Year 10 - French
Notre planète est en crise : infinitives as nouns, 'en train de' and 'venir de'
Communication and the world around us: mon nouveau pays
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit examines the use of direct and indirect object pronouns in the past tense, infinitives used as nouns, and the perfect tense when used as the equivalent of the present perfect. Furthermore, pupils will meet the present tense with depuis, être en train de, and venir de + infinitive.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe what is in the process of happening and what has just happened in the context of the environment.
Key Notes
- To talk about something that is 'in the process of' happening, we can use 'être en train de' + infinitive.
- The phrase 'être en train de' is usually translated using the -ing form of the verb in English.
- To talk about something that has just happened, we can use 'venir de' + infinitive.
- The English past participle translates the French infinitive when using 'venir de' + infinitive.
Vocabulary To Learn
- periphrastic phrase: a single idea expressed by several words, often including two verbs, e.g., 'is going to go'
- past participle: verb form that forms the perfect tense, together with the auxiliary verb
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- When using 'venir de' (to have just), the next word needs to be a past participle, like in English.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
To talk about something that is 'in the process of' happening, we can use 'être en train de' + infinitive. The phrase 'être en train de' is usually translated using the -ing form of the verb in English.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'periphrastic phrase'
a single idea expressed by several words, often including two verbs, e.g., 'is going to go'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: When using 'venir de' (to have just), the next word needs to be a past participle, like in English. Correction: In French, 'venir de' is like every other French verb followed by 'de'. It is always followed by a second verb in the infinitive.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Des histoires diverses : Present tense with 'depuis' Study Guide
- Il faut agir : Infinitives as nouns Study Guide
- Il m'a aidé : Direct and indirect object pronouns in the past tense Study Guide
- Ils sont venus à Paris : Present perfect Study Guide
- La journée d'un jeune migrant : Extended writing and speaking Study Guide
- Mon voyage dangereux : Direct and indirect object pronouns in the past tense Study Guide
- Mon voyage dangereux : extended writing and speaking Study Guide
- Un problème écologique : Extended writing and speaking, photo description Study Guide
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