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French certainty vocabulary quiz: possible, probable, certain and sûr

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Try eight questions on possibility, likelihood and confidence. Read short French messages, choose accurate summaries and check certain and sûr agreements.

In short

Possible leaves an outcome open; probable presents it as likely. Certain and sûr can express confidence: Nora est sûre de l’heure. Keep the speaker in your summary, because the sentence tells you what Nora believes.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

An organiser arranges chairs for a workshop while checking a blank phone.
A confirmation settles details that were only possible before. Illustration: Atelier
Study first: meaning and agreement
FrenchMeaningWhat to keep
Un changement est possible.A change is possible.The outcome remains open.
Un changement est probable.A change is likely.The speaker expects it.
Nora est certaine de la date.Nora is certain of the date.Nora’s confidence.
Nora est sûre de la date.Nora is sure of the date.Feminine sûre, with the circumflex.
Certains participants hésitent.Some participants are unsure.Before a plural noun, certains can mean some.
Trois messages avant l’atelier
  1. Lundi · Nora

    Un changement d’horaire est possible.

    A change of time is possible.

  2. Mardi · Malik

    Selon l’organisatrice, un début à onze heures est probable.

    According to the organiser, an eleven o’clock start is likely.

  3. Mercredi · Nora

    Le nouvel horaire est confirmé : nous commençons à onze heures.

    The new time is confirmed: we start at eleven.

Read the messages in order. Monday leaves room for a change. Tuesday adds a likelihood assessment and names its source. Wednesday gives the confirmed time. Keep those stages distinct when you answer; a later message changes what you can say now.

  1. Question 1No account needed
    On Monday, which summary preserves the message?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The time might change.. Possible leaves the change open; Monday gives no definite new time.

  2. Question 2No account needed
    On Tuesday, which word describes an expected outcome?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    probable. Probable presents the later start as likely in the organiser’s assessment.

  3. Question 3No account needed
    Who is the source of Tuesday’s likelihood assessment?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    The organiser.. Selon l’organisatrice explicitly attributes the assessment to the organiser.

  4. Question 4No account needed
    Complete the adjective for Nora.Nora est ___ de la date.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    sûre. The adjective agrees with Nora, so use the feminine singular sûre.

  5. Question 5No account needed
    Complete the adjective for two women.Elles sont ___ de leur réponse.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    certaines. With elles, use the feminine plural form certaines.

  6. Question 6No account needed
    What does certains mean here?Certains participants arrivent tôt.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Some.. Before the plural noun participants, certains means “some”.

  7. Question 7No account needed
    Which summary keeps the speaker’s confidence attached to her?Nora est sûre de l’heure.

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Nora is sure about the time.. The sentence reports Nora’s confidence: keep Nora as the subject.

  8. Question 8No account needed
    By Wednesday, which sentence matches the latest message?

    Choose one answer.

    Answer and explanation

    Nous commençons à onze heures.. Wednesday confirms an eleven o’clock start; it gives no cancellation.

What is the difference between possible, probable, certain and sûr?

Try a new message: Un changement de date est probable, mais rien n’est confirmé. A faithful update is “A date change is likely, but nothing is confirmed.” Keep both halves. The second clause tells your listener that the decision is still open.

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