Mistakes and Difficulties

Overused Verbs

Overused French verbs
If you learned French in a classroom, odds are that you overuse certain French verbs, because you were taught a somewhat generic word but not the sometimes subtle distinctions between it and its synonym. Here are 5 French verbs that are useful but often overused.

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Expressions

Obligation and Necessity

Obligations in French
When you have to do something, you require certain verbs and formulas. Here's the French vocabulary and verbs you need to express obligation and necessity.

Expressions

À la fin

À la fin
Be sure to read this lesson on the French expression à la fin - in the end, you'll find it really useful.

Reading Practice

Metz

Temples à Metz
Metz (Moselle) est une ville aux couleurs vives. C'est un endroit idéal pour ceux qui aiment se balader le long des quais et qui apprécient les écrins de nature en ville.

   

   

Grammar Lessons

Adjectives with Prepositions

French adjectives with prepositionsWhen describing someone as capable of doing or determined to do something, a preposition is required between the adjective and verb. In French, the choice of preposition depends on the adjective that precedes it, not the verb that follows.

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Grammar Lessons

Variable Auxiliary Verbs

Variable French auxiliary verbsAbout two dozen intransitive French verbs require être as their auxiliary in the compound tenses and moods. Of these, eight can be used transitively, and when they are, two things happen.

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Grammar Lessons

Meilleur vs Mieux

Meilleur vs mieuxThe French words meilleur and mieux can be tricky for French students because they are the comparative/superlative forms of the oft-confused words bon and bien, respectively. This lesson is your best bet for gaining a better understanding of this confusing pair.

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Vocabulary Lists

Re- Prefix

French prefix
The French prefix re- can be added to hundreds of verbs to make new verbs. Depending on the first letter of the verb it's added to, re- has a few variations as well as some different meanings.

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