Learning French can be a rewarding adventure, especially when you expand your vocabulary with powerful verbs that help you express yourself more clearly. Let’s break down seven key verbs to level up your French, with explanations and real-life examples!
1. Éviter — To Avoid
This verb is perfect for talking about steering clear of unwanted situations or actions.
Example: "Il évite les distractions pour rester concentré sur son travail."
(He avoids distractions to stay focused on his work.)
2. Prétendre — To Claim (or Pretend)
Be careful with this one! It looks like the English word "pretend," but it often means "to claim" rather than "to act as if."
Example: "Elle prétend ne pas connaître la réponse, mais en réalité elle la connaît très bien."
(She claims not to know the answer, but in reality, she knows it very well.)
3. Contribuer — To Contribute
Use this verb when talking about participating or adding to a collective effort.
Example: "Chaque membre de l'équipe doit contribuer au succès du projet."
(Every team member must contribute to the success of the project.)
4. Envisager — To Consider or Plan
This verb helps you express when you’re thinking about future possibilities or making plans.
Example: "Ils envisagent de déménager dans une autre ville l'année prochaine." (They are considering moving to another city next year.)
5. Favoriser — To Promote or Encourage
When you want to talk about helping something grow or succeed, this verb is your friend.
Example: "Le gouvernement veut favoriser l’accès à l'éducation pour tous." (The government wants to promote access to education for everyone.)
6. Persuader — To Persuade or Convince
If you need to talk about convincing someone to do or believe something, use persuader.
Example: "Elle a réussi à persuader ses amis de partir en voyage avec elle."
(She managed to persuade her friends to go on a trip with her.)
7. Révéler — To Reveal or Uncover
When it’s time to talk about bringing hidden information to light, révéler is the perfect verb.
Example: "Le journaliste a révélé des informations confidentielles dans son article."
(The journalist revealed confidential information in his article.)
Why These Verbs Matter
Mastering these verbs will help you express yourself more naturally and precisely in French. They’re useful in everyday conversations, whether you’re talking about plans, sharing opinions, or discussing current events.
If you are ready to take your French to the next level, practice these expressions in real-life conversations. Join our Fourmi Conversations workshops, where you can practice speaking with other learners and get guidance from expert teachers. It’s the perfect way to reinforce what you’ve learned. Find all the info here. Don't miss out on the opportunity to boost your confidence in French!
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