Modern French Grammar

A Practical Guide

Margaret Lang, Isabelle Perez

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2004
• ISBN:
  9781134323012
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Languages
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

This new edition of the Modern French Grammar is an innovative reference guide to French, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume. Divided into two parts, Part A covers traditional grammatical categories such as word order, nouns, verbs and adjectives and Part B is organized around language functions and notions such as:

• giving and seeking information
• describing processes and results
• expressing likes, dislikes and preferences.

With a strong emphasis on contemporary usage, all grammar points and functions are richly illustrated with examples. Implementing feedback from users of the first edition of the Grammar, this second edition includes clearer explanations and greater emphasis on areas of particular difficulty for learners of French.

This is the ideal reference grammar for learners of French at all levels, from beginner to advanced. No prior knowledge of grammatical terminology is assumed and a glossary of grammatical terms is provided. This Grammar is complemented by the Modern French Grammar Workbook Second Edition which features related exercises and activities.

Verb tables

The following tables contain a selection of verbs from the four main conjugations (-er, -ir, -re and -oir infinitives) and some of the irregular verbs in frequent use. The principal parts of the verb included are: the present infinitive, the participles, the present, future, imperfect, past historic, perfect and conditional tenses, the imperatives, and the present tense of the subjunctive. The six parts of each of the tenses correspond to the first, second and third persons singular (je, tu, il/elle/on) and plural (nous, vous, ils/elles). The reflexive verb s’asseoir is given with its reflexive pronouns, and both the positive and negative forms of its imperative are included. The first and third persons of the imperfect subjunctive and the first person singular of the perfect and pluperfect subjunctive are given.

Guidelines on the formation of simple tenses are given in sections 24.2, 25, 26, 27.1, and for the formation of compound tenses, refer to the guidelines on the auxiliary verbs avoir (see 28.1) and être (see 28.2). Remember, once you know the simple tenses of avoir and être and the past participle of the verb you want to use, you can form any of the compound tenses. The perfect infinitive is formed by using the present infinitive of the auxiliary verb and the past participle (see 45).

Three important points to remember:

1 Most French verbs are regular. They conform to the guidelines on formation of tenses. Nevertheless, irregular verbs are in frequent use and verb tables are provided so that students have easy access to a checklist. Most of the irregular verbs are in groups too: when you know mettre, for example, you also know its compounds, and knowing what happens with verbs ending in -indre (see craindre, for example, in the verb tables), means that you have all the verbs with infinitives ending in -indre at your fingertips.

2 Formation of the th...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half Title page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• How to use this book
• Glossary
• Section A Structures
• Section B Functions
• Verb tables
• Index of grammar structures and functions