How to write clear French instructions: a worked example

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Write French instructions with consistent imperative or infinitive forms. Follow a form-return example, check pronouns and practise three short questions.

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In short

Use an imperative such as Vérifiez when you address the reader, or an infinitive such as Vérifier for a neutral list of steps. Keep the same format throughout and name what the reader must check, sign and send.

Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn

An adult places a blank sheet in a plain envelope at a tidy French desk.
Envoyez-le gives the reader a clear final action. Illustration: Atelier
Choose a format before writing the steps
Reader or formatCheckSignSend
One friend: tuVérifieSigneEnvoie
One person addressed as vous, or a groupVérifiezSignezEnvoyez
Neutral step listVérifierSignerEnvoyer

How do you write clear instructions in French?

Pour renvoyer votre formulaire

  • D’abord, vérifiez votre nom et votre adresse sur le formulaire.
  • Corrigez les informations si nécessaire. Ne modifiez pas le numéro de référence.
  • Ensuite, signez le formulaire en bas de la page.
  • Enfin, mettez-le dans une enveloppe et envoyez-le à l’adresse indiquée sur la première page.

The reader checks, corrects, signs and sends, in that order. Le formulaire gives le a clear reference in mettez-le and envoyez-le. The address has a precise location: the first page. These details make the instructions usable.

The things in the instructions

Same task, different construction
PurposeAddressed instructionInfinitive list
Positive stepEnvoyez-le à l’adresse indiquée.L’envoyer à l’adresse indiquée.
Negative stepNe le pliez pas.Ne pas le plier.
Check before sendingAvant de l’envoyer, vérifiez la date.Vérifier la date avant de l’envoyer.

In a positive imperative, the pronoun follows the verb with a hyphen: envoyez-le. In a negative imperative it comes before the verb: ne le pliez pas. With an infinitive it also comes before the verb: le plier. For a negative infinitive, keep ne pas together before the pronoun and verb.

Before you hand over the instructions

A self-review aid, not a grade. Ticks are not saved.

Question 1No account needed
Keep the list in the vous imperative.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Vérifiez le nom, puis signez le formulaire.. Both steps address vous: vérifiez and signez use matching imperative forms.

Question 2No account needed
Make “Fold it” negative, keeping the vous imperative.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Ne le pliez pas.. The negative imperative puts le before pliez, inside ne … pas. The infinitive is a different format.

Question 3No account needed
Which step tells the reader exactly where to find the postal address?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Envoyez-le à l’adresse indiquée sur la première page.. The first step identifies the page containing the address, so the reader can find it.

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