French Grammar
- Created by: Jess
- Created on: 13-04-15 13:23
Meaning(s) of 'depuis'
For, since
1 of 128
Meaning(s) of 'depuis que'
For
2 of 128
What 2 tenses are used with depuis/depuis que for continuing events?
Present or imperfect
3 of 128
What 2 tenses are used with depuis/depuis que for completed events?
Perfect or pluperfect
4 of 128
What does depuis introduce?
A reference to a date, event or period of time
5 of 128
What does depuis que introduce?
An event whose consequences are ongoing at the time it is being reported
6 of 128
Negatives with depuis/depuis que are always what type of events? (completed or continuous)
Completed
7 of 128
If the meaning of depuis/depuis que is 'for', which is the only one (depuis or depuis que) you can use?
Depuis
8 of 128
Future tense endings
ai, as, a, ons, ez, ont
9 of 128
Conditional tense endings
ais, ais, ait, ions, iez, aient
10 of 128
3 times you would use the future tense
1. Describe event in the future / 2. Polite alternative to the imperative to give orders / 3. Equivalent of 'may' when the speaker is speculating about possible causes/outcomes (e.g. elle aura une migraine - she may have a headache)
11 of 128
5 times you would use the conditional tense
1. Describe event which 'would' take place in future / 2. In reported speech to replace the future / 3. State something as an alleged fact / 4. As 'would'/'could' in polite requests / 5. Equivalent of 'might' when speculating about possible causes
12 of 128
Why/when would you use the 'near future' tense (present tense aller plus infinitive)?
To express a greater likelihood of the event taking place
13 of 128
NB. If the tense of the main clause is in the future, the tense of the subordinate cause is in the future - the same goes for the conditional tense
e.g. je vous réglerai dès que je recevrai la facture (I will pay you as soon as I receive the invoice)
14 of 128
How to form the future perfect tense?
Future tense auxiliary of avoir/etre plus past participle
15 of 128
How to form the conditional perfect tense?
Conditional tense auxiliary of avoir/etre plus past participle
16 of 128
What constructions of the infinitive take de?
Impersonal constructions
17 of 128
What constructions of the infinitive take à?
Personal constructions - describing a noun or personal pronoun
18 of 128
À or de? C’était extraordinaire ___ le retrouver
de
19 of 128
À or de? Il est plus simple que jamais ___ construire sa propre maison
de
20 of 128
À or de? Il était difficile ___ déceler l’ironie dans sa voix
de
21 of 128
À or de? Le permis (the subject) de construire est plus difficile ___ obtenir aujourd’hui que par le passé
à
22 of 128
À or de? Sa voix était difficile ___ reconnaître
à
23 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...jamais'?
never
24 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...pas'?
not
25 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...personne'?
nobody
26 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...plus'?
no more/longer
27 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...que'?
only
28 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...rien'?
nothing
29 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...ni...ni'?
neither...nor
30 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...nulle parte'?
nowhere
31 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...aucun(e)'?
none
32 of 128
Meaning of 'ne...guère'?
hardly/not much/scarcely
33 of 128
Which negatives go before the past participle and before the infinitive?
pas, plus, rien, jamais, guère
34 of 128
Which negatives go after the past participle and after the infinitive?
personne, que, aucun(e), ni...ni, nulle parte
35 of 128
Which 3 negators always come first when there is multiple negation?
pas, plus, jamais
36 of 128
In which 3 situations do you use 'ne' alone?
1. In clauses dependent on comparatives / 2. After conjunctions / 3. In clauses dependent on verbs
37 of 128
Example with 'ne' used alone in 1. a comparative
c’est plus difficile que je ne le pensais
38 of 128
5 conjunctions that you can use 'ne' on its own after
avant que, à moins que, de crainte que, de peur que, sans que
39 of 128
3 verbs that you can use 'ne' on its own after
craindre, éviter que, empêcher que
40 of 128
What tense do you convert a sentence into the passive with?
The same tense as in the active sentence
41 of 128
How to form the passive tense?
Appropriate tense of etre (same as in the active sentence), add past participle, add agreement (gender and number), add par or de
42 of 128
What must you always always always always remember with the passive tense?
TO ADD AGREEMENT
43 of 128
When do you use 'par' after the passive tense?
Generally with active things
44 of 128
When do you use 'de' after the passive tense?
Descriptions/states, attitudes, feelings,
45 of 128
3 ways to avoid using the passive
1. Use 'on' / 2. Use a reflexive / 3. Use se voir + infinitive (e.g. elle s'est vu décerner la médaille)
46 of 128
Par or de? Joe a été accosté ___ un homme au cours d’une livraison de routine
par
47 of 128
Par or de? Feu Monsieur le Maire n’était pas aimé ___ tout le monde
de
48 of 128
Par or de? L’histoire de la ville avant le XVe siècle n’est connue ___ personne
de
49 of 128
In what 2 situations do you use the perfect tense?
1. For completed actions / 2. For sequential actions (happening one after the other)
50 of 128
In what 5 situations do you use the imperfect tense?
1. Actions without a start or finish / 2. Ongoing states or events that are in progress / 3. Descriptions / 4. Actions happening in the background / 5. Repeated or habitual actions
51 of 128
Name the possible past tenses
Perfect, imperfect, pluperfect, past historic, past anterior
52 of 128
In what 4 situations do you use the perfect tense?
1. When referring to a past event before another past event described by past historic / 2. In texts alongside past historic / 3. In a time clause (if main verb is in the past historic) / 4. With some phrases and adverbs
53 of 128
9 phrases that are used with the past anterior
lorsque, quand, aussitôt que, dès que, sitôt que, des lors que, tant que, une fois que, après que
54 of 128
What type of adverbs is the past anterior used with (and 2 examples)?
Adverbs expressing the idea of urgency (e.g. vite/bientôt)
55 of 128
Meaning of lorsque
when
56 of 128
Meaning of aussitôt que
As soon as
57 of 128
Meaning of une fois que
Once
58 of 128
Meaning of tant que
as long as
59 of 128
Meaning of des lors que
as soon as
60 of 128
Meaning of dès que
as soon as
61 of 128
When do you use the past historic tense?
Completed events in the past that have no relevance to the present, written/very formal French, as a narrative in a story, for repeated events, for events that take a long time
62 of 128
What 2 questions do you have to ask yourself to decide what past tense to use?
1. Is is in the present or past? / 2. Is it completed or continuous
63 of 128
Tense used for events that are: present and continuous?
Present
64 of 128
Tense used for events that are: past and continuous?
Imperfect
65 of 128
Tense used for events that are: present and complete?
Perfect
66 of 128
Tense used for events that are: past and complete?
Pluperfect
67 of 128
Imperfect tense endings
ais, ais, ait, ions, iez, aient
68 of 128
How to form the imperfect tense?
Present tense 'nous' form of verb, remove -ons, add endings
69 of 128
How to form the pluperfect tense?
Imperfect tense of avoir/etre, add past participle, add agreement (if etre used)
70 of 128
When do you use the pluperfect tense?
When referring to events occurring before events being narrated using the perfect/past historic
71 of 128
How to form the past anterior tense?
Past historic auxiliary of avoir or etre, add past participle, add agreement (if etre is used)
72 of 128
-er verb endings for past historic tense
ai, as, a, âmes, âtes, èrent
73 of 128
-ir/-re verb endings for past historic tense
is, is, is, îmes, iîtes, irent
74 of 128
-oir verb endings for past historic tense
us, us, ut, ûmes, ûtes, urent
75 of 128
Formation of -er verbs in the past historic tense
Nous form of present tense, remove -ons, add endings
76 of 128
Formation of -ir/-re/-oir verbs in the past historic tense
Take the past participle of the verb, remove the final vowel, add endings
77 of 128
Stem of être in the past historic tense? What verb pattern does it follow?
f-, follows -oir
78 of 128
Stem of avoir in the past historic tense? What verb pattern does it follow?
e-, follows -oir
79 of 128
Stem of faire in the past historic tense? What verb pattern does it follow?
f-, follows -ir/-re
80 of 128
When do you use lequel?
To replace an indirect object, only if the object is a thing not a person
81 of 128
4 forms of lequel
lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles
82 of 128
When do you use dont?
To replace an indirect object, when the preposition is de
83 of 128
When do you use duquel?
To replace an indirect object (thing not person) instead of dont: when the preposition 'de' is part of a prepositional phrase
84 of 128
4 forms of duquel
duquel, de laquelle, desquels, desquelles
85 of 128
3 prepositional phrases you can use with duquel
à côté de, en faveur de, au lieu de
86 of 128
When do you use où?
To replace a place or moment in time
87 of 128
What to you have to remember when using relative pronouns?
You must make the verb agree - e.g. J’ai rencontré une collègue que je n’avais pas VUE depuis 1996.
88 of 128
3 si-clause combinations
1. Present-future / 2. Conditional-imperfect / 3. Conditional perfect-pluperfect
89 of 128
3 meanings of 'si' if it used to introduce an indirect question
If, whether, when
90 of 128
Meaning of 'si' if it is used to introduce a hypothetical clause
If (CANNOT MEAN WHETHER)
91 of 128
If si is used to introduce a hypothetical clause (what might have happened but didn't), what tense can you use?
Whatever tense makes sense
92 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the present tense?
Present --> Imperfect
93 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the future tense?
Future --> conditional
94 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the future perfect tense?
Future perfect --> conditional perfect
95 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the past historic tense?
Past historic --> pluperfect
96 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the perfect tense?
Perfect --> pluperfect
97 of 128
What is the change from direct to reported speech when the direct speech is in the imperfect tense?
Imperfect --> pluperfect
98 of 128
What do you also have to remember to change when converting from direct to reported speech?
Time phrases/adverbs (e.g. 'tomorrow' becomes 'the following day')
99 of 128
N.B. REMEMBER TO ADD AGREEMENTS WHEN GOING FROM DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH
X
100 of 128
N.B. The reporting clauses (e.g. dire que, expliquer que...) normally stay in the same tense in the direct and reported speech
X
101 of 128
How to form the present subjunctive?
Ils/elles form of present tense, remove -ent, add endings
102 of 128
Subjunctive endings
e, es, e, ions, iez, ent
103 of 128
Subjunctive stem of faire?
fass-
104 of 128
Subjunctive stem of pouvoir?
puiss-
105 of 128
Subjunctive stem of savoir?
sach-
106 of 128
What is the 'partially irregular' formation of the present subjunctive?
(NB. Follows regular rules for je/tu/il/ils forms) Take present nous form, remove -ons, add regular subjunctive endings (-ions, -iez)
107 of 128
Which verbs follow the 'partially irregular' present subjunctive?
Boire, envoyer, prendre, venir, devoir, recevoir, mourir, croire, voir, tenir
108 of 128
Present subjunctive conjugation of avoir
aie, aies, ait, ayons, ayez, aient
109 of 128
Present subjunctive conjugation of être
sois, sois, soit, soyons, soyez, soient
110 of 128
Present subjunctive conjugation of aller
aille, ailles, aille, allions, alliez, aillent
111 of 128
Present subjunctive conjugation of vouloir
veuille, veuilles, veuille, voulions, vouliez, veuillent
112 of 128
7 uses of the subjunctive tense
1. Personal feelings about an event / 2. Some verbs in negatives / 3. Presenting an event as unlikely / 4. Phrases for hypothetical situations / 5. Some time phrases / 6. Superlatives / 7. Indefinite expressions (qui que, quoi que...)
113 of 128
List types of personal feelings that you use the subjunctive with
Doubt, regret, happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, want
114 of 128
Which 5 verbs/phrases take the subjunctive when given in a negative form?
Dire, penser, croire, avoir l'impression que, il me semble que
115 of 128
4 phrases that take the subjunctive when they describe hypothetical situations
Pour que, à moins que, bien que, pourvu que
116 of 128
Meaning of pour que
so that
117 of 128
Meaning of à moins que
Unless
118 of 128
Meaning of pourvu que
Provided that
119 of 128
2 time phrases that take the subjunctive
avant que, jusqu'à ce que (both meaning until)
120 of 128
Superlatives that take the subjunctive
meilleur, dernier (last), premier, seul (only), personne, rien, le plus/le moins...
121 of 128
4 'indefinite' expressions that take the subjunctive
qui que, quoi que, où que, quel(le/s) que
122 of 128
Meaning of qui que
anyone
123 of 128
Meaning of quoi que
whatever
124 of 128
Meaning of où que
Wherever
125 of 128
Meaning of quel(le/s) que
Whatever
126 of 128
2 other phrases that take the subjunctive
Il est indispensable que, il semble que
127 of 128
5 phrases that don't use the subjunctive
Il est probable que, espérer que, avoir l'impression que (in positive), garantir que (to guarantee that), vu que (given that)
128 of 128
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Meaning(s) of 'depuis que'
Back
For
Card 3
Front
What 2 tenses are used with depuis/depuis que for continuing events?
Back
Card 4
Front
What 2 tenses are used with depuis/depuis que for completed events?
Back
Card 5
Front
What does depuis introduce?
Back
Related discussions on The Student Room
- French GCSE »
- Applying for competitive UNIS (ALEVELS/SIXTH FORM SCHOOL CHOICE) »
- Learning French again when you have receptive bilingualism »
- Revision tips on science, music, french and religious studies please. »
- Should I move schools for Year 11? »
- French A-level »
- how to learn new languages? »
- A level preparatory work »
- A-level French »
- A-level French / languages and degrees »
Similar French resources:
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
0.0 / 5
Comments
Report
Report
Report
Report
Report
Report