Learning and Understanding French Grammar

2011-07-30T13:39:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! I have started to come back with this blog and I am in the mist of redoing it! It's been a long time since I have been on here! I am going to start back on this blog very soon! With people who wants questions or help, or they need tutoring or want to learn from in the my local area where I can teach them! I wil be back soon!

French interrogative pronouns- qui vs. que

2010-06-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

In the French language, we have noticed the interogative pronouns concerning qui and que! The both of them mean different things in the French language!

The pronoun (qui) is always used to link to a verb in a sentence!
Qui- (who)

Example: Qui est cette personne!?

Note- qui is the pronoun, which (est) is the congutated verb of etre.

Example two: The pronoun (qui) is also used to go after an indefinite or definite article, or the name of a person, but always links with a verb!

1.C'est marcelle qui parle en anglais.

That's marcelle who speaks in english.

marcelle is the name of a person, parle ( is the conguated verb of parler).

2. C'est la directeur qui eseigne le musique.

That's the director who teaches music.

Note: La- is a definite article; among with the noun ( director). Qui is linked to the conguated verb of eseigner.

The pronoun (Que) can be used with articles such as definite or indefinite articles, but is rarely used with verbs! Too, it can link to 1,2,3rd persons such as je, vous, il, elle, nous, elles, ils!

Example 1

Je sais que vous allez au magsin.

I know that you are going to the store!

Note: que: is the pronoun, it's linked to the 2 person plural (Vous)!

Example 2

Nous croyons que les livres sont sur la table!

We believe that the books are on the table!

Note: que- is linking to a definite article! Next, (les) is the definite article, which ( livres) is the plural noun!

Are you as a begginner using translating websites

2010-05-24T21:27:00.000-07:00

This blog is going to be very different, which one has seen previously of grammar explanations of the french language! I felt to write on this subject! This is translating websites in any language! This is for people who don't know much, or beginning to learn about any foreign language

There are so many people using translating websites, which is the quickest way to write out a translation!! Some translation sites can be way off in what they give! Usually, some people who don't know much about that particular langauge, that's the quickest option is to use a translating site! There is a downside to it because most people who are beginners are not aware about some translation sites!

Most translation sites can be way off! For example, let's use the verb get in english, which we know that the verb ( get) is used at lot in different forms and expressions! Let's use an example of a english sentence to translate in the french langauge!

English: You don't get it!

Now, the above sentence is what a begginner or a person who knows some will go to one of the translation website! Usually, that person will get this sentence converted into french.

Vous ne l'obtenez pas:

Note: obtenez: conguated verb of (obtenir) in french

The beginner or the person who knows some about the french language or another a langauge will believe from one of translation sites is correct! As the sentence above, it is incorrect! The correct translation will be from english to french

From english: You don't get it!

To French : Vous ne comprenez pas

Most begginers who learn a foreign, or know little about a foriegn language will go faster to a translating website rather asking a fluent or native person! In my opinion, it's best to go to an advanced,fluent, or native speak who is extremely good translating! Don't get me wrong, most fluent,advanced, or native speakers sometimes aren't sure about a translation, but they always go ask another fluent or native speak who is better than them at translating, or to confirm if the translation is correct! This is a sign that they want to get the translation right because they know usually it doesn't sound right while trying to translate the sentence!

Short word to those who are begginers

If those who are starting to learn a foriegn language!Before trying to go to translating sites, It's important to learn and speak enough of that language!In addition,it's necessary to ask other people who are fluent or native speakers to translate a sentence that you are curious to know about!

One might ask me the question! am I trying to bash translating sites?! Not at all, but I am saying is that it would not be recommended for the begginer, or those who aren't very fimilar with the language! The reason because they have not taught everything about grammar rules of that foreign langauge! They could get easily mislead! Then time a beginner give the sentence to a fluent or native speakers, they wouldn't understand, or they would recognize that begginner is trying to say something,but don't know what it is!

My ecouragement to beginners, or those who are not fimilar with another langauge! Be careful!

Expessions with the verb faire part II

2010-05-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

As said earlier, we have used the verb faire! Therefore, it is more expressions with this popular french verb!

Used in add numbers in French

Deux et Deux font quatre = two and two equals four!

Note: font= always means equals in this sentence!

To ask a question

Qu'est-ce que Vous faites?

What are you doing? -OR - What are you making?

Couple of other expressions

Faire de la sociologie - to study sociology

Vous faites de la sociologie- You study sociology

Faire une faute- to make an error or mistake

Nous faisions une faute

il y a vs. Voilà

2010-04-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

There are two forms called (il y a vs. Voilà), both of them can mean There is and there are in the english language! There is a difference between both of them!

I. The form ( il y a)

The form ( il y a) means - there is or there are)- in the english language! However, the form (il y a) indicates or gives the existence or presence of a person or thing! Too, it is also used in singular or plural nouns!

1. Il y a une carte sur le mur! There is a map on the wall!

Note: In this sentence, the form (il y a) indicates the existence a singular noun, which is (une carte). note that (une carte) is a thing!

2. Il y a une personne au restaurant! There is a person at the resturant.

Note: By this sentence, the form( il y a) indicates the presence of singular noun, which is (une personne). Note that( une personne) is a person!

3. Il y a cinq stylos sur la table! There are five pens on the table!

Note: In this sentence, the form ( il y a) indicates the existence of the plural noun, which is ( five pens)! Note that ( cinq stylos) are things!

# Special note: the form ( il y a) can be used with the negation
( ne.....pas).

Il n'y a pas des gens a la reunion!

There aren't any people at the meeting!

II. The form Voilà

The form Voilà is used to show or point people or things! It is also used with singular and plural nouns! The form (Voilà)also means- here is- in the english language!

1. Voilà une carte de France. Here's a map of France!

Note: In this sentence, the form (voilà) is indicating someone showing or pointing(une carte)-map, which is a singular noun!

2. Voilà Monsieur et Mme Dupont. There are Mr. and Mrs. Dupont!

Note: In this sentence, the form( voilà) is indicating someone pointing out (Monsieur and Mme Dupont),which are plural nouns!

combination of the preposition à with definite articles

2010-04-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

The preposition à has combinations with definite articles such le,l' and les! However, these are different formulas that are used in the french language in order to complete a sentence!

1. à + le = au

2. à + les= aux

3. à + la = à la

4. à + l' = à l'

Example I. Using (au) in a sentence

Vous jouez au tennis. You play tennis

Example II. Using (aux) in a sentence

Je parle aux professeurs I speak to the professers.

Example III. Using (à la) in a sentence

Ils arrivent à la zoologie! They arrive to the zoologie.

Example IV. Using (à l') in a sentence

Nous parlons à l'écrivain. We speak to the writer.

Using the negation form (ne...pas de) with the verb avoir

2010-04-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

The french negation ne...pas is a very common expression in the french language. However, the preposition (de) in this form will be following the negation ne....pas. In this case, an infinitive(verb) will not be following the preposition (de). The meaning of (ne...pas de) of not having any, or an. In what follows the preposition(de) will be articles such as a group of people,person, animals, or things!

I. group of people!

Je n'ai pas de soeurs!

I don't have sisters!

Note: The conguated verb will always go in the middle of ne...pas

Example: n'ai pas, (ai) is the conguated verb of avoir.

II. Used for a person

Vous n'avez pas d'oncle.

You don't have an oncle.

Note: However, we are going to use (d') before the the vowel.

III. It is used for things

Nous n'avons pas de stylos

We don't have any pens!

IV. It is used for animals

Elles n'ont pas de chats

They don't have any cats.

Using the French negation ne .... ni .....ni

2010-03-29T21:41:00.000-07:00

The French negatation ne..... ni....ni, has very different modes in which it is used! This negatation is a very common and unique negation to use in the langauge.

However, the meanings of the negatation ne.... ni....ni means in the english language:not... neither... nor; not... nor ....nor

I. First ne... ni .....ni can be used in verbs

Example I.

Je ne manage ni boire ni parler pendant le diner

I didn't eat nor drink nor speak during dinner.

Example II.

Je ne lis ni écrire ni faire mes devoirs

I didn't read nor write nor do my homework.

Example III. Using the verb savoir

Les enfants ne savent ni lire ni écrire.

The children doesn't know how to read nor write

Note:
French word(Comment)- means how in english

Whenever one uses the verb savoir, it important to use ne...ni..ni in the langauge, but never put french word (comment) to interfere with using ne ... ni ... ni!

II. The negation ne....ni ....ni can be used with an definite articles

Note: Definite articles are- la, le, l', les

Example I.

Vous ne mangez ni les bonbons ni les oranges

You don't eat neither candy nor oranges.

Example II.

Elle ne crois ni la déclaration ni le décision de cette personne.

She doesn't believe neither the statements nor the decision of that person.

On vs. Nous in the french

2010-03-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

In the french language, the pronouns On and Nous means (we). Even though they both mean (We) in the french langauge! They are not used in the same category of persons in the language! To understand where this is coming from, we will look at the first, second, and third persons in french.

First person singular (Je)

Second person singular (tu)

Third person singular (Il)

Third person singular (Elle)

Third person singular (On)

First person plural ( Nous)

Second person plural (Vous)

Third person plural (Ils)

I. The pronoun (On)!

The French pronoun (On) does mean (we) in the english langauge! However, it is not used as first person plural as (Nous),but it is used as third person singular! Let's look at in example

On voit les joujou au magsin.
meaning in english
We see the toys at the store.

Note: (On) is the pronoun, and (voit) is the conguated verb for (voir)! If one is confused, let's conjuate the verb voir among with the pronouns so that one can understand!

Voir- To see

Je vois

Tu vois

Il voit

Elle voit

On voit- note: this is third person singular with the conguated verb voir

Nous voyons

Vous voyez

Ils voient/Elles voient

II. The pronoun ( NOUS)

The pronoun ( Nous) means (We) also! It falls in the catagory of first person plural! It's not like the pronoun(on) falling under the third person plural! Let's look at an example!

Nous avons la voiture!

Meaning in english

We have the car!

Note: (Nous) is the pronoun! (avons) is the conguated verb of avoir! In order to see the catagory of first person plural! Let's look at the conguated verb of avoir!

Avoir- to have

J'ai

Tu as

Il a

Elle a

On a

Nous avons- Note: First person plural, along with the conguated verb avoir

Vous avez

Ils ont

Elles ont

Expressions with the French verb faire

2010-03-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

The French verb faire has many different expressions! It is also a common verb among the french langauge! Before looking at some french verb expressions with faire, we can look at the conjugation of the verb faire in the present tense.

Faire- to do, or to make

Je fais - I do, or I make

Tu fais - You do, or You make

Il fait - He does, or He makes

Elle fait - She does, or She makes

Nous faisons - We do, or We make

Vous faites - You do, or You make

Ils font - They do, or They make

Elles font - They do, or They make

After looking at the conjuation of the present tense verb faire, we are going to look at some expressions.

The weather and temperature

Il fait froid - It's cold

Il fait chaud - It's hot

Il fait mauvais- The weather's bad

Il fait bon - The weather's good

Il fait humide - It's humid

Il fait 30 degrés - It's 30 degrees

Quel temps fait- il - What's the weather like?

Activites at the beach

Faire de la natation - to swim

Faire du surf. - to surf

Faire du ski- nautique - to water-skiing

Faire de la planche à voile - to wind- surf

Faire de la voile - to go sailing

Note: One can use other pronouns and the conjuations of the present tense, which are Je fais, tu fais, Il fait, Elle fait,Nous faisions, vous faites, ils font, and elle font in order to use an expression. Let's use an example from one of the following expressions above.

Example:
Je fais de la natation. - I am swiming

Other activites

Faire du vélo - to ride a bike

Faire du shopping - to go shopping

Faire du camping - to camp, or to go camping

Faire du tourisme - to take a tour, or to go touring

Faire du cheval - to ride a horse, or to go horseback riding

Faire du promenade - to go walking, or to go for a walk

Let's use one of the following expressions as an example.

Ex.
Je fais du cheval - I am riding a horse,or I am going horse back riding.

With working

Faire des courses - to run errands

Faire la vaisselle - to do the dishes

Faire des devoirs - to do homework

Let's use a following example with one of the expressions above!

Example: Vous faites des courses - You are running errands.

Le Futur Proche in French

2010-03-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

Le Future Proche in French is used as a part of future actions that is going to take place by a person, place or thing! In order to use the future proche, one must use the aller in the present tense plus an infinitive so that the sentence can be constructed! First, let's look at the congutated verb aller in the present tense below!

Aller- to go

Je vais - I go

Tu vas - You go

Il va - He goes

Elle va - She goes

Nous allons - We go

Vous allez - You go

Ils vont - They go

Elles vont - They go

Having spoken earlier, the way to use the future proche is to use the verb aller in the present tense + infinitive(the other verb)! Let's look at example I used with a group of persons!

Example I.

Nous allons manger au restuarant.

We are going to eat at the resturant.

Note in the French sentence:First, Nous is a group of persons! Second,(allons) is the conjugated present tense of the verb ( aller)! Third, the other verb (manger) is an infinitive!

Example II.

(La radio) va tomber de la table!

The radio is going to fall from the table!

Note in the French sentence: (La radio) is a thing! Second, (va ) is the conjugated present tense of the verb aller! Third,the other verb( tomber) is the infinitive!

Example III.

La ville de Paris va être très grande l'année prochaine!

The city of Paris is going to be very big next year!

Note in the french sentence: (La ville de Paris) is a place! (Va) is the conjugated present tense of the verb aller! Third, the other verb is (être) is an infinitive.

Example IV.

Je vais conduire au stade ce week-end.

I am going to drive at the stadium this weekend!

Note in the french sentence: First,(Je) is a person, we don't know if it's a he or she! Second, (vais) is the conjugated present tense of the verb aller ! Third, the other verb ( conduire) is the infinitive!

The french preposition (chez)

2010-03-08T18:41:00.000-08:00

The preposition chez defines different meanings in the french language. Therefore, we are going to look at the meaning and expressions of the french preposition (chez).

I. chez- at the office/to the office .

Nous devons aller chez le medicin.

We have to go to the doctor's office

Note: The french preposition chez is always used with any type of office at a certain place!

II. Chez- at the store/ to the store

Vous achetez le pain chez la boulangerie.

You eat bread at the bakery

Note: la boulangerie is a story

III. Chez- for

1.Chez les catholiques, la divorce n'est pas permis.

For the catholiques, Divorce is not permitted

Note: The preposition chez is used for a group of people! (les catholiques) is a group of people! Next, we talk about the second sentence.

2. C'est bien de faire ces choses chez Michelle!

That's good to make those things for Michelle!

Note: In sentence 2, the preposition chez is also used for one person!

IV. chez- at the home, at the house, self at home,

Expressions with chez concerning at the house or home of a person or more!

Chez moi- at my house, myself at home

Chez toi- at your house, at your home, yourself at home

Chez vous- at your house, at your home, yourself at home

Chez lui- at his house, at his home, himself at home!

Chez eux - themselves at home!

Chez elle- at her house, at her home, herself at home!

Chez nous - at our home, at our house, ourselves at home

Chez soi- home place, at home, oneself at home, one's house,

However, I will use some of expressions above as a sentences!

Example one:

Ils peuvent faire chez eux.

They can make themselves at home.

Note: This first example speaks of a group of people being spoken by a person or more than one person to make themsleves at home!

Example two:

Je vais rester chez lui.

I am going to stay at his house!

Note: In this sentence, a person is speaking about staying male-figure's house rather it's a boy, young man, old man!

Example three:

Paul peut faire chez lui.

Paul can make himself at home!

Note: example three is dealing a person speaking towards paul making himself at home!

Learn to Speak French : The Months of the Year (HD)

2010-02-28T08:20:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone, I have enclosed where one can pratice to say the mouths. This person has a good pronuncation with the mouths of the year. I know that I have written and posted up to explain to the readers the french grammar, but there will be more of pronuncations on my blog . This objective is to improve a person's pronunciation.Thanks again.

Jouer à vs. Jouer de

2010-02-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

The verb Jouer is one of the common verbs in the french langauge. One can observe below the conjuatation of the verb Jouer.

Jouer- to play

Je joue - I play

tu joues - you play

Il joue - He plays

Elle joue - She plays

Nous jouons - We play

Vous jouez - You play

Ils jouent - They play

Elle jouent - They play

After looking and noticing the conjuatation of the verb jouer, there are two main prepositions used after the verb jouer. Those two prepositions are(à) and (de). There is a difference with using these two prepositions are the verb jouer. First, let's look at Jouer à.

1. Jouer à

This is always used in a sentence that deals or speaks about sports or games! Let's look at some examples below.

Example I.

Je joue au tennis le mardi! I play tennis on tuesday!

In this sentence, le tennis is the sport! In order to form au- one must use the formula(à+le)= au.

Example II.

Nous jouons aux cartes aujourd'hui! We are playing cards today!

From this sentence, les cartes(cards) is a game! In order to form aux, which is plural - one must use the formula (à +les)= aux.

2. Jouer de

This one is far different from Jouer à. When one uses Jouer de, it is used to only express playing a form of music and instruments.Let's look at some examples.

Example I.

Vous jouez du piano! You play the piano!

In this sentence, le piano is the instrument. To form (du)- one must use the formula (de+le)= du.

Example II.

Ils jouent de la musique classique. They are playing classical music.

From this sentence, (la musique classique) is playing a form of music. In this formula (de+la)=de la, which it stays the same and does not change.

The Most Common French Greetings. How to say hello, goodbye, thank you, etc in French

2010-02-26T20:49:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone, I have enclosed the most common French Greetings! They are basic phrases where the speaking explains the greetings or phrases.

Using the days of the week in a sentence

2010-02-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Using the days of the week can be sort of confusing if one is an english speak. Overall, the days of the week in French used in a sentence are not the same as structing in the english language. Usually, it is one of the common mistakes in French.First we will look at the days of the week for those who are not fimiliar with them

Lundi- Monday

Mardi- Tuesday

Mercredi- Wednesday

Jeudi - Thursday

Vendredi- Friday

Samedi - Saturday

Dimanche- Sunday

After looking at the days of the week, there are right and wrong terms while using them.

The wrong from:

Nous pouvons aller au resturant sur le lundi

Meaning in english:

We can go to the resturant on monday.

Note: In those who know the preposition (sur) in French means (on)! When one uses to contruct a sentence for the days of the week in french. It is important not to use the preposition (sur) nor (le,la) in order contruct a sentence in French to use one of the days of the week.

The correct form:

Nous pouvons aller au resturant lundi!

Meaning in English:

We can go to the resturant on Monday!

Part II.

This deals with a different structure, but don't get it confused with part one! At the begining of the sentence,the definite article (Le) is required before using one of the days of the week in French. In this case with (le) from the sentence, it will mean (on) in english. Let's look an example below

Example:

Le dimanche, Je vais au parc.

Meaning in english:

On Sunday, I am going to the park.

Note:It is important to be careful because this is part of certain mistakes that are made by most people who speak english. Never put (Sur)to begin the sentence, but put (le).

Part III.

If one doesn't want to use (le), but only want to use one of the days of the week. The definite article is not required. Let's look at the example below.

Mardi, Je dois lire mon livre.

Meaning in English

Tuesday, I have to read my book.

Conjugating the verb falloir in the present tense

2010-02-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

The French verb falloir is a very unique verb from all the other verbs in the French language. This verb is not conjugated just as other verbs. However,this verb does not have the pronouns( je, tu,nous, vous,elles,ils) in the sentence. The rule of this conjugation of this verb goes as it is seen below.

Falloir- to be necessary

Il faut- It is necesary

This verb only has the pronoun (Il)! This is what the rule of the french language of this verb requires from the language! Remember, it is important to use (Il) for the verb.

Partitive articles in French

2010-02-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Partitive articles in French starts with the preposition (De), which means different words in the english language (from, some,for,about,any). In addition, the preposition (De) is always followed by definite articles! Therefore definite articles are ( la,le, l'). Below, there are certain formulas that are used in order to contruct the sentence.

First partitive article formula: (de + la)= de la

Using the partitive article (de la) in a sentence below:

Je manage de la salade. Meaning in English: I eat some salad

Second partitive article formula: (de + le)= du

Using the partitive article (du) in a sentence below

Vous venez du Sénégal. Meaning in English: You come from Senegal

Third partitive article formula: (de+l') = de l'
Note: this partitive article is always followed by a vowel
vowels are(a i e o u)

Using the partitive article (de+ l')

Nous marchons de l'usine. Meaning in English: We walk from the factory.

Additional note: There are some times that the preposition (de) will mean in the english langauge ( any), but it's used with the negation
ne......pas, or a question.

First example used with ne.... pas:

Je n'ai pas de l' argent. Meaning in English: I don't have any money.

Second example using a question

Avez- vous de la papier? Meaning in English: Do you have any paper?

Basic French: Numbers 1 - 10

2010-02-06T15:32:00.001-08:00

This is the french numbers 1-10, which is from another french speaker from youtube channels. You can pronounce them at your own pace, which is good for one who is a begginner or trying to learn french.

Common mistake with using the verb savoir

2010-02-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

Having spoken about the differences between savoir and connaître, there is a common mistake with the verb savoir. This is a mistake between most english speakers! Some english speakers might think that (comment) might go between savoir+infinitive, but it doesn't!

Wrong way: Je ne sais pas comment nager

Correct way: Je ne sais pas nager

meaning in english : I don't know how to swim

Remember comment can be used after the verb conguated verb savoir!

Je sais comment sa soeur entre la chambre

meaning in english: I know how his sister enters the room

The difference between the savoir and connaître

2010-02-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

These two verbs can be confusing for people who are learning the french language as a begginner or intermediate learner. However, there is a difference while using these two verbs. Even though the verb savoir and the verb connaître means (to know), it is very important when to use them while speaking to an fluent or advanced french speaker. Therefore, the objective is to clear out the confusion between these two verbs. Before explaining the difference between these two verbs,I want to present to you the conguatation of the present tense of both verbs.

Connaître- to know

Je connais - I know

Tu connais - You know

Il connaît - He knows

Elle connaît - She knows

Nous connaissons - We know

Vous connaissez - You know

Ils connaissent - They know

Elles connaissent - They know

Savoir - to know

Je sais - I know

Tu sais - You know

Il sait - He knows

Elle sait - She knows

Nous savons - We know

Vous savez - You know

Ils savent - They know

Elles savent - They know

First part will start with the French verb connaître! The verb conaitre does mean to know! Here are some things to be aware of this verb!

1. The verb connaître is always used with a person whom one is familiar with, or aquanticed with, or knows someone. Let's look at 3 examples in some sentence!

Example I.

Nous connaissons Michelle qui travaille au magasin.

Meaning in English:

We know Michelle who works at the store.

Note: In this sentence, it speaks of familarity of a person, and a group of people who knows or is famaliar with michelle! Remember,The french word (Nous) means (We) in the english langauge! Therefore,(Nous) repesents in the sentence more than one person who knows or is familiar with michelle. Let's observe the next example.

Example II.

Je connais Jacques

Meaning in English langauge

I know Jacques

Note: Even though this sentence deals with familiarity, The french word(Je) speaks of one person who knows or is familiar with Jacques! Remember, (Je) means (I) in the english! Let's observe the next example.

Example III.

Tu connais Danielle

Meaning in the english language

You know Danielle!?

Note: This third part also deals with familiarity, but this is asking someone a question if he or she knows or is familiar with that person(Danielle)! Remember, The french word (Tu) means (you) in the english language, but is singular! However, (Tu) is represented in sentence as a question asked directly towards one person!Overall, someone is asking a person(Tu) the question- does he or she know Danielle!? Let's look at another example.

Example IV.

Non,Je ne connais pas Michelle

Meaning in English:

I don't know Michelle

Note: This sentence is using the negation in the sentence! If a person approaches and says in French (Tu connais Michelle)! If one doesn't know michelle, he or she would refer back to that person (Non, Je ne connais pas Michelle). Still, one would still the negation (ne...pas) along with using the conguatation of the verb connaitre. Next, we are going to deal the second part of using the verb connaître.

2. The verb Connaître is always used for a place,city, or a country! Overall, it deals with a place,city or country that one is familiar with or knows!

Je connais bien Lyon

Meaning in English

I know Lyon very well.

or

I am familiar with Lyon.

Note: In French sentence talks about one person(he or she) who knows or is familiar with a city! However, Lyon is a city! Remember, (Je) means in english language(I)!

Example II:

Ils/Elles connaissent France

Meaning in English

They know France

or

They are familiar with France!

Note: In this sentence in French, it is a person or more speaking about a group of persons who knows or are familiar with France! Note that France is a country, which is spoken in the sentence! Remember, the french words( Ils/Elles) mean (They)in the English language!

Example III.

John connaît le théâtre!

Meaning in English:

John knows the theater

Note: In this sentence, there is one or more persons speaking about a male person(John) in the sentence whom one or more persons know or familiar with! However, the french word (théâtre) is a place!

After finishing with the verb connaître, it is time to talk and explain the verb savoir! There are some things that one must be aware of the French verb savoir!

1. The french verb savoir is followed by an infinitive,but the french verb connaitre is never used with an infinitive!Let's observe the first example

Example I.

Je ne sais pas jouer au tennis

Meaning in english:

I don't know how to play tennis

Note: english speakers are aware of (how) in the translation or meaning in english! The english word (how) would mean (comment) in french!Some english speakers would think that (comment) would go after pas and before the infinitive(verb) in this sentence, but it does not at all!Overall, never put (comment) in the middle of savoir+ infinitive. Some of you are probably not clear what is the infinitive. An infinitive means the subsutition of the (verb) follows after another verb. Let's look at an example.

Example II. Tu sais nager!

Meaning in English

You know how to swim

Note: sais is the conguated verb savoir in the sentence

jouer- is the infinitive in the sentence

Additional Note: Never use(comment) middle of savoir + infinitive

Now, dealing with the second part of the verb savoir

2. The verb savoir can be followed by conjuctions in the sentence. Below, here the conjuctions.

The conjuctions
1. ou - meaning in english- where
2. que - meaning in english- that
3. si - meaning in english - so or wheither
4. mais - meaning in english- but
5. pourquoi - meaning in english- why

Let's use an example with one of the conjuctions

Example I.

Je sais que tu vais au resterant

Meaning in english:

I know that you are going to the resterant!

Note: After the conjuating the verb (savoir), the conjuction always follows it in that sentence.

After observing the second part, now here is last part of the verb savoir!

3. The verb savoir also means to know facts,or information!Let's use an example.

Example I.

Nous savons les résultats

Meaning in English:

We know the results

Note: In this sentence, the french word (les résultats) speaks about facts or information! In this sentence(Nous) is a group of people who know the facts or information!

The plural definite article

2010-02-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

Plural definite article in french is called (les)which means( the) in the english language. They are different from singular definite articles as (le),(la),l' The difference with singluar definite articles and the plural definite articles that singular definite requires to masculine or feminine gender, and the vowel to be put in the right place, but plural definite article doesn't require that! However, let's use a couple of sentences using the plural definite article.

First example:

Les- is the plural definite article

gommes- plural noun,but the first letter of the word (g) is a consonant

Vous utilisez les gommes.

Meaning in english

You're using the ecrasers.

Note: While prononcing the definite article, It is important that one never pronounces the last letter in the french word Les, which is (s), and (s) is always silent! This is because the first letter of the word gommes, which is (g) is a consonant!

Second example:

Les - plural definite article

affiches - plural noun, but the first letter of the word (a)is a vowel

Vous regardez les affiches

Meaning in english

You look at the posters!

While pronouncing the definite article in this case, the last letter of the the french word les, which is (s)- it has to be pronounced! This is because the first letter of french word affiches is a vowel, which is (a)! Whenever it is a vowel, it is never silent!

Remember( a i e o u) is never silent while using the plural definite article

Learn to Speak French - Days of the week

2010-02-02T08:19:00.001-08:00

This video is a part where those who are learning french; they can learn and pronounce the days of the week. This person pronounces the days of the week in French very well. In addition. Those who are learning French can now go to prounciation channel for more. There will be more posted so that one can practice their prounciation.

Understanding the pronoun (On)

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The pronoun ( On) is used in the french language. However, it could be as a subsitution of the other pronoun nous! We can understand that ( nous) means We in the english language. Most likely, the prounoun (On) also means (We) in the english language.

Example of the sentence using (On)

On peut acheter les bonbons au supermarché.

Meaning in English

We can buy candy at the supermarket.

The other thing that (On) has another meaning besides( We) in the English language. The other meaning for (On) in the English language means (One). Not saying that it means the number one in the English language, but it speaks about one person, rather it was he or she!

Example:

On doit obéir aux règles du pays

Meaning in english

One must obey the laws of the land

Those who don't know where (on) is supposed to be conguated. It is conguated among with the pronouns( il/elle).Those who don't understand this part. We will use the verb avoir meaning( to have)

j'ai - 1st person singular

tu as - 2nd person singular

Il a - 3rd person singular

Elle a - 3rd person singular

On a - 3rd person singular

Nous avons - lst person plural

Vous avez - 2nd person plural

Ils ont - 3rd person plural

Elles ont- - 3rd person plural

Always remember that (on) is always conguated with the 3 person singular in the verb. It is never congutated for any other forms in the french language.

The difference between ne... pas and ne.... point

2010-01-28T15:14:00.000-08:00

As we have observed the negation ne....pas. There is another negation that is used in the French langauge called ne....point, which means (not). Even though they both mean the same, but there is a difference using these two negations in the French langauge. Overall, it is still used before and after the verb.

I. Ne... point

This negation is rarely used in the French language! This negatation is only used for novels,poems,and in the bible, but it is also the same usage as the negation ne...pas.

Example:

Il ne veux point l'amour- He doesn't want love

As one observes the sentence, (ne) goes before the verb, and point goes directly after the verb.

II ne....pas

The negation ne.... pas is the popular negatation in the french language and can be used before and after the verb. It doesn't have the rule when it's used just as ne... point when it's required.

Example:

Je ne veux pas aller- I don't want to go!