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Third-Group Verbs

The third group contains irregular verbs and is the most complex verb group. The book reviews three broad families: `-re` verbs such as `prendre`, `attendre`, `mettre`, and `boire`; `-oir` verbs such as `savoir`, `vouloir`, and `pouvoir`; and irregular `-ir` verbs such as `dormir`, `sortir`, `souffrir`, `partir`, `repartir`, and `ouvrir`. The very irregular `aller` is also part of the third group. These verbs need to be learned by heart, though patterns will become recognizable with practice.

Plural Nouns

The basic plural rule is to add a silent final `s`: `un croissant`, `deux croissants`. Important exceptions depend on word endings: `travail` becomes `travaux`, `journal` becomes `journaux`, `jeu` becomes `jeux`, and `manteau` becomes `manteaux`. Nouns ending in `s`, `x`, or `z` do not change in the plural, as in `un Français`, `des Français`; `une voix`, `des voix`; and `un nez`, `des nez`. One useful exception to the silent-final-letter pattern is `un fils`, where the final `s` is pronounced.

`Y`

`Y` avoids repeating a place or another phrase introduced by `à`: `Le musée ferme dans trois heures. On peut y aller maintenant.` It can also refer to an idea or thing, as in `J'aime mon travail et j'y pense tout le temps.` In the negative, the particle comes before `y`: `je n'y pense pas`. `Y` does not replace a person; for people, French keeps a phrase such as `à elle`. The familiar phrase `il y a` uses `y` to express the existence of something.

`En`

`En` can stand for some or any and must not be omitted in French: `Avez-vous du lait ? Oui, j'en ai.` It can replace partitive phrases or phrases introduced by `de`: `Elle a des enfants ? Oui, elle en a trois`; `Alain connaît bien l'Alsace : il en parle beaucoup.` The negative particle comes before `en`: `il n'en parle pas beaucoup`. It also appears in `Je vous en prie` and `Je t'en prie`, and it is a preposition meaning in, as in `en Bretagne` or `en vacances`.

`Savoir` and `Connaître`

Both verbs mean to know, but they are used differently. `Savoir` means to know a fact or know how to do something and is often followed by `que`, `qui`, `où`, `quand`, or an infinitive: `Je sais où habite Emmanuel`; `Il sait parler l'anglais et le français`. `Connaître` means to know or be familiar with a person or place and takes a direct object noun: `Je connais Emmanuel`; `Nous connaissons Paris`.

Indirect Objects

Indirect object pronouns avoid repeating the person affected by an action: `me`, `te`, `lui`, `nous`, `vous`, and `leur`. They come before the verb in French: `Je vais parler au directeur` becomes `Je vais lui parler`; `Dites à vos amis de venir` becomes `Dites-leur de venir`. `Lui` can mean to him or to her, and `leur` as a pronoun is invariable. Do not confuse it with the possessive adjective `leur` or `leurs`.

`Tu` and `Vous`

`Tu` is the familiar form used with family, close friends, children, people in the same social group, pets, and informal online settings. `Vous` is the formal form for strangers and formal situations, and also the plural you. Using `tu` too quickly can sound disrespectful, so the book recommends using `vous` with strangers unless invited to switch: `On peut se tutoyer`. Useful familiar forms include `Comment vas-tu ?` and `Vas-y !` Spoken French often shortens `tu as` to `t'as`, which learners should recognize even if they do not need to imitate it.