E-Book Overview
It's time for a new approach to learning French verbs. Unlike popular verb guides that require the rote memorization of hundreds of verb forms, this book clearly explains the rules that govern the conjugation of all classes of French verbs--especially the irregular ones that give second-language learners the most trouble. These straightforward, easy-to-understand rules for conjugating French verbs are effective learning tools for both beginning students and more advanced speakers who want to perfect their usage of French verb forms. French Verbs Made Simple(r) has many helpful features that you won't find in any other verb guide: Clear explanations of all verb tenses and forms. The simple patterns and rules that govern the conjugation of all verbs--including those verbs whose irregularities follow patterns that can be easily learned. A detailed discussion of how each verb form is used, with numerous examples. A full explanation of whether a verb should be conjugated with avoir or ?tre, and the conditions under which the past participle is variable--two of the thorniest problems for students of French. An extended treatment of the subjunctive that will help you understand why it is used in some situations but not others. Complete conjugations for 57 basic model verbs (along with 27 "variants") and a comprehensive listing of some 6,200 verbs that indicates which of the models each verb follows. Going well beyond any other guide in the clarity and detail of its explanations--as well as the innovative manner in which individual verbs are linked to model conjugations--French Verbs Made Simple(r) is the only guide to French verbs a learner needs.
E-Book Content
00a-T3722-FM 5/4/06 11:57 AM Page i French Verbs Made Simple(r) THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 00a-T3722-FM 5/4/06 11:57 AM Page iii David Brodsky MADE French VERBS Simple(r) University of Texas Press Austin 00a-T3722-FM 5/4/06 11:57 AM Page iv Copyright © 2006 by the University of Texas Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America First edition, 2006 Requests for permission to reproduce material from this work should be sent to: Permissions, University of Texas Press, P.O. Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819 www.utexas.edu /utpress/about /bpermission.html The paper used in this book meets the minimum requirements of ANSI / NISO Z39.48-1992 (R1997) (Permanence of Paper). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Brodsky, David, 1950 – French verbs made simple(r) / David Brodsky.—1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN-13: 978-0-292-71472-4 ISBN-10: 0-292-71472-6 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. French language—Verb. 2. French language— Textbooks for foreign speakers— English. I. Title: French verbs made simple. II. Title: French verbs made simpler. III. Title. PC2271.B76 2006 448.2 421— dc22 2005030902 00a-T3722-FM 5/4/06 11:57 AM Page v For Daniel, Michael, and Beatriz THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 00a-T3722-FM 5/4/06 11:57 AM Page vii Contents Preface ix Introduction 1 PA R T I . F O R M S O F V ER B S 1. Present Tense 11 2. Imperfect Tense and Present Participle 39 3. Past Participle 45 4. Simple Past (Passé Simple) 55 5. Future and Conditional Tenses 63 6. Subjunctive and Imperative 69 7. Compound Verb Forms 77 8. Orthographic Modifications 83 9. Summary 96 PA R T I I . USES OF VERBS 10. Indicative 103 11. Present and Past Subjunctive 137 12. Simple Past and Imperfect Subjunctive 163 PA R T I I I . A N N EX ES A. Model Verbs, with Complete Conjugations 175 B. Alpha