CLEP French Language key terms

A short agreeing reply used when someone makes a negative statement and the same is true for you; it means 'me neither' or 'nor me.'

A short reply showing that a positive statement about someone else also applies to you; it means 'me too' or 'I do too.'

An expression of resignation meaning 'too bad' or 'never mind,' used when something cannot be changed or a chance is lost.

An expression of satisfaction meaning 'so much the better' or 'that's good,' used when a situation turns out favorably.

An exclamation of surprise or mild disbelief, roughly 'wow' or 'well, well,' used in reaction to unexpected news.

An emphatic negative reply meaning 'of course not,' used to reject a suggestion or correct a mistaken assumption.

A reply meaning 'it depends,' used when the answer to a question varies according to circumstances that have not yet been stated.

A phrase meaning 'on the contrary,' used to disagree politely or to introduce an opposing idea after a negative statement.

An adverb meaning 'suddenly,' used to mark an abrupt change of action or an unexpected event in a narrative.

An adverb meaning 'suddenly,' often placed at the start of a sentence to introduce a surprising turn of events.

A conjunction meaning 'as soon as,' introducing an event that happens immediately after another; it normally takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

A construction meaning 'in the middle of' or 'currently doing,' formed with être + en train de + infinitive to emphasize an action in progress.

A construction meaning 'to have just done something,' as in 'je viens d'arriver' (I have just arrived); it uses the present tense of venir.

An expression meaning 'to be late,' used about a person or about a train, bus, or flight that arrives after the expected time.

A sequence of connectors meaning 'first … then … finally,' used to organize the steps of a narrative or an explanation in order.

An adverb meaning 'currently' or 'at present.' It is a false friend: it does not mean 'actually,' which is 'en fait' or 'en réalité.'

An adverb meaning 'possibly' or 'if need be.' It is a false friend: it does not mean 'eventually,' which is 'finalement' or 'à la longue.'

A verb phrase meaning 'to attend' an event such as a concert or a class. It is a false friend: it does not mean 'to assist' someone.

A verb phrase meaning 'to take an exam' in French. Note that 'passer' here does not mean 'to pass' in the sense of succeeding.

A verb phrase meaning 'to visit' a person, such as a friend or a relative. It is not used for visiting a place, where 'visiter' is preferred.

A reflexive verb phrase meaning 'to realize' or 'to become aware of' something; it is followed by a noun or by 'que' plus a clause.

A verb phrase meaning 'to need' something or someone; it is followed by a noun or an infinitive and is far more common than the verb 'nécessiter.'

A preposition meaning 'despite' or 'in spite of,' followed directly by a noun. It is never followed by 'que' plus a clause.

A preposition meaning 'thanks to,' introducing a cause that is viewed positively; it is the opposite in tone of 'à cause de.'

A preposition meaning 'because of,' introducing a cause that is usually viewed as negative or as the source of a problem.

A conjunction meaning 'although,' always followed by the subjunctive: 'bien qu'il soit tard' (although it is late).

An impersonal expression meaning 'it is necessary that,' followed by the subjunctive: 'il faut que tu partes' (you must leave).

A relative pronoun meaning 'of which,' 'of whom,' or 'whose,' replacing a phrase introduced by 'de': 'le livre dont je parle.'

An adverbial pronoun meaning 'there' or 'about it/them,' replacing a place or a phrase with 'à': 'j'y vais,' 'j'y pense.'

An adverbial pronoun meaning 'of it,' 'of them,' or 'some,' replacing a phrase with 'de' or a quantity: 'j'en veux.'

A conjunction meaning 'therefore' or 'so,' used to introduce a logical conclusion or a consequence of what was just said.

An adverb meaning 'however' or 'yet,' used to introduce a fact that contrasts with what was just stated or expected.

A phrase meaning 'indeed' or 'in fact,' used to confirm or explain a statement that has just been made.

A phrase meaning 'consequently' or 'as a result,' used to introduce the logical result of a preceding statement, especially in formal writing.

A phrase meaning 'on the other hand' or 'by contrast,' used to balance two ideas by presenting an opposing point.

An impersonal expression meaning 'it is about,' 'it concerns,' or 'the question is,' used to identify the topic or subject of a text.

A conjunction meaning 'while' or 'whereas,' used to contrast two simultaneous facts or two opposing ideas.

A conjunction meaning 'whatever' or 'no matter what,' followed by the subjunctive: 'quoi qu'il dise' (whatever he says).