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?

Expressions

Arriver Expressions

French expressions with arriver
The French verb arriver, "to arrive," is found in many idiomatic expressions, including to get one's way, to be completely irrelevant, and to get into trouble. Learn these and dozens of other French expressions featuring arriver.

   

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Expressions

Au cas où

Au cas où
Maybe you already know the French expression au cas où, but here's a lesson, just in case.

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Expressions

Au pif

Au pif - French idiom
Don't use guesswork - read this lesson to learn how to use the French idiom au pif.

   

Grammar Lessons

Avoiding Inversion

French avoiding inversionInversion is an essential verbal structure, but because it's formal, it can make your French sound overly fussy. So outside of formal situations like job interviews and journalism, you need to know your options. Here are the most common ways to use inversion and grammatically correct ways to avoid it.

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Expressions

Avoir du chien

Avoir du chien
You'll become more attractive if you read this lesson on the idiomatic French expression avoir du chien.