Institutional wording · eight rules
1 · 1 · Obligatoire imposes a requirement
The adjective identifies something people must do or provide in the stated context.
L’inscription préalable est obligatoire.Registration in advance is compulsory.
2 · 2 · Facultatif leaves participation optional
The institution offers a choice. A person can decline the named activity or leave an optional field blank.
La participation à la discussion est facultative.Taking part in the discussion is optional.
3 · 3 · Autorisé grants permission
Permission tells you an action is allowed. It does not itself instruct everyone to perform that action.
Les échanges entre participants sont autorisés pendant la pause.Participants may talk to each other during the break.
4 · 4 · Recommandé gives advice
The wording encourages an action. In this explicit contrast, the sentence itself stops short of making it compulsory.
Il est recommandé de relire sa réponse avant l’envoi.It is recommended that you reread your answer before submitting it.
5 · 5 · Agree with the named subject
The adjective follows the gender and number of the subject: une inscription obligatoire, des activités facultatives.
Les réponses aux deux dernières questions sont facultatives.Answers to the last two questions are optional.
6 · 6 · Keep impersonnel il singular
With il est + adjective + de + infinitive, use masculine singular. The infinitive names the action.
Il est autorisé de modifier son choix avant validation.You may change your choice before confirming it.
7 · 7 · Read exceptions and limits
Uniquement, sauf and a time expression delimit the rule’s scope. Permission outside that scope must be checked separately.
La modification est autorisée uniquement avant la validation.Changes are permitted only before confirmation.
8 · 8 · A polite request can still instruct
Veuillez + infinitive and merci de + infinitive often give instructions. Friendly wording alone tells you little about whether a procedure is optional.
Veuillez confirmer votre présence avant vendredi.Please confirm your attendance before Friday.