French Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary Syllabus

Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary in French, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Adjectives and Adverbs

   3 topics

   • Learn agreement of adjectives
   • Use adverbs in sentences
   • Practice comparative and superlative forms
2. 2

   Complex Verb Tenses

   3 topics

   • Introduction to past tense
   • Learn future tense
   • Practice with compound tenses
3. 3

   Thematic Vocabulary

   3 topics

   • Learn vocabulary related to food
   • Familiarize with travel-related terms
   • Practice vocabulary for hobbies and interests

Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary flashcards for French

21 of 50 cards from the Intermediate Grammar and Vocabulary deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In French, what must an adjective agree with in terms of gender and number?

   A French adjective must agree in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun it modifies. Example: un petit chat, une petite maison, des petits chats, des petites maisons.

2. How do you generally form the feminine of a French adjective?

   Add an -e to the masculine form: grand -> grande, petit -> petite. If the masculine already ends in -e, the form stays the same: rouge -> rouge.

3. How do you form the feminine of adjectives ending in -eux?

   Change -eux to -euse: heureux -> heureuse, sérieux -> sérieuse, dangereux -> dangereuse.

4. How do you form the feminine of adjectives ending in -f?

   Change -f to -ve: neuf -> neuve, actif -> active, sportif -> sportive.

5. How do you form the feminine of adjectives ending in -er?

   Change -er to -ère: cher -> chère, premier -> première, léger -> légère.

6. How do you generally form the plural of a French adjective?

   Add an -s to the singular form: grand -> grands, petite -> petites. If the singular already ends in -s or -x, it stays unchanged: gris -> gris, heureux -> heureux.

7. How do you form the plural of adjectives ending in -al?

   Change -al to -aux (masculine plural): national -> nationaux, principal -> principaux, spécial -> spéciaux. The feminine plural is regular: nationale -> nationales.

8. Where are most French adjectives placed relative to the noun, and which common ones come before it?

   Most French adjectives come after the noun (une voiture rouge). A small group (BAGS: Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size) comes before: beau, joli, jeune, vieux, nouveau, bon, mauvais, grand, petit, gros.

9. Give the four forms (m.sg, f.sg, m.pl, f.pl) of the irregular adjective 'beau'.

   beau (m.sg), belle (f.sg), beaux (m.pl), belles (f.pl). Note the special form 'bel' before a masculine noun starting with a vowel or mute h: un bel homme.

10. What is an adverb, and what is the most common way to form one from an adjective in French?

    An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Most French adverbs of manner are formed by adding -ment to the feminine form of the adjective: lent -> lente -> lentement; heureux -> heureuse -> heureusement.

11. How are adverbs formed from adjectives ending in -ant and -ent?

    Adjectives ending in -ant form adverbs in -amment, and those ending in -ent form adverbs in -emment: constant -> constamment; évident -> évidemment. Both endings are pronounced the same (a-ment).

12. Where is an adverb usually placed in relation to the verb it modifies in a simple tense?

    In a simple tense, the adverb usually comes directly after the conjugated verb: Il parle lentement. Elle mange souvent au restaurant.

13. In the passé composé, where are short common adverbs (like bien, souvent, déjà, trop) placed?

    Short common adverbs go between the auxiliary and the past participle: J'ai bien mangé. Il a déjà fini. Elle a trop parlé.

14. Name three common French adverbs of frequency and their meanings.

    toujours (always), souvent (often), quelquefois/parfois (sometimes), rarement (rarely), jamais (never). Example: Je vais souvent au cinéma.

15. What is the irregular adverb corresponding to the adjective 'bon' (good)?

    The adverb is 'bien' (well). Do not say 'bonnement' for 'well'. Example: adjective — un bon repas; adverb — Il cuisine bien.

16. How do you form the comparative of superiority, equality, and inferiority with adjectives in French?

    Superiority: plus + adjective + que; Equality: aussi + adjective + que; Inferiority: moins + adjective + que. Example: Il est plus grand que moi / aussi grand que moi / moins grand que moi.

17. How do you form the superlative of an adjective in French?

    Use the definite article (le/la/les) + plus/moins + adjective, agreeing with the noun: la plus grande ville, le livre le plus intéressant, les moins chers. 'de' expresses 'in/of': la plus grande ville de France.

18. What is the irregular comparative and superlative of the adjective 'bon' (good)?

    Comparative: meilleur(e) (better) — not 'plus bon'. Superlative: le/la meilleur(e) (the best). Example: Ce gâteau est meilleur que l'autre; c'est le meilleur restaurant.

19. What is the irregular comparative and superlative of the adverb 'bien' (well)?

    Comparative: mieux (better) — not 'plus bien'. Superlative: le mieux (the best). Example: Elle chante mieux que moi; c'est elle qui chante le mieux.

20. How do you make comparatives and superlatives with nouns (quantities) in French?

    Use plus de / autant de / moins de + noun + que: J'ai plus de livres que toi. Il a autant d'argent que moi. Elle a moins de temps que nous.

21. What is the passé composé used for, and how is it formed?

    The passé composé expresses a completed past action. It is formed with the present tense of the auxiliary (avoir or être) + the past participle of the main verb: J'ai mangé; Il est parti.

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