If you thought there were a lot of tenses/modes that express the present in French, just wait until you see the past! Seven past tenses/moods: Passé composé: The passé composé, as the most commonly used past tense in French, is used to describe completed actions, formed with the present tense of avoir or être plus […]
Now that we are back from La Chandeleur and the Winter Olympics, let’s take a look at the more commonly used French verb tenses/modes. Here’s the good news, even though there are approximately 20 different tenses/modes for French verbs (of which, approximately 10 used in spoken language), each one can be be placed in the […]
Did you know that French was chosen as the first official language of the Olympic Games in the 1890s? Fast forward to today, French is always the first language to be heard at the Olympics, followed by English, and then the host country’s language. A little history… When French aristocrat Pierre de Coubertin revived the […]
Did you know that the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France, from January 25 to February 5, 1924? This inaugural event featured 258 athletes from 16 countries, competing in various sports such as figure skating, speed skating, hockey, and curling. The event was officially named the Chamonix 1924 Olympic Winter Games and marked […]
For a little history, did you know that La Chandeleur means Candlemas? For some, going to church is part of the tradition. Lighting a candle and carrying it home without it going out is thought to ensure another year of life. Dating back to ancient Rome, this French tradition is always celebrated on February 2nd, […]
Did you know that France has a very special national holiday each year on 2 February that will appeal to breakfast-lovers everywhere? It’s called “Pancake Day!” In French the day is known as Fête de la Chandeleur. In 2026, Pancake Day falls on Monday, February 2nd. French crepes are extraordinary. They aren’t just fluffy pancakes. […]
Now that we have given appropriate respect to the infinitive form of verbs, we need to give enormous consideration to the different tenses. Although without the infinitive, there would be no verb, without the different tenses to take on the heavy lifting to help communicate, we would not know where we are in time. Whether […]
Now that we are back from the holidays, let’s get back to the most important form of every verb, the infinitive! Without the infinitive of the verb, there is no verb. As I mentioned in the 12.16.2025 « Saviez-vous que … » post, the infinitive serves as the “name” of any given verb, which is […]
Did you know that Epiphany is always celebrated on January the 6th? Although overshadowed by falling so soon after Christmas, Epiphany is one of the three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter, commemorating the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi or the three wise men, the first Gentile recognition of Christ. […]
The biggest celebration in Paris is on New Year’s Eve (la Saint Sylvestre) by the Eiffel Tower, but you can enjoy the evening anywhere from Sacré Cœur in Montmartre to the Latin Quarter. Foods associated with the holiday include foie gras, oysters, and other local specialties. Many restaurants will have a special NYE menu that […]
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