Myth or fact: French grammar rules learners believe
Is the subjunctive only for books? Do adjectives always go after the noun? Is on just 'one'? Judge eight grammar beliefs and see what natives really do.
- B1
- 8 claims
- Vrai ou faux ?
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Several 'rules' learners repeat are myths: the subjunctive is everyday spoken French (il faut que tu viennes), on usually means 'we', some adjectives go before the noun, and ne is often dropped in speech. The passé simple, on the other hand, really is mostly for writing.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
Vrai ou faux ? Decide before you see the verdict.
The subjunctive is only used in formal writing.
Il faut que tu viennes.
FauxFaux. It's everywhere in speech after il faut que, je veux que, pour que: even small children say il faut que je fasse pipi.
In conversation, on usually means 'we'.
On va au cinéma ce soir ?
VraiVrai. On y va ? = shall we go? On as 'one / people' exists, but 'we' is by far the most common use in speech.
French adjectives always go after the noun.
une belle maison, un petit café
FauxFaux. Short common adjectives often go before: beau, joli, petit, grand, bon, mauvais, jeune, vieux, nouveau.
People often drop the ne in spoken negatives.
Je sais pas.
VraiVrai. Je sais pas, c'est pas grave: dropping ne is normal in casual speech. Keep it in writing and formal speech.
The passé simple is used in everyday conversation.
Il alla au marché.
FauxFaux. It lives in novels, history books and fairy tales. In speech, use the passé composé: il est allé au marché.
Vous can be used for one person.
Vous êtes Madame Leroy ?
VraiVrai. Vous is both plural and the polite singular. Verbs stay plural; adjectives agree with the real person: vous êtes prête, Madame ?
Every noun ending in -e is feminine.
le musée, le lycée, le problème
FauxFaux. There are many exceptions: le musée, le lycée, le problème, le silence, le groupe, le modèle.
Si + future (si j'aurai) is wrong.
Si j'ai le temps, je viendrai.
VraiVrai. After a 'condition' si, use the present, not the future: si j'ai le temps, never si j'aurai.
What to take away
Grammar books simplify, and that's useful at first. But listen to how people talk: you'll hear on for 'we', subjunctives in every kitchen, and ne vanishing. Learn the written rule, then notice the spoken reality.
On se voit demain ? — Ouais, il faut que je finisse un truc avant.
See you tomorrow? — Yeah, I need to finish something first.
- Nous allons au ciné ? (casual)On va au ciné ?
On sounds natural in conversation.
- Si je serai libre…Si je suis libre…
Present after si.