The changing preference: past, present and the new plan
CEFR A1 · part 28 minInstant feedback
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
- 1Try
- 2Learn
- 3Practise
- 4Check
The partitive: du, de la, desUsing du, de la or des before uncountable things, and switching to de after a negative.à and de with the article: au, aux, du, desContracting à + le into au, à + les into aux, de + le into du and de + les into des…Adjectives: before or after the nounPlacing the adjective correctly and making it agree, including irregular feminine forms.Passé composé: avoir or être?Choosing the auxiliary, forming the participle and agreeing when required.Son, sa, ses: they agree with the thingChoosing the possessive by the gender and number of the thing owned, not the owner; and…C'est or il estUsing c'est to introduce or identify —with an article after— and il/elle est to describe…
Another oneKeep practising: FrenchThe rule, in three lines
Distinguish what happened, what applies now and what is proposed for later. Keep the person and the conditions that still apply; a future intention does not show that the action has happened.
The usual slip. If you cancel a Saturday meeting, say so clearly; saying you are free on Saturday can invite a meeting that day. Changing a preference does not mean you have stopped liking every other option.
Why it catches you out. «I’m going to…» can correspond to «je vais…» plus an infinitive. It announces a plan, so check whether the question asks about an intention or a completed action.