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French paraphrases: say the same thing with different words

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Practise six French source-and-paraphrase pairs, then choose faithful answer options. Keep obligation, possibility, actor, time and degree intact as the wording changes.

In short

A faithful paraphrase changes the wording while keeping the claim. L’inscription est obligatoire becomes il faut s’inscrire. Keep who acts, when, how certain the statement is and any limits: changing réduire to supprimer changes the message.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learnRed watch out

A volunteer welcomes a new participant at a community workshop registration desk, with simple craft supplies in the room beyond.
The scene gives il faut s’inscrire a practical meaning. Illustration: Atelier

Use the phrase filters to show the source sentences or your reformulations. Read one source, say its meaning in another way, then compare. The six pairs change structure as well as vocabulary. In each pair, the note names the detail that must survive.

1

A noun becomes an action

Preserve both cost and obligation.

SourceL’inscription est gratuite, mais obligatoire.Registration is free, but compulsory.
YouIl faut s’inscrire, mais on ne paie rien.You must register, but you pay nothing.
2

Possibility stays possible

Keep certains and the uncertainty expressed by pourraient.

SourceCertains cours pourraient avoir lieu en ligne le mois prochain.Some classes might take place online next month.
YouIl est possible qu’une partie des cours se déroule en ligne le mois prochain.It is possible that some of the classes will take place online next month.
3

Reduction keeps something in place

A smaller number remains different from abolition.

SourceL’association souhaite réduire le nombre de réunions.The association wants to reduce the number of meetings.
YouL’association voudrait organiser moins de réunions.The association would like to hold fewer meetings.
4

The passive keeps the actor

Change the sentence focus while keeping who did the action.

SourceNora a confirmé l’inscription de Malik.Nora confirmed Malik’s registration.
YouL’inscription de Malik a été confirmée par Nora.Malik’s registration was confirmed by Nora.
5

Keep the order of events

Avant and après describe the same order from different starting points.

SourceLéa a envoyé sa demande avant de recevoir le programme.Léa sent her request before receiving the programme.
YouLéa a reçu le programme après avoir envoyé sa demande.Léa received the programme after sending her request.
6

A new date keeps the event alive

Postponement moves the event to a later time.

SourceLa réunion prévue jeudi est reportée à vendredi.The meeting planned for Thursday is postponed until Friday.
YouLa réunion aura lieu vendredi au lieu de jeudi.The meeting will take place on Friday instead of Thursday.

How do you spot a paraphrase in a French exam?

A familiar topic can carry a different claim
Source wordingChanged wordingMeaning changed
réduire le nombresupprimer toutes les réunionsFewer becomes none
pourraient avoir lieuauront lieuPossibility becomes certainty
avant de recevoiraprès avoir reçuThe event order reverses
Question 1No account needed
Choose the faithful paraphrase.La participation au débat est facultative.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Chacun peut choisir de participer ou non.. Facultative gives a choice. The first option keeps that choice; the others introduce an obligation or a ban.

Question 2No account needed
Keep the possibility and the limited group.Quelques participants envisagent de partir plus tôt.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Certains participants pensent partir avant l’heure prévue.. Envisagent describes a contemplated action by a limited group. The third option keeps that status rather than confirming everyone’s departure.

Question 3No account needed
Keep the actor.Le programme a été envoyé par Inès à Nora.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Inès a envoyé le programme à Nora.. Par Inès identifies the sender. À Nora identifies the recipient, and the active version must keep those roles.

Question 4No account needed
Keep the order.Malik a relu sa réponse, puis il l’a envoyée.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Malik a relu sa réponse avant de l’envoyer.. Rereading comes first and sending second. The first option expresses that same sequence with avant de.

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