Révision

Second-group `-ir` verbs

Most verbs ending in `-ir` form the second largest group of regular French verbs. Drop the infinitive ending and add the regular endings: `je choisis`, `tu choisis`, `il/elle choisit`, `nous choisissons`, `vous choisissez`, `ils/elles choisissent`; and `je finis`, `tu finis`, `il/elle finit`, `nous finissons`, `vous finissez`, `ils/elles finissent`. The final consonant is silent, while the `nous` and `vous` forms add an extra syllable. Negatives and questions follow the same patterns as `-er` verbs: `je ne finis pas`, `Vous finissez votre café ?`, `Est-ce que vous finissez votre café ?`, `Finissez-vous votre café ?` The formal inversion pattern is rare in everyday speech.

Recognizing the group

Regular second-group verbs are recognizable by a present participle ending in `-issant`, as in `finissant`. This matters because not every `-ir` verb belongs to this group; some are third-group verbs and follow different patterns.

Direct object pronouns

The direct object pronouns are `me`, `te`, `le/la`, `nous`, `vous`, and `les`. Unlike English, they normally come before the verb: `Je le veux`, `Nous les achetons à l'aéroport`, `Je l'écoute tous les jours`. `Me`, `te`, `le`, and `la` elide before a vowel, so context tells you whether `l'` means him, her, or it. With verbs like `pouvoir` or `vouloir` followed by an infinitive, the pronoun goes between the two verbs: `Je peux le voir`, `Nous voulons vous aider`.

`Quel`

`Quel` can be an adjective used with a noun, or a pronoun replacing a noun. Its forms are `quel`, `quelle`, `quels`, and `quelles`: `Quel âge a votre enfant ?`, `Quelle heure est-il ?`, `Quels sont vos projets ?`, `Quelles expositions sont intéressantes ?` The plural `s` is silent unless the next word begins with a vowel or a silent `h`, as in `quels enfants`, `quelles expositions`, and `quels hôtels`.

`Lequel`

When the choice is from a smaller or predefined group, `quel` combines with the definite article: `lequel`, `laquelle`, `lesquels`, `lesquelles`. Examples include `Lequel de ces hôtels préférez-vous ?`, `Laquelle des deux montres voulez-vous ?`, and `Prendre des comprimés, d'accord, mais lesquels ?`

Demonstrative pronouns

`Celui`, `celle`, `ceux`, and `celles` refer back to something already mentioned and avoid repeating a noun. The book's examples include `celui de droite`, `celle du premier étage`, `celles du rez-de-chaussée`, and `ceux des brasseries`.

`Avoir` instead of to be

Many French expressions for physical or emotional states use `avoir` plus a noun where English uses to be plus an adjective: `avoir faim`, `avoir soif`, `avoir chaud`, `avoir froid`, `avoir raison`, `avoir tort`, `avoir peur`, `avoir sommeil`, `avoir besoin de`, and `avoir de la chance`. Because the descriptive word is a noun, it does not change for gender or number: `J'ai raison`, `Vous avez raison`.

Cardinal numbers

The book revises the cardinal numbers from `un` to `cent`. Above 20, combine the tens with the final digit: `soixante-six`. The French system used in France treats 70, 80, and 90 differently: `soixante-dix`, `quatre-vingts`, and `quatre-vingt-dix`, with forms like `soixante et onze`, `quatre-vingt-un`, and `quatre-vingt-onze`. Belgium and Switzerland use `septante` for 70 and `nonante` for 90, and Switzerland often uses `huitante` for 80. The only French word for 0 is `zéro`.

Translations and liaisons

The book notes that the English translations are still fairly literal so that learners can focus on French syntax. From this point onward, the book no longer marks liaisons with the undertie used in the early lessons.