Expressions

Using Impersonal Expressions

Using French impersonal expressionsImpersonal expressions use an impersonal subject: "it" in English, and il or ce in French. The meaning of the two French pronouns is identical, but ce is a bit informal and therefore more common when speaking, whereas il is more common in writing.

   

Grammar Lessons

Faire à fond

Faire - French verbFaire is one of the most common and important French verbs. It generally means “to do” or “to make,” but can also mean “to be” and is found in numerous idioms as well as the causative construction. Today’s issue of Lawless French à fond takes an in-depth look at everything you can do and all the phrases you can make with faire.

   

   

Learn French

Independent Study

French independent studyLearning French on your own? Lawless French is packed with lessons and tips which you can supplement with other resources to study independently as efficiently as possible.

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.

  •  

Listening Practice

Simone, la voix de la SNCF

French train
Ever wondered about the face behind the voice you hear at every train station and on every train in France? Find out about the woman who has been recording those announcements for 40 years in this video with transcript and translation.

   

Expressions

Social Niceties

French social niceties
Traveling can be fun and exciting, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One of those is learning about and following local customs, such as knowing what to say in any given social situation. Here are some essential French phrases with links to detailed lessons.

   

Grammar Lessons

À vs de after Verbs

French prepositionsThe prepositions à and de are found in many verbal constructions that look very similar, but the choice of preposition makes all the difference.

  •