Dear students,
You are about to start a course of French grammar based on a
comparison with the English language. The original prompt for building
this course was twofold. First, the proximity of the two languages is a
fact, closely studied and widely corroborated by linguists, and
certainly noticed by people studying or using either French or English.
The familiarity is partly due to a long socio-political and historical
development of the UK and France whose rivalries have become proverbial.
Second, the similarities between the two idioms can be used in teaching
and learning. Indeed, English has become THE foreign language to
acquire, and students usually have gained some knowledge of it when they
start studying French. However, the closeness of the two idioms can be
both beneficial and harmful. On the one hand, the large percentage of
everyday vocabulary (50% in the first 1000 English words stem from
French) and some grammar structures (e.g. conditionals) facilitate the
acquisition of French. On the other hand, the language elements are
closely related, but not identical, which can lead – and indeed leads –
to some degree of confusion at all language levels. This grammar aims to
clarify those dark zones.
The course is divided into 13 chapters covering the areas of
pronunciation, morphology, vocabulary and syntax, each of which contains
a brief explanation and a section with interactive exercises. The last
chapter offers a final test in the form of revision exercises.
We wish you much success in your studies!