Greetings
formalities
Formal French
Français formel
This index includes a variety of French words, expressions, pronunciations, and grammatical and structures required in formal communciation.
For an explanation of the difference between formal and literary, see What is register?
A1 - Beginning French • formalities • informalities • lesson plans • politeness • travel French
Illustrer – to illustrate; (literary) to bring fame to, make illustrious
Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb illustrer.
conjugation tables • formalities
Indefinite Demonstrative Pronouns
Indefinite demonstrative pronouns (ce, ceci, cela, ça) do not agree with the nouns they replace in gender or number. B1 - Intermediate French • demonstratives • formalities • indefinition • informalities • pronouns
Inversion with je
Inversion with the first person singular je is a little trickier than with other subject pronouns. It's also very formal and therefore rare, so one of those grammar concepts you need to recognize but not necessarily use. accents • C1 - Advanced French • formalities • pronouns • verbs • word order
Inversion with Nouns
Inversion is not limited to pronouns - it can also be done with nouns and proper names, though this is a bit more complicated. formalities • nouns • verbs • word order
Irriter – to irritate, annoy; (literary) to arouse
Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb irriter.
conjugation tables • formalities
Literary Tenses and Moods
French has five past tenses/moods that are restricted to formal, written French. They were once common in spoken French, offering nuances that no longer exist today. Muer – to molt, slough, shed its skin / hair; (voice) to change, break; (formal) to transform
Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb muer.
conjugation tables • formalities
N’est-ce pas
A1 - Beginning French • formalities • questions
Ne explétif
Don't worry, it's not a swear word. In French, explétif is a grammatical term that serves only to draw attention to what precedes it. B2 - Upper-Intermediate French • formalities • negation
Ne littéraire
In formal, usually written French, there are certain verbs and constructions that can be made negative with just ne - the inclusion of pas or some other negative word is not required. C1 - Advanced French • formalities • negation
Neuter Object Pronoun
The object pronoun le can be used impersonally to replace intangibles like adjectives, verbs, and clauses. Obséder – to obsess, haunt; (literary) to pester
Simple and compound conjugations for the stem-changing French verb obséder.
conjugation tables • formalities
Obvier (literary) – to take precautions, overcome, obviate
Simple and compound conjugations for the regular -er French verb obvier.
conjugation tables • formalities
Octroyer (formal) – to grant, bestow
Simple and compound conjugations for the stem-changing French verb octroyer
Unlike other French suffixes, -ci does not create new words, but rather adds additional meaning to the nouns and pronouns it's attached to.
