French 201 Final

Here’s a study guide covering the Plus-que-parfait, Futur simple, Futur conditionnel, and Futur antérieur, along with common irregulars in each tense.

1. Plus-que-parfait (Past Perfect)

The Plus-que-parfait expresses an action that was completed before another past action. It’s formed using the imparfait of avoir or être as auxiliary verbs + the past participle of the main verb.

Formation:

• Avoir in imparfait: avais, avais, avait, avions, aviez, avaient

• Être in imparfait: étais, étais, était, étions, étiez, étaient

• Past participle of main verb.

Examples:

• J’avais mangé (I had eaten).

• Elle était partie (She had left).

Irregular Past Participles:

• être → été

• avoir → eu

• faire → fait

• prendre → pris

• voir → vu

• mettre → mis

2. Futur Simple (Simple Future)

The Futur Simple expresses an action that will happen in the future. Regular verbs use the infinitive + endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.

Formation (Regular Verbs):

• Parler: je parlerai, tu parleras, il/elle parlera, nous parlerons, vous parlerez, ils/elles parleront

• Finir: je finirai, tu finiras, il/elle finira, etc.

• Vendre: je vendrai, tu vendras, il/elle vendra, etc.

Common Irregular Stems:

• être → ser- (je serai)

• avoir → aur- (j’aurai)

• faire → fer- (je ferai)

• aller → ir- (j’irai)

• venir → viendr- (je viendrai)

• voir → verr- (je verrai)

3. Futur Conditionnel (Conditional Future)

The Futur Conditionnel expresses what would happen under certain conditions. It uses the futur simple stem + imparfait endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient.

Formation (Regular Verbs):

• Parler: je parlerais, tu parlerais, il/elle parlerait, nous parlerions, vous parleriez, ils/elles parleraient

• Finir: je finirais, tu finirais, etc.

• Vendre: je vendrais, tu vendrais, etc.

Common Irregular Stems (Same as Futur Simple):

• être → ser- (je serais)

• avoir → aur- (j’aurais)

• faire → fer- (je ferais)

• aller → ir- (j’irais)

• venir → viendr- (je viendrais)

4. Futur Antérieur (Future Perfect)

The Futur Antérieur expresses a future action that will be completed before another future action. It’s formed using the futur simple of avoir or être as auxiliary verbs + the past participle of the main verb.

Formation:

• Avoir in futur simple: aurai, auras, aura, aurons, aurez, auront

• Être in futur simple: serai, seras, sera, serons, serez, seront

• Past participle of main verb.

Examples:

• J’aurai fini (I will have finished).

• Elle sera partie (She will have left).

Common Irregular Past Participles (Same as Plus-que-parfait):

• être → été

• avoir → eu

• faire → fait

• prendre → pris

• voir → vu

• mettre → mis

Summary Table of Irregular Stems (Futur Simple and Futur Conditionnel)

Verb Futur/Conditionnel Stem

être ser-

avoir aur-

faire fer-

aller ir-

venir viendr-

voir verr-

devoir devr-

savoir saur-

pouvoir pourr-

vouloir voudr-

Tips for Memorizing

1. Identify Irregulars: Many irregular verbs have the same stem across different future tenses (futur simple and conditionnel).

2. Practice Common Verbs: Focus on high-frequency verbs like être, avoir, faire, and aller.

3. Use Context: Try forming sentences to see how each tense changes meaning based on context.

Use this guide to practice conjugations and build sentences in each tense! Let me know if you’d like practice exercises or examples.

Part 1: Si Clauses in French

Overview:

In French, si clauses (also known as conditional sentences) are used to express conditions and their consequences. These sentences consist of two parts: the protasis (the condition) and the apodosis (the result). The verb tenses in the two parts depend on the level of likelihood or reality of the situation.

1. Structure of Si Clauses:

• Si + Present, Future

Example: Si tu étudies, tu réussiras.

(If you study, you will succeed.)

• Si + Imparfait, Conditional

Example: Si je pouvais, je voyagerais partout.

(If I could, I would travel everywhere.)

• Si + Plus-que-parfait, Conditional passé

Example: Si j’avais su, j’aurais agi différemment.

(If I had known, I would have acted differently.)

2. Types of Si Clauses:

• Si + Present, Future

Usage: To express a real or possible condition in the present or future.

Example: Si tu fais tes devoirs, tu obtiendras une bonne note.

(If you do your homework, you will get a good grade.)

• Si + Imparfait, Conditional

Usage: To express a hypothetical or unreal condition in the present or future.

Example: Si j’avais un million d’euros, je voyagerais autour du monde.

(If I had a million euros, I would travel around the world.)

• Si + Plus-que-parfait, Conditional passé

Usage: To express a past hypothetical situation that didn’t occur (regret, criticism).

Example: Si j’avais étudié, j’aurais réussi l’examen.

(If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.)

3. Key Points:

• In the si clause, the verb is in the present, imparfait, or plus-que-parfait.

• In the result clause, the verb is in the future, conditional, or conditional passé.

• There is no inversion of the subject and verb in si clauses (e.g., Si tu avais étudié… not Si avais-tu Part 2: Direct and Indirect Objects in French

Overview:

In French, objects are words that receive the action of a verb. There are two main types: direct objects and indirect objects.

1. Direct Objects (Compléments d’Objet Direct - COD):

• A direct object answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” in relation to the verb.

• A direct object receives the action of the verb directly without the need for a preposition.

Examples of Direct Objects:

• Je vois le film. (I see the movie.)

Le film is the direct object because it answers the question “What do I see?”

• Elle mange une pomme. (She eats an apple.)

Une pomme is the direct object because it answers the question “What does she eat?”

Key Points:

• Direct objects are usually placed directly after the verb.

• When there is a compound verb (with auxiliary), the direct object comes before the verb.

Example: Je l’ai vu. (I saw it.)

2. Indirect Objects (Compléments d’Objet Indirect - COI):

• An indirect object answers the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” the action of the verb is done.

• An indirect object is preceded by a preposition, most commonly à (to) or pour (for).

Examples of Indirect Objects:

• Je parle à Marie. (I speak to Marie.)

À Marie is the indirect object because it answers the question “To whom do I speak?”

• Elle donne un cadeau à son frère. (She gives a gift to her brother.)

À son frère is the indirect object because it answers the question “To whom does she give the gift?”

Key Points:

• Indirect objects are usually introduced by the preposition à or pour.

• If a pronoun is used, the indirect object pronouns are: me (to me), te (to you), lui (to him/her), nous (to us), vous (to you all), leur (to them).

3. Pronouns for Direct and Indirect Objects:

• Direct Object Pronouns:

• me (me), te (you), le/la (him/her/it), nous (us), vous (you all), les (them)

Example: Je le vois. (I see him/it.)

• Indirect Object Pronouns:

• me (to me), te (to you), lui (to him/her), nous (to us), vous (to you all), leur (to them)

Example: Je lui parle. (I talk to him/Study Guide: Si Clauses in French and Direct/Indirect Objects

Part 1: Si Clauses in French

Overview:

In French, si clauses (also known as conditional sentences) are used to express conditions and their consequences. These sentences consist of two parts: the protasis (the condition) and the apodosis (the result). The verb tenses in the two parts depend on the level of likelihood or reality of the situation.

1. Structure of Si Clauses:

• Si + Present, Future

Example: Si tu étudies, tu réussiras.

(If you study, you will succeed.)

• Si + Imparfait, Conditional

Example: Si je pouvais, je voyagerais partout.

(If I could, I would travel everywhere.)

• Si + Plus-que-parfait, Conditional passé

Example: Si j’avais su, j’aurais agi différemment.

(If I had known, I would have acted differently.)

2. Types of Si Clauses:

• Si + Present, Future

Usage: To express a real or possible condition in the present or future.

Example: Si tu fais tes devoirs, tu obtiendras une bonne note.

(If you do your homework, you will get a good grade.)

• Si + Imparfait, Conditional

Usage: To express a hypothetical or unreal condition in the present or future.

Example: Si j’avais un million d’euros, je voyagerais autour du monde.

(If I had a million euros, I would travel around the world.)

• Si + Plus-que-parfait, Conditional passé

Usage: To express a past hypothetical situation that didn’t occur (regret, criticism).

Example: Si j’avais étudié, j’aurais réussi l’examen.

(If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.)

3. Key Points:

• In the si clause, the verb is in the present, imparfait, or plus-que-parfait.

• In the result clause, the verb is in the future, conditional, or conditional passé.

• There is no inversion of the subject and verb in si clauses (e.g., Si tu avais étudié… not Si avais-tu étudié…).

Part 2: Direct and Indirect Objects in French

Overview:

In French, objects are words that receive the action of a verb. There are two main types: direct objects and indirect objects.

1. Direct Objects (Compléments d’Objet Direct - COD):

• A direct object answers the question “What?” or “Whom?” in relation to the verb.

• A direct object receives the action of the verb directly without the need for a preposition.

Examples of Direct Objects:

• Je vois le film. (I see the movie.)

Le film is the direct object because it answers the question “What do I see?”

• Elle mange une pomme. (She eats an apple.)

Une pomme is the direct object because it answers the question “What does she eat?”

Key Points:

• Direct objects are usually placed directly after the verb.

• When there is a compound verb (with auxiliary), the direct object comes before the verb.

Example: Je l’ai vu. (I saw it.)

2. Indirect Objects (Compléments d’Objet Indirect - COI):

• An indirect object answers the question “To whom?” or “For whom?” the action of the verb is done.

• An indirect object is preceded by a preposition, most commonly à (to) or pour (for).

Examples of Indirect Objects:

• Je parle à Marie. (I speak to Marie.)

À Marie is the indirect object because it answers the question “To whom do I speak?”

• Elle donne un cadeau à son frère. (She gives a gift to her brother.)

À son frère is the indirect object because it answers the question “To whom does she give the gift?”

Key Points:

• Indirect objects are usually introduced by the preposition à or pour.

• If a pronoun is used, the indirect object pronouns are: me (to me), te (to you), lui (to him/her), nous (to us), vous (to you all), leur (to them).

3. Pronouns for Direct and Indirect Objects:

• Direct Object Pronouns:

• me (me), te (you), le/la (him/her/it), nous (us), vous (you all), les (them)

Example: Je le vois. (I see him/it.)

• Indirect Object Pronouns:

• me (to me), te (to you), lui (to him/her), nous (to us), vous (to you all), leur (to them)

Example: Je lui parle. (I talk to him/her.)

Summary of Key Differences Between Direct and Indirect Objects:

Direct Object (COD) Indirect Object (COI)

No preposition needed. Requires a preposition (usually à or pour).

Answers “What?” or “Whom?” Answers “To whom?” or “For whom?”

Pronouns: me, te, le/la, nous, vous, les Pronouns: me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur

Practice Exercises:

1. Si Clauses:

• Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in the si clause and the result clause:

1. Si tu ___ (étudier), tu ___ (réussir) l’examen.

2. Si j’___ (avoir) plus de temps, je ___ (lire) plus de livres.

3. Si nous ___ (savoir) la vérité, nous ___ (agir) différemment.

2. Direct and Indirect Objects:

• Replace the direct and indirect objects with the correct pronouns:

1. Elle donne un livre à Marc. → Elle ___ donne ___.

2. Nous avons vu Marie hier. → Nous ___ avons vue hier.

3. Tu parles à tes amis? → Tu ___ parles?

Answers:

1. Si Clauses:

1. Si tu étudies, tu réussiras l’examen.

2. Si j’avais plus de temps, je lirai plus de livres.

3. Si nous avions su la vérité, nous aurions agi différemment.

2. Direct and Indirect Objects:

1. Elle lui donne un livre.

2. Nous l’avons vue hier.

3. Tu leur parles?

This guide should give you a good foundation for understanding si clauses and direct/indirect objects in French! Happy studying!

### Study Guide: Faire Causatif & Participe Présent

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### 1. Faire Causatif

Definition:

The faire causatif is a grammatical construction used to express that someone causes something to be done, rather than doing it directly themselves. It’s often translated to English as "to have something done."

#### Structure:

- Subject + faire (conjugated) + infinitive verb (action being done).

- Example: Je fais réparer ma voiture. (I’m having my car repaired.)

Conjugation of "Faire" in the Present Tense:

- Je fais (I make/have)

- Tu fais (You make/have)

- Il/elle/on fait (He/She/One makes/has)

- Nous faisons (We make/have)

- Vous faites (You make/have, formal/plural)

- Ils/elles font (They make/have)

#### Key Points:

- The subject of the sentence (the person causing the action) is the one who is doing the "faire" part.

- The infinitive verb is the action that is being performed, but the person doing it is typically not mentioned.

- This construction is often used with verbs that imply an action involving a person or an object (e.g., repairing, cleaning, making, etc.).

#### Examples:

- Je fais cuire les légumes. (I’m having the vegetables cooked. / I make the vegetables cook.)

- Elle fait construire une maison. (She is having a house built.)

- Nous faisons réparer nos vélos. (We are having our bikes repaired.)

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### 2. Participe Présent

Definition:

The participe présent is the French present participle. It is a verbal form used to express simultaneous actions, cause and effect, or to describe a characteristic or quality of the subject. It can be translated as "-ing" in English.

#### Formation:

To form the participe présent:

1. Take the nous form of the verb in the present tense.

2. Drop the -ons ending.

3. Add -ant.

#### Examples:

- Parler (to speak) → nous parlons → parlant (speaking)

- Finir (to finish) → nous finissons → finissant (finishing)

- Vendre (to sell) → nous vendons → vendant (selling)

#### Irregular Forms:

Some verbs have irregular forms in the participe présent. For example:

- Être → étant (being)

- Avoir → ayant (having)

- Savoir → sachant (knowing)

#### Usage:

1. To express simultaneous actions:

- Elle marche en parlant. (She walks while talking.)

2. To express cause and effect (like "because"):

- N'ayant pas de réponse, il est parti. (Not having a response, he left.)

3. As an adjective (often describing a characteristic):

- Une personne intéressée. (An interested person.)

4. After "en" to mean "while" or "by":

- Il a appris en chantant. (He learned by singing.)

#### Key Notes:

- The participe présent is often used after en to form gerund phrases (e.g., en parlant, en travaillant).

- When used as an adjective, the participle agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (e.g., une personne charmante, des enfants fatigués).

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### 3. Examples and Practice

Faire causatif:

1. I am having my hair cut.

- Je fais couper mes cheveux.

2. They are having their house painted.

- Ils font peindre leur maison.

3. We had our dog washed yesterday.

- Nous avons fait laver notre chien hier.

4. She is having her phone repaired.

- Elle fait réparer son téléphone.

Participe présent:

1. While waiting for the bus, I read a book.

- En attendant le bus, je lis un livre.

2. The child was crying, not knowing what to do.

- L'enfant pleurait, ne sachant pas quoi faire.

3. The teacher, speaking slowly, explained the rule.

- Le professeur, parlant lentement, a expliqué la règle.

4. Having finished my work, I went home.

- Ayant fini mon travail, je suis rentré chez moi.

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### 4. Summary Table

| Concept | Structure | Example |

|-------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|

| Faire causatif | Subject + faire (conjugated) + infinitive verb | Je fais réparer ma voiture. (I am having my car repaired.) |

| Participe présent | Nous form -ons + -ant | En parlant (while talking), ayant fini (having finished) |

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### 5. Practice Exercises

1. Translate into French using faire causatif:

- I am having my clothes dry cleaned.

- We are having our windows washed tomorrow.

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the participe présent:

- ______ (travailler), il a terminé son projet. (Working, he finished his project.)

- ______ (avoir) faim, il a mangé un sandwich. (Having hunger, he ate a sandwich.)

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### 6. Conclusion

- The faire causatif allows you to talk about having things done by someone else. Remember that the focus is on the person causing the action, not the one performing it.

- The participe présent is a versatile form that can indicate simultaneous actions, describe cause and effect, or be used as an adjective.

By mastering these structures, you'll have more flexibility in expressing both actions and nuances in French.