In the last episode of this series, I'll clarify the rules of agreement of the past participle with reflexive verbs in French. This rule is a little bit more advanced and requires some notions of grammar: you need to know how reflexive verbs work (see the links below for brush-up) and what direct/indirect objects and pronouns are. Some native French people don’t make the proper agreement of the past participle with reflexive verbs because the rule can be tricky - I sometimes find myself hesitating a lot too! Let’s see if YOU can get it right after my easy tips ? FYW 106 : "Je me lave, vous … Read More →
FYW 171 : French verbs: agreement of the past participle with AVOIR (compound tenses, part 4)
In this episode, I’ll clarify the rules of agreement of the past participle with AVOIR. This rule is a little bit more advanced and requires basic notions of grammar: you need to know what subjects, direct objects and direct object pronouns are. Some native French people don’t make the proper agreement of the past participle with AVOIR because they’re not aware of the rule – but the agreement of the past participle is NOT optional, so basically they are making French grammar mistakes. Let’s see if YOU can get it right after my easy tips ? In the next part dedicated to this series about … Read More →
FYW 167 : French verbs – agreement of the past participle with ETRE (compound tenses, part 3)
Did you know that the past participles may need to take an extra "E" and/or "S" in some cases? That is when they are being used as adjectives, but also in some specific situations in compound tenses. In this episode, I’ll clarify the rules of agreement of the past participle with ETRE. In the next part dedicated to this series about compound tenses, we'll see the rules of agreements of the past participles with the auxiliary AVOIR. Previous episodes in the series: Episode 164: French verbs: past participles (compound tenses, part 1): frenchyourway.com.au/podcast164 Episode 165: … Read More →
FYW 165 : French Verbs – How to choose between ETRE and AVOIR (compound tenses, part 2)
how to choose between ETRE and AVOIR auxiliaries when you want to conjugate a French verb in the passé composé…or any other compound tense! There’s an easy way to know and get it right every time you conjugate those dreaded French verbs! In the next part dedicated to this series about compound tenses, we’ll see the rules of agreements of the past participles with the auxiliary ETRE. Previous episode in the series: Episode 164: French verbs: past participles (compound tenses, part 1): frenchyourway.com.au/podcast164 Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this … Read More →
FYW 164 : French verbs: past participles (compound tenses, part 1)
Find out why it is important to know the past participles of your French verbs. I’ll also, of course, give you tips to help remember past participles form more easily. In the next part dedicated to this series about compound tenses, we’ll see how to choose between the ETRE and AVOIR French auxiliaries. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode avoir (eu) Ouvrir (ouvert), souffrir (souffert), offrir (offert) Mourir (mort) Un enfant attendu/désiré Des devoirs finis Un cahier jauni par le temps Une ville bien équipée et aménagée Des feuilles mortes LINKS and … Read More →
FYW 154 : French expressions using the verb FAIRE (Part 2)
The French verb FAIRE is extremely common and used in a wide range of expressions – not only idiomatic expressions. Boost your French vocabulary by learning or brushing up French expressions using the verb FAIRE. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Ça fait combien? Ça fait 5,60 euros SVP Faire des économies Le vent dans les feuilles fait du bruit. Nous avons fait ces 200 km en 2 heures. L’homme recherché fait/mesure environ 1,85m Le bebe pesait/faisait 3kg à sa naissance. Aujourd’hui, les téléphones font aussi appareil photo, GPS, calculette, etc Ne … Read More →
FYW 153 : French expressions using the verb FAIRE (Part 1)
The French verb FAIRE is extremely common and used in a wide range of expressions – not only idiomatic expressions. Boost your French vocabulary by learning or brushing up French expressions using the verb FAIRE. I’ll also remind you about the irregular conjugation of the verb FAIRE! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Qu’est-ce que tu fais? J'écoute de la musique. faire un gâteau, faire une tarte aux pommes, faire un dessin, faire un bonnet/une écharpe Faire une erreur, faire un vœu (present) je fais, tu fais, il fait, nous faisons, vous faites, ils … Read More →
FYW 147 : How to translate the English “DO” in French?
If you're confused about how to translate "DO" in "Don’t you want to do that?" or "I don’t know", this episode is for you! I'll give you helpful tips on how to choose the right verb for your sentence and will even expand on your new skill...then you’ll be able to test yourself with a short exercise! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Faire = to do, to make Il n'aime pas le chocolat. Il aime le chocolat? I do my homework = Je fais mes devoirs. I don’t do my homework = Je ne fais pas mes devoirs Tu ne veux pas (Vous ne voulez pas) faire ça ? = … Read More →
FYW 070 : Introduction to French Grammar (Part 2): adjectives, adverbs, pronouns
This second episode about French grammar will explain what adjectives, adverbs and pronouns are in order to make learning French easier for you ...and you may find that you’re starting to reflect on how English language works too! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Check out my article (and get the free worksheet) LINKS and RESOURCES My article + free worksheet - “Introduction to French grammar: what type of word is this?” Introduction to French Grammar (Part 1): articles, nouns and verbs: frenchyourway.com.au/podcast69 My article - “Challenge: Can I … Read More →
FYW 069 : Introduction to French Grammar (Part 1): articles, nouns and verbs
This episode about French grammar will be divided into 2 parts. It's an audio version of an article I wrote and published on my website (www.frenchyourway.com.au ) which has helped many students cover the basics of French grammar, that is to say: what's an article, a noun, a verb. (some of you haven’t learnt it at school). Believe me, this will help you with your French…and you may find that you’re starting to reflect on how English language works too! If you are a grammar-phobic person, I suggest you start by listening to episode 61 of this podcast, where I explain why it is important to … Read More →