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This comprehensive manual thoroughly covers every aspect of French grammar, from the basic to the most advanced level, and illustrates the grammatical structures with useful, practical and interesting examples. Up-to-date language and usage both on the formal and on the informal level is paired with cultural information about France, making the study of grammar a pleasant experience. The book offers its users clear and detailed explanations, as well as the opportunity to practice their reading, writing and speaking skills in numerous oral and written exercises, which include translations, suggestions for communicative activities with a partner, and topics for written composition. A Complete French Grammar for Reference and Practice can be used as a classroom text in intermediate and advanced courses, as well as for reference and self-study. It is a reliable source of information for teachers and students alike, and addresses all those learners who want to speak and write French correctly.
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A COMPLETE FRENCH GRAMMAR FOR REFERENCE AND PRACTICE
Trudie Maria Booth
University Press of America,® Inc. Lanham • Boulder · New York · Toronto · Plymouth, UK
Copyright © 2010 by University Press of America,® Inc. 4501 Forbes Boulevard Suite 200 Lanham, Maryland 20706 UPA Acquisitions Department (301) 459-3366 Estover Road Plymouth PL6 7PY United Kingdom All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America British Library Cataloging in Publication Information Available Library of Congress Control Number: 2009939712 ISBN: 978-0-7618-4971-1 (paperback: alk. paper) eiSBN: 978-0-7618-4972-8
9"'
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992
Contents (Table des Matieres)
Chapter 1
Acknowledgements
vii
Preface
ix
Numbers Cardinal numbers Ordinal numbers Approximate numbers Telling time Days, months, seasons, dates Fractions demi and moitie
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
ChapterS
1
5 7 8 10 13 14
The Present Indicative
17
Regular verbs Verbs ending in -er Verbs with spelling changes Verbs ending in -ir Verbs ending in -re The negative form The interrogative form Irregular verbs The uses of the present indicative The close future and the recent past Problem verbs Idiomatic expressions Impersonal verbs
17 17 19
22 22 23 23 24
29 30 31 37 44
Pronominal Verbs
47
Regular pronominal verbs Irregular pronominal verbs The use of pronominal verbs with parts of the body Reciprocal verbs Pronominal constructions with a passive meaning
47 50
52
The Imperative
55
Regular forms of the imperative The negative imperative Irregular forms of the imperative The imperative of pronominal verbs
55 56 56 57
The Passe Compose
59
The passe compose of verbs conjugated with avoir The passe compose of verbs conjugated with etre The passe compose of verbs conjugated with avoir and etre The passe compose of pronominal verbs The uses of the passe compose
59 64
53 53
65 66
69
Contents
iv
Chapter 6
Chapter7
Chapter 8
Chapter9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
The Imperfect
71
The formation of the imperfect The uses of the imperfect The imperfect versus the passe compose
71 73
The Pluperfect and the Passe Simple
81
The formation of the pluperfect The uses of the pluperfect The passe simple The formation of the passe simple The uses of t