CEFR B2
What you will learn
- Choose a gérondif or present participle from function and subject coreference.
- Recognise the verbal adjective through agreement and distinguish common spelling pairs.
Before you start
- Recognise the vocabulary and forms shown in this lesson’s key idea and paradigm.
The idea
Three forms end in -ant and perform different functions: the gérondif expresses a circumstance, the present participle often condenses a clause, and the verbal adjective assigns a quality and agrees.
The gérondif takes “en” in front and says how or when something is done: “il est parti en courant”, “en arrivant, j'ai compris”. It has one condition, and it is the one people forget: both actions must have the same subject.
The present participle appears without “en” and often condenses a relative clause with “qui” or another circumstantial relation: “un homme portant un chapeau noir” can expand to “un homme qui porte un chapeau noir”. It is invariable, whether its related noun is singular or plural.
The verbal adjective functions as an adjective and agrees: “une histoire intéressante”, “des travaux fatigants”. Compatibility with intensifiers such as “très” is a useful clue, but its quality function and agreement confirm the analysis.
And there is a spelling trap: a few of them are written differently depending on which they are. “Fatigant” is the adjective and “fatiguant” the participle; “différent” against “différant”. That is not a typo slipping through: it is a distinction made on purpose.
And now what is not an “-ant” form at all: whatever follows a preposition. English puts “-ing” there — “without saying a word”, “before leaving”, “instead of shouting” — and French puts an infinitive. “En” is the only French preposition that takes “-ant”.
Working paradigm
| Form | Signal | Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| gérondif | en + forme en -ant | invariable; même sujet |
| participe présent | souvent ≈ qui + verbe | invariable |
| adjectif verbal | qualité; accepte souvent très | genre et nombre |
Fatiguant is the participle of fatiguer; fatigant is the adjective. Function can also change spelling.
How it sounds
- Elle a découvert l’erreur en relisant le rapport.Both actions have the same subject: elle. The subordinate clause expresses simultaneity and manner. Reduce it with en + relisant.
Check objective 1Another case
A proposed answer is “comparante” for this case: “La chercheuse a vérifié les chiffres comparante les deux tableaux.”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “comparant à” for this case: “La chercheuse a vérifié les chiffres comparant à les deux tableaux.”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: en comparant — The same researcher checks and compares; the circumstance takes a gérondif.
The same researcher checks and compares; the circumstance takes a gérondif.
Answer: en comparant — The same researcher checks and compares; the circumstance takes a gérondif.
The same researcher checks and compares; the circumstance takes a gérondif.
Check objective 2Another case
A proposed answer is “contraignant” for this case: “Ce sont des procédures particulièrement contraignant.”. Choose the only valid form.
A proposed answer is “en contraignant” for this case: “Ce sont des procédures particulièrement en contraignant.”. Choose the only valid form.
Answer available without interaction
Answer: contraignantes — Particulièrement modifies a quality; the adjective agrees with feminine plural procédures.
Particulièrement modifies a quality; the adjective agrees with feminine plural procédures.
Answer: contraignantes — Particulièrement modifies a quality; the adjective agrees with feminine plural procédures.
Particulièrement modifies a quality; the adjective agrees with feminine plural procédures.
When it doesn't hold
What breaks the rule, said out loud. Hiding it is what makes you feel cheated in the exam.
- How someone actsIl répond en souriant.
- Who actsLes personnes attendant dehors entreront ensuite.
- QualityDes délais inquiétants.
What your own language pushes you to say
Wrong En traversant la rue, la pluie a commencé.
Right Pendant que je traversais la rue, la pluie a commencé.
The gérondif would make the rain the subject of crossing; different subjects require an explicit clause.
Challenge: apply both rules
Solve both cases and justify each choice: 1) Una propuesta responde «comparante» a este caso: «La chercheuse a vérifié les chiffres comparante les deux tableaux.». Elige la única forma válida. 2) Una propuesta responde «contraignant» a este caso: «Ce sont des procédures particulièrement contraignant.». Elige la única forma válida.
Answer available without interaction
- Choose a gérondif or present participle from function and subject coreference.
- Recognise the verbal adjective through agreement and distinguish common spelling pairs.
Answer: en comparant · contraignantes
The same researcher checks and compares; the circumstance takes a gérondif. Particulièrement modifies a quality; the adjective agrees with feminine plural procédures.
Curriculum alignment and sources
- CEFR B2 · understand complex texts, interact fluently and produce clear, detailed texts; B2.1 is an internal editorial sequence. · Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Companion Volume
- French-specific reference descriptions used to cross-check B2 forms; they are not a universal school curriculum. · Reference Level Descriptions · French
- La norma estatal usa el MCER como referencia, pero no asigna B2.1/B2.2 a un curso. Este catálogo no crea esa equivalencia. · Real Decreto 243/2022, currículo básico de Bachillerato
- Las fuentes oficiales distinguen recorridos. Este paquete no publica una equivalencia universal B2→ano. · Organização curricular · Francês · iniciação e continuação
- La fuente reutilizada fija A1 al final del primer ciclo y no acredita B2 de Francés en una clase italiana concreta. · Decreto 9 dicembre 2025, n. 221 · nuove Indicazioni nazionali
Continue along this corridor
Practise this: Present participle, gérondif and verbal adjectiveAdvanced French negation: restriction, combinations and expletive neDepuis, pendant, il y a, dans and en: duration, origin and deadlinePronominal verbs: classes, auxiliary and participle agreementConditional for unconfirmed information: present, past and sourceNominalisation in written French: formation, complements and style