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Grammar Tips
These interactive tips are integrated into French Steps and explain the basic workings of the language. They are not a complete guide to French grammar, but provide a grounding in most of the main points. Each of them links to extra notes explaining structures and patterns in more detail.
Stage 1:
Short break in Paris
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
Taking a taxi
Hakim takes a taxi in Paris.
Hakim takes a taxi in Paris.
How to use polite words and
phrases
Introduction to pronunciation
phrases
Introduction to pronunciation
Asking for directions
Hakim finds his way to the Musée de la Musique in Paris.
Hakim finds his way to the Musée de la Musique in Paris.
How to say 'the'
Definite articles le, la and les
Definite articles le, la and les
Getting tickets
Buying tickets to some of Paris' major sites.
Buying tickets to some of Paris' major sites.
How to say 'a', 'an' or 'one'
Indefinite articles un and une. Numbers 1-10
Indefinite articles un and une. Numbers 1-10
Buying presents
Choosing and buying souvenirs in Paris.
Choosing and buying souvenirs in Paris.
How to say 'it is', 'this is' and
'that'
Introduction to ce, ça and c'est.
'that'
Introduction to ce, ça and c'est.
More about saying 'this'
and 'that'
and 'that'
Getting a snack
Find out what people eat for a mid-morning snack.
Find out what people eat for a mid-morning snack.
Stage 2:
Chatting
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
Saying what you do
Find out what people do for a living.
Find out what people do for a living.
How to say what you do and where you work
Using regular verbs in the present tense
Using regular verbs in the present tense
Talking about the family
Hakim is introduced to a friend's family.
Hakim is introduced to a friend's family.
How to say 'my'
Using possessives mon, ma and mes
Using possessives mon, ma and mes
Getting into conversation
Chatting over a beer in a Paris bar.
Chatting over a beer in a Paris bar.
How to say 'you'
Understanding the difference between tu and vous
Understanding the difference between tu and vous
Your name and where you're from
Ask and talk about where people are from.
Ask and talk about where people are from.
How to say where you're from
Talking about towns, countries and nationalities
Talking about towns, countries and nationalities
Stage 3:
Food and drink
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
Ordering at a restaurant
Ordering a light meal in a Lyon restaurant.
Ordering a light meal in a Lyon restaurant.
How to ask questions
Asking questions with intonation
Asking questions with intonation
Shopping for food
Go shopping for food and drink at a French market.
Go shopping for food and drink at a French market.
How to talk about quantities
Using partitive articles de, du, de l', and des
Using partitive articles de, du, de l', and des
Asking about the food
Find out about the menu and explain what you like and dislike.
Find out about the menu and explain what you like and dislike.
How to say 'not'
Introduction to negative sentences with ne...pas
Introduction to negative sentences with ne...pas
Stage 4:
Country holiday
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
Buying clothes
Choosing clothes in a boutique - make sure they're the right size!
Choosing clothes in a boutique - make sure they're the right size!
How to describe things
Using adjectives
Using adjectives
Understanding instructions
Ask and find out how things work at a holiday home.
Ask and find out how things work at a holiday home.
How to understand 'you have
to...' or 'you must...'
Giving instructions with the
imperative and il faut...
to...' or 'you must...'
Giving instructions with the
imperative and il faut...
Getting your bearings
Ask and find out about the local area while on holiday.
Ask and find out about the local area while on holiday.
How to say 'there is...' and 'there are...'
Using il y a
Using il y a
Talking about the weather
Ask and talk about the weather with the locals while on holiday.
Ask and talk about the weather with the locals while on holiday.
How to talk about the weather
Talking about the weather using il fait
Talking about the weather using il fait
Renting items
Have a go at hiring a bike while on holiday in France.
Have a go at hiring a bike while on holiday in France.
How to say 'it'
Using subject and object pronouns
Using subject and object pronouns
Stage 5:
Planning your time
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
Asking friends round
Practise making and accepting invitations for an aperitif.
Practise making and accepting invitations for an aperitif.
Arranging to go out
Make plans to spend a day out while on holiday in France.
Make plans to spend a day out while on holiday in France.
How to make suggestions
Using 'on' and 'nous'
Using 'on' and 'nous'
Taking the train
Ask about train travel and practise buying a ticket to your destination.
Ask about train travel and practise buying a ticket to your destination.
How to tell the time
Telling the time. 24 hour clock
Telling the time. 24 hour clock
Booking a room
Arrange your holiday accommodation over the phone.
Arrange your holiday accommodation over the phone.
How to say names and dates
Using dates and talking about duration, and spelling your name
Using dates and talking about duration, and spelling your name
Stage 6:
Emergencies
| Unit | Grammar Tip | Extra Grammar |
|---|
At the chemist's
Stock up on essential items and explain what's wrong with you.
Stock up on essential items and explain what's wrong with you.
More about using 'avoir'
Using avoir besoin de
Using avoir besoin de
On the road
Practise asking for help if you break down on the road.
Practise asking for help if you break down on the road.
Lost property
Practise reporting lost property and explaining what has happened in the past.
Practise reporting lost property and explaining what has happened in the past.
How to say 'I've lost' and 'I've seen'
Introduction to the past
Introduction to the past
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