French for English Speakers: 5 Grammar Rules You Must Know
French for English Speakers: 5 Grammar Rules You Must Know
Learning French can feel like a natural next step for an English speaker. So many words look familiar. But grammar is a different story. The rules that structure the language often trip up learners. Understanding a few key differences early on will save you a lot of confusion.
Here are five essential grammar rules to get you started on the right foot.
1. Nouns Have Genders
In English, nouns are just nouns. In French, every single noun is either masculine or feminine. This is a fundamental concept that affects other words in the sentence.
There’s no perfect logic to it. Why is a book (*un livre*) masculine but a table (*une table*) feminine? You just have to learn it along with the word itself. A good tip is to always learn new vocabulary with its article – *le* for masculine, *la* for feminine.
This gender agreement doesn't stop with the noun. The adjectives that describe the noun must also match its gender. For example, a small boy is *un petit garçon*. A small girl is *une petite fille*. Notice the extra 'e' on *petite*? That’s agreement in action.
2. Adjective Placement is Often Reversed
You’re used to putting the adjective before the noun. A red car. A big house. French often does the opposite.
In many cases, the adjective comes after the noun. *Une voiture rouge* (a car red). *Une maison grande* (a house big).
But wait. It’s not always that simple. Some common adjectives, especially short ones, usually go before the noun. These often relate to beauty, age, goodness, and size (you can remember the acronym BAGS). For instance, *un beau jardin* (a beautiful garden), *un vieux livre* (an old book), *une bonne idée* (a good idea). For most other adjectives, the rule of thumb is: after the noun.
3. Conjugate Your Verbs (All the Time)
English verb conjugation is relatively simple. For most verbs, you just add an 's' for he/she/it: I talk, you talk, he talks. French conjugation is more detailed. The verb ending changes for every subject pronoun.
Take the verb *parler* (to speak):
This happens in every tense. It’s a lot to memorize, but it’s non-negotiable. Start with the present tense of common regular verbs (-er, -ir, -re) and the most essential irregular verbs like *être* (to be) and *avoir* (to have).
4. Master the Two Most Important Verbs: Être and Avoir
These two verbs are the backbone of French. *Être* (to be) and *Avoir* (to have) are not only essential for everyday communication, but they are also used as auxiliary verbs to form past tenses.
The past tense (the passé composé) is like saying "I have eaten" instead of "I ate." But in French, you need to know which auxiliary verb to use. Most verbs use *avoir*. But a significant number of verbs, often relating to movement or state of being, use *être*.
For example: J'ai mangé. (I have eaten. - uses *avoir) Je suis allé. (I have gone. - uses *être)
This is a crucial rule to learn early. Verbs that use *être* also require agreement with the subject, adding another layer. It’s a key difference from English.
5. Navigate the World of Formal and Informal "You"
English has one word for "you." French has two: *tu* and *vous*.
Tu is informal. You use it with friends, family, children, and peers. Vous is formal. Use it with strangers, people in positions of authority, and generally anyone you don't know well. It’s also the plural "you" for addressing more than one person, regardless of familiarity.
Using the wrong one can be a social misstep. When in doubt, especially in a shop or with someone older, start with *vous*. It’s the safer, more polite option. The person may then invite you to use *tu*.
These five rules are the foundation. They might seem challenging at first, but they will quickly become second nature with practice. Focus on them. Your French will be much stronger for it.