 Vous _________________ (voyager)

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aller (to go) ir-

24_773883 ch17qxp 8206 136 PM Page 194

voir (to see) verr-

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27 Could you help me __________________________________

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Chapter 18

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

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partir (to leave)

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8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

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I wear a raincoat

wear your raincoat

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Subjunctive or Not

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In this part

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Chapter 19

je -e nous -ions

tu -es vous -iez

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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je bois nous buvons

tu bois vous buvez

prendre (to take)

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venir (to come)

croire (to believe)

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essayer (to try)

Q Infinitive vivre

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23 Infinitive venir

27 Infinitive boire

28 Infinitive voir

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aller (to go)

savoir (to know)

vouloir (to want)

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avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

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Chapter 20

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(continued)

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bien que although

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quoique although

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Soit (So be it)

Q Have them eat

36 Long live love

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Have him speak

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Have them drink

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Have her sing

__________________________________________________________________________________

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K Vive lrsquoamour

L Qursquoil parle

N Qursquoelle sache

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Chapter 21

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voir (to see)

partir (to leave)

Q que tu _________________ (faire)

A que tu aies fait

1 que nous _________________ (venir)

3 que tu _________________ (tomber)

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In this part

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Chapter 22

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Chapter 23

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Part VIIAppendixes

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In this part

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Appendix A

accuser to accuse

acheter to buy

admettre to admit

admirer to admire

adorer to adore

agir to act

aller to go

appeler to call

apprendre to learn

arranger to arrange

arriver to arrive

attacher to attach

avancer to advance

avoir to have

se baigner to bathe

balancer to swing

balayer to sweep

bacirctir to build

boire to drink

bouger to move

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 257

se brosser to brush

bronzer to tan

cacher to hide

changer to change

chanter to sing

choisir to choose

commencer to begin

commettre to commit

comparer to compare

conduire to drive

congeler to freeze

contenir to contain

corriger to correct

couper to cut

couvrir to cover

craindre to fear

croire to believe

cuire to cook

danser to dance

demander to ask

devenir to become

dire to say

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 258

disputer to argue

donner to give

dormir to sleep

effacer to erase

eacutelire to elect

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

enseigner to teach

entendre to hear

entrer to enter

envoyer to send

essayer to try

essuyer to wipe

ecirctre to be

faire to do to make

finir to finish

fondre to melt

geler to freeze

interdire to forbid

inviter to invite

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 259

jeter to throw

jouer to play

juger to judge

(se) laver to wash

se lever to get up

lire to read

manger to eat

marcher to walk

menacer to threaten

mener to lead

mentir to lie

nager to swim

nettoyer to clean

obtenir to obtain

offrir to offer

oublier to forget

ouvrir to open

parler to speak

partager to share

partir to leave

payer to pay

peler to peel

pendre to hang

penser to think

percer to pierce

peser to weigh

pincer to pinch

placer to place

plonger to dive

polir to polish

prendre to take

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 260

proposer to propose

punir to punish

se raser to shave

recevoir to receive

redire to repeat

refuser to refuse

regarder to watch

rejeter to reject

relire to reread

remplir to fill

rencontrer to meet

se reposer to rest

ressentir to feel

retenir to retain

recircver to dream

revoir to see again

rire to laugh

rougir to blush

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 261

savoir to know

servir to serve

sortir to go out

souffrir to suffer

soulager to relieve

sourire to smile

tenir to hold

tomber to fall

tondre to mow

trahir to betray

travailler to work

trouver to find

unir to unite

vendre to sell

venger to avenge

venir to come

voir to see

vouloir to want

voyager to travel

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 262

Appendix B

to accuse accuser

to act agir

to admire admirer

to admit admettre

to adore adorer

to advance avancer

to argue disputer

to arrange arranger

to arrive arriver

to ask demander

to attach attacher

to avenge venger

to bathe se baigner

to be ecirctre

to become devenir

to begin commencer

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to believe croire

to betray trahir

to blush rougir

to bother ennuyer

to brush se brosser

to build bacirctir

to buy acheter

to call appeler

to change changer

to choose choisir

to clean nettoyer

to come venir

to commit commettre

to compare comparer

to contain contenir

to cook cuire

to correct corriger

to cover couvrir

to cut couper

to dance danser

to dive plonger

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to do to make faire

to dream recircver

to drink boire

to drive conduire

to eat manger

to elect eacutelire

to enter entrer

to erase effacer

to fall tomber

to fear craindre

to feel ressentir

to feel se sentir

to fill remplir

to find trouver

to finish finir

to forbid interdire

to forget oublier

to freeze congeler

to freeze geler

to get up se lever

to give donner

to go aller

to go out sortir

to hang pendre

to have avoir

to hear entendre

to hide cacher

to hold tenir

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to invite inviter

to judge juger

to know savoir

to laugh rire

to lead mener

to learn apprendre

to leave partir

to lie mentir

to meet rencontrer

to melt fondre

to move bouger

to mow tondre

to obtain obtenir

to offer offrir

to open ouvrir

to pay payer

to peel peler

to pierce percer

to pinch pincer

to place placer

to play jouer

to polish polir

to propose proposer

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to punish punir

to read lire

to receive recevoir

to refuse refuser

to reject rejeter

to relieve soulager

to reread relire

to rest se reposer

to retain retenir

to say dire

to see voir

to see again revoir

to sell vendre

to send envoyer

to serve servir

to share partager

to shave se raser

to sing chanter

to sleep dormir

to smile sourire

to speak parler

to suffer souffrir

to sweep balayer

to swim nager

to swing balancer

to take prendre

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to tan bronzer

to teach enseigner

to think penser

to threaten menacer

to throw jeter

to travel voyager

to try essayer

to unite unir

to use employer

to walk marcher

to want vouloir

to wash (se) laver

to watch regarder

to weigh peser

to wipe essuyer

to work travailler

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Appendix C

its correct form

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273ndash274

12 46 157 217 274dire (to say) 54 166 274

them) 98

178ndash179

Index

191 196ndash197

47ndash48

53 277ndash278

157 219 279prendre (to take) 52 92 215

person) 251

285Index

0-7645-1771-6

0-7645-5093-4

0-7645-5307-0 0-7645-5331-3 dagger

0-7645-5295-3 0-7645-5232-5

0-7645-4074-2 0-7645-3758-X

0-7645-1664-7 0-7645-6924-4

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0-7645-4084-X

0-7645-5228-7

0-7645-5455-7

TRAVEL

0-7645-5146-9 0-7645-5418-2

0-7645-5438-7 0-7645-5453-0

0-7645-4345-8 0-7645-5589-8

0-7645-6852-3 0-7645-5784-X

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0-7645-5441-7

0-7645-5385-2

0-7645-6820-5 dagger 0-7645-2566-2

0-7645-5427-1

0-7645-5194-9 0-7645-4186-2

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- About the Author
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- - About This Book
        
        Classifying Verbs
        
        
        Watching Your Mood
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Trying -re Verbs
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Forming the Gerund
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Using the Imperfect
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Payer (To Pay)
        
        
        Demander (To Ask)
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Part VII Appendixes
        
        
        
        
        Index

French VerbsFOR

DUMmIESpermil

ISBN-13 978-0-471-77388-7

ISBN-10 0-471-77388-3

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1BRWQYQWIN

Indexer Anne Leach

Index283

Answer Key 58

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Answer Key 108

Answer Key 118

Answer Key 131

xiTable of Contents

Answer Key 160

Answer Key 198

Index 283

Introduction

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03_773883 introqxp 8206 122 PM Page 2

3Introduction

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In this part

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Chapter 1

Considering mood

Eyeing pronouns

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Chapter 2

Including adverbs

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je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

parler (to speak)

adorer to adore

arriver to arrive

chanter to sing

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danser to dance

demander to ask

enseigner to teach

jouer to play

marcher to walk

rencontrer to meet

tomber to fall

travailler to work

trouver to find

3 Le chœur _________________ (chanter)

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je -s nous -ssons

tu -s vous -ssez

finir (to finish)

bacirctir to build

choisir to choose

finir to finish

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punir to punish

remplir to fill

11 Il _________________ (grossir)

12 Nous _________________ (applaudir)

17 Vous _________________ (pacirclir)

20 Tu _________________ (reacuteussir)

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je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

vendre (to sell)

entendre to hear

fondre to melt

pendre to hang

Q Je _________________ (attendre)

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assez enough

beaucoup a lot

bien well

facilement easily

lentement slowly

mal poorly badly

parfois at times

peu little

rarement rarely

(continued)

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souvent often

toujours always

trop too much

vite quickly

vraiment truly

37 Tu __________________________________ (You hear well)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

41 Iljouerbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

46 Nousmangerassez

__________________________________________________________________________________

47 Jechoisirbien

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 3

je -e nous -eons

tu -es vous -ez

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manger (to eat)

changer to change

nager to swim

partager to share

plonger to dive

voyager to travel

2 Nous _________________ (plonger)

3 Ils _________________ (voyager)

4 Elle _________________ (changer)

5 Nous _________________ (nager)

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tu -es vous -ez

lancer to throw

menacer to threaten

placer to place

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6 Nous _________________ (avancer)

je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

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acheter (to buy)

amener to bring

geler to freeze

lever to raise

peser to weigh

22 Nous _________________ (geler)

23 Tu _________________ (peser) 60 kilos

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jeter (to throw)

appeler to call

rejeter to reject

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essayer (to try)

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

envoyer to send

essuyer to wipe

nettoyer to clean

payer to pay

36 Elle _________________ (payer)

37 Nous _________________ (nettoyer)

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40 Il _________________ (ennuyer) Luc

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 4

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

tu fais vous faites

1 Tu fait ton lit

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Tu vas bien

__________________________________________________________________________________

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tu peux vous pouvez

tu veux vous voulez

devoir (to have to)

je dois nous devons

tu dois vous devez

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ (pouvoir) lire

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 Je _________________ (pouvoir) venir

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

19 Je _________________ (devoir) manger

__________________________________________________________________________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

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partir (to leave)

tu pars vous partez

26 Vous _________________ (sentir) bon

27 Il _________________ (partir) demain

28 Tu _________________ (dormir) trop

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je -e nous -ons

tu -es vous -ez

ouvrir (to open)

couvrir to cover

offrir to offer

souffrir to suffer

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tu -iens vous -enez

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

contenir to contain

devenir to become

obtenir to obtain

retenir to retain

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Verb Translation

soutenir to support

tenir to hold

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

je -s nous -ons

tu -s vous -ez

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prendre (to take)

apprendre to learn

__________________________________________________________________________________

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je -s nous -tons

tu -s vous -tez

tu mets vous mettez

admettre to admit

permettre to allow

je _________________ nous _________________

tu _________________ vous _________________

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lire (to read)

je lis nous lisons

tu lis vous lisez

dire (to say)

je dis nous disons

tu dis vous dites

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boire (to drink)

Je bois nous buvons

Tu bois vous buvez

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voir (to see)

je vois nous voyons

tu vois vous voyez

croire (to believe)

craindre (to fear)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

69 Vous _________________ (voir) le pont

__________________________________________________________________________________

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tu tiens vous tenez

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Chapter 5

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je me

tu te

ilelleon se

nous nous

vous vous

ilselles se

je lave nous lavons

tu laves vous lavez

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6 Ils _________________ (se promettre)

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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11 We get along

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 I am going away

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 We are bored

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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l Je mrsquoen vais

m Ils se voient

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Chapter 6

Practicing gerunds

(continued)

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Q Rire _________________

A Riant (laughing)

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1 Boire _________________

2 Mettre _________________

3 Savoir _________________

4 Tenir _________________

5 Ecrire _________________

6 Vouloir _________________

7 Craindre _________________

8 Faire _________________

9 Avoir _________________

10 Nager _________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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a buvant (drinking)

b mettant (putting)

c sachant (knowing)

d tenant (holding)

f voulant (wanting)

h faisant (doing)

i ayant (having)

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Chapter 7

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 8

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Q Chanter (to sing) _________________ _________________ _________________

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13 Vendre (to sell) _________________ _________________ _________________

15 Entendre (to hear) _________________ _________________ _________________

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Tu lis Lis (Read)

17 Aller (to go) _________________ _________________ _________________

18 Sortir (to go out) _________________ _________________ _________________

19 Venir (to come) _________________ _________________ _________________

20 Dormir (to sleep) _________________ _________________ _________________

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Tu as Aie (Have )

Tu es Sois (Be )

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__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Manger (nous)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

(tu) _________________ _________________

(nous) _________________ _________________

(vous) _________________ _________________

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me me to me me

you te to you te

us nous to us nous

ne + +

metese

nousvous

lelales

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Q Letrsquos ask him

A Demandons-lui

36 Finish them

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Go there

__________________________________________________________________________________

39 Open it

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Close it

__________________________________________________________________________________

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L Parlons-leur

M Vas-y Or Allez-y

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Chapter 9

aller (to go)

je vais nous allons

tu vas vous allez

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1 Il mange

__________________________________________________________________________________

2 Nous nageons

__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Elle se maquille

__________________________________________________________________________________

venir (to come)

tu viens vous venez

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__________________________________________________________________________________

7 Vous attendez

__________________________________________________________________________________

8 Je pleure

__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Elle se coiffe

__________________________________________________________________________________

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agrave le au

agrave la agrave la

agrave les aux

de le du

de la de la

de lrsquo de lrsquo

de les des

le club (the club)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

11 Nous _________________ le magasin

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 Ils _________________ la pharmacie

__________________________________________________________________________________

14 Papa _________________ la gare

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Tu _________________ la librairie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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17 Tu __________________________________ (allerSuisse)

20 Vous __________________________________ (venirChine)

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Chapter 10

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savoir (to know)

je sais nous savons

tu sais vous savez

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__________________________________________________________________________________

5 Vous _________________ conduire

__________________________________________________________________________________

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

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11 We are thirsty

__________________________________________________________________________________

12 They are right

__________________________________________________________________________________

13 You need to read

__________________________________________________________________________________

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14 Michael is lucky

__________________________________________________________________________________

15 Her head hurts

__________________________________________________________________________________

tu fais vous faites

faire du ski to ski

(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

18 I play tennis

__________________________________________________________________________________

19 We pay attention

__________________________________________________________________________________

15_773883 ch10qxp 8206 130 PM Page 117

k Nous avons soif

l Ils ont raison

r Je fais du tennis

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The Past Tenses

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In this part

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je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

Chapter 11

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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(continued)

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15 Tu _________________ (boire) du vin

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manger (to eat)

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ecirctre (to be)

23 Elle _________________ (lire)

24 Nous _________________ (travailler)

25 Je _________________ (nager)

28 Nous _________________ (rire)

29 Il _________________ (neiger)

30 Je _________________ (conduire)

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souvent often

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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P c

Q f

R a

S e

T d

U b

V c

W d

X a

Y b

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Chapter 12

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avoir (to have)

jrsquoai nous avons

tu as vous avez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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2 Elle _________________ (voyager)

3 Nous _________________ (choisir)

4 Ils _________________ (dicircner)

5 Je _________________ (eacutetudier)

9 Nous _________________ (travailler)

avoir (to have) eu

boire (to drink) bu

(continued)

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lire (to read) lu

savoir (to know) su

voir (to see) vu

dire (to say) dit

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rire (to laugh) ri

avoir (to have) eu

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11 Nous _________________ (conduire)

12 Ils _________________ (courir)

13 Je _________________ (lire)

14 Vous _________________ (souffrir)

15 Tu _________________ (sourire)

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me me

te you

le himit

la herit

nous us

vous you

les them

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

ecirctre (to be)

je suis nous sommes

tu es vous ecirctes

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ARRIVERRENTRER

VENIR

ENTRER

RETOURNER

REVENIRDEVENIR

RESTERRESTERRESTER

ALLER

NAITRE = MOURIR

TOMBER

DESCENDRE

TOMBER

DESCENDREMONTER

MONTER

PASSER

SORTIRSORTIR

PARTIR

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partir (to leave)

33 Je _________________ (tomber)

37 Il _________________ (mourir) en 1969

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(continued)

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18_773883 ch12qxp 8206 133 PM Page 144

me to me

te to you

lui to himto her

nous to us

vous to you

leur to them

44 Tu _____________________________________________ (srsquoamuser)

46 Il _____________________________________________ (se lever) tard

47 Vous _____________________________________________ (se parler)

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Q Ils sont sortis

__________________________________________________________________________________

64 Elle est partie

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

avoir (to have)

tu avais vous aviez

ecirctre (to be)

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75 Elle _____________________________________________ (voyager)

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Chapter 13

entered)

(continued)

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times)

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(continued)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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F

I

N

O

P

Q

G

H

J

K

L

M

R

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Chapter 14

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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boire (to drink)

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

lire (to read) lu-

(continued)

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dire (to say)

dire (to say) d-

rire (to laugh) r-

voir (to see) v-

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venir (to come)

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parler (to speak)

partir (to leave)

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In this part

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Chapter 15

je -ai nous -ons

tu -as vous -ez

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

2 Il _________________ (apprendre)

3 Vous _________________ (comprendre)

4 Je _________________ (travailler)

5 Nous _________________ (partir)

7 Tu _________________ (lire)

8 Vous _________________ (boire)

10 Nous _________________ (arriver)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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aller (to go) ir-

voir (to see) verr-

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__________________________________________________________________________________

22 Tu _________________ (venir) ce soir

__________________________________________________________________________________

23 Ils _________________ (voir) le film

__________________________________________________________________________________

lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

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__________________________________________________________________________________

demain tomorrow

plus tard later

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 16

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avoir (to have)

tu auras vous aurez

ecirctre (to be)

tu seras vous serez

finir (to finish)

arriver (to arrive)

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__________________________________________________________________________________

10 Il _________________ (rentrer)

__________________________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________________________________

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lorsque when

quand when

tant que as long as

une fois que once

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Chapter 17

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je -ais nous -ions

tu -ais vous -iez

parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

1 Vous _________________ (voyager)

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aller (to go) ir-

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voir (to see) verr-

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27 Could you help me __________________________________

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Chapter 18

avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

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partir (to leave)

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8 Nous _________________ (se voir)

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I wear a raincoat

wear your raincoat

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Subjunctive or Not

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In this part

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Chapter 19

je -e nous -ions

tu -es vous -iez

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parler (to speak)

finir (to finish)

vendre (to sell)

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je bois nous buvons

tu bois vous buvez

prendre (to take)

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venir (to come)

croire (to believe)

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essayer (to try)

Q Infinitive vivre

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23 Infinitive venir

27 Infinitive boire

28 Infinitive voir

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aller (to go)

savoir (to know)

vouloir (to want)

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avoir (to have)

ecirctre (to be)

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Chapter 20

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(continued)

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bien que although

28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 230

quoique although

__________________________________________________________________________________

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Soit (So be it)

Q Have them eat

36 Long live love

__________________________________________________________________________________

37 Have him speak

__________________________________________________________________________________

38 Have them drink

__________________________________________________________________________________

40 Have her sing

__________________________________________________________________________________

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28_773883 ch20qxp 8206 140 PM Page 234

K Vive lrsquoamour

L Qursquoil parle

N Qursquoelle sache

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Chapter 21

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voir (to see)

partir (to leave)

Q que tu _________________ (faire)

A que tu aies fait

1 que nous _________________ (venir)

3 que tu _________________ (tomber)

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30_773883 pt06qxp 72806 849 PM Page 243

In this part

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Chapter 22

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Chapter 23

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Part VIIAppendixes

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In this part

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Appendix A

accuser to accuse

acheter to buy

admettre to admit

admirer to admire

adorer to adore

agir to act

aller to go

appeler to call

apprendre to learn

arranger to arrange

arriver to arrive

attacher to attach

avancer to advance

avoir to have

se baigner to bathe

balancer to swing

balayer to sweep

bacirctir to build

boire to drink

bouger to move

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 257

se brosser to brush

bronzer to tan

cacher to hide

changer to change

chanter to sing

choisir to choose

commencer to begin

commettre to commit

comparer to compare

conduire to drive

congeler to freeze

contenir to contain

corriger to correct

couper to cut

couvrir to cover

craindre to fear

croire to believe

cuire to cook

danser to dance

demander to ask

devenir to become

dire to say

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 258

disputer to argue

donner to give

dormir to sleep

effacer to erase

eacutelire to elect

employer to use

ennuyer to bother

enseigner to teach

entendre to hear

entrer to enter

envoyer to send

essayer to try

essuyer to wipe

ecirctre to be

faire to do to make

finir to finish

fondre to melt

geler to freeze

interdire to forbid

inviter to invite

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 259

jeter to throw

jouer to play

juger to judge

(se) laver to wash

se lever to get up

lire to read

manger to eat

marcher to walk

menacer to threaten

mener to lead

mentir to lie

nager to swim

nettoyer to clean

obtenir to obtain

offrir to offer

oublier to forget

ouvrir to open

parler to speak

partager to share

partir to leave

payer to pay

peler to peel

pendre to hang

penser to think

percer to pierce

peser to weigh

pincer to pinch

placer to place

plonger to dive

polir to polish

prendre to take

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 260

proposer to propose

punir to punish

se raser to shave

recevoir to receive

redire to repeat

refuser to refuse

regarder to watch

rejeter to reject

relire to reread

remplir to fill

rencontrer to meet

se reposer to rest

ressentir to feel

retenir to retain

recircver to dream

revoir to see again

rire to laugh

rougir to blush

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 261

savoir to know

servir to serve

sortir to go out

souffrir to suffer

soulager to relieve

sourire to smile

tenir to hold

tomber to fall

tondre to mow

trahir to betray

travailler to work

trouver to find

unir to unite

vendre to sell

venger to avenge

venir to come

voir to see

vouloir to want

voyager to travel

34_773883 appaqxp 8206 138 PM Page 262

Appendix B

to accuse accuser

to act agir

to admire admirer

to admit admettre

to adore adorer

to advance avancer

to argue disputer

to arrange arranger

to arrive arriver

to ask demander

to attach attacher

to avenge venger

to bathe se baigner

to be ecirctre

to become devenir

to begin commencer

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 263

to believe croire

to betray trahir

to blush rougir

to bother ennuyer

to brush se brosser

to build bacirctir

to buy acheter

to call appeler

to change changer

to choose choisir

to clean nettoyer

to come venir

to commit commettre

to compare comparer

to contain contenir

to cook cuire

to correct corriger

to cover couvrir

to cut couper

to dance danser

to dive plonger

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 264

to do to make faire

to dream recircver

to drink boire

to drive conduire

to eat manger

to elect eacutelire

to enter entrer

to erase effacer

to fall tomber

to fear craindre

to feel ressentir

to feel se sentir

to fill remplir

to find trouver

to finish finir

to forbid interdire

to forget oublier

to freeze congeler

to freeze geler

to get up se lever

to give donner

to go aller

to go out sortir

to hang pendre

to have avoir

to hear entendre

to hide cacher

to hold tenir

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 265

to invite inviter

to judge juger

to know savoir

to laugh rire

to lead mener

to learn apprendre

to leave partir

to lie mentir

to meet rencontrer

to melt fondre

to move bouger

to mow tondre

to obtain obtenir

to offer offrir

to open ouvrir

to pay payer

to peel peler

to pierce percer

to pinch pincer

to place placer

to play jouer

to polish polir

to propose proposer

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 266

to punish punir

to read lire

to receive recevoir

to refuse refuser

to reject rejeter

to relieve soulager

to reread relire

to rest se reposer

to retain retenir

to say dire

to see voir

to see again revoir

to sell vendre

to send envoyer

to serve servir

to share partager

to shave se raser

to sing chanter

to sleep dormir

to smile sourire

to speak parler

to suffer souffrir

to sweep balayer

to swim nager

to swing balancer

to take prendre

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 267

to tan bronzer

to teach enseigner

to think penser

to threaten menacer

to throw jeter

to travel voyager

to try essayer

to unite unir

to use employer

to walk marcher

to want vouloir

to wash (se) laver

to watch regarder

to weigh peser

to wipe essuyer

to work travailler

35_773883 appbqxp 8206 138 PM Page 268

Appendix C

its correct form

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36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 270

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36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 272

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 273

36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 274

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36_773883 appcqxp 8206 137 PM Page 276

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273ndash274

12 46 157 217 274dire (to say) 54 166 274

them) 98

178ndash179

Index

191 196ndash197

47ndash48

53 277ndash278

157 219 279prendre (to take) 52 92 215

person) 251

285Index

0-7645-1771-6

0-7645-5093-4

0-7645-5307-0 0-7645-5331-3 dagger

0-7645-5295-3 0-7645-5232-5

0-7645-4074-2 0-7645-3758-X

0-7645-1664-7 0-7645-6924-4

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 287

0-7645-4084-X

0-7645-5228-7

0-7645-5455-7

TRAVEL

0-7645-5146-9 0-7645-5418-2

0-7645-5438-7 0-7645-5453-0

0-7645-4345-8 0-7645-5589-8

0-7645-6852-3 0-7645-5784-X

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 288

0-7645-5441-7

0-7645-5385-2

0-7645-6820-5 dagger 0-7645-2566-2

0-7645-5427-1

0-7645-5194-9 0-7645-4186-2

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 289

38_773883 bobqxp 72806 850 PM Page 290

- About the Author
- Dedication
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- - About This Book
        
        Classifying Verbs
        
        
        Watching Your Mood
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Trying -re Verbs
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Forming the Gerund
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Using the Imperfect
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        Answer Key
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Payer (To Pay)
        
        
        Demander (To Ask)
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        Part VII Appendixes
        
        
        
        
        Index

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French Verbs for Dummies (ISBN - 0471773883)

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