informalities

Informal French

French informality

Français familier

This index includes a variety of French words, expressions, pronunciations, and grammatical and structures reserved for informal communication.

For an explanation of the difference between informal, familiar, and slang see What is register?

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Expressions

Il pleut des cordes

Pleuvoir des cordes
Whether or not it's raining cats and dogs, now is the perfect time for you to learn the French expression il pleut des cordes.

   

Expressions

Il y a

Il y a
There are few expressions more useful than il y a, the French equivalent of "there is/are" and "ago."

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Grammar Lessons

Informal Negation

Informal French negationThe rule is that to make a French verb negative, you need ne in front of the verb and pas after it. The reality of how the French speak says otherwise.

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Fun with French

Informal Pronouns

French informal pronounsPronoun usage and pronunciation varies greatly between formal and informal French. Much of what you learn at school is formal and doesn't reflect how French is actually spoken. If you want to sound more French in informal situations—not to mention understand what you hear—you need to be aware of these pronoun differences.

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