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Lesson 45 – Pronominal verbs in French

  1. theory
    definition
    4 categories of pronominal verbs
  2. exercises 🔥
  3. comments

Theory

a) definition

pronominal verbs are used when a subject is doing the action for himself and the reflexive pronouns “me, te, se, nous, vous, se” are placed before the verb

 to wonder : se demander

je me demande
tu te demandes
il / elle / on se demande
nous nous demandons
vous vous demandez
ils / elles se demandent

 

⚠️ some verbs exist only in the pronominal form, others change meaning in the pronominal forms

only pronominal : se méfier

« Je me méfie de ce détective …  »
I’m suspicious of this detective 

both forms : demander, se demander

« L’étranger demande le chemin. »
The stranger’s asking for directions

« Il se demande où trouver des filles à chapeau. »
He’s wondering where to find girls with hats 

 

b) 4 categories of pronominal verbs

  1. le verbe pronominal passif
    the subject receives the action passively

la mer se voit depuis le balcon
the sea can be seen from the balcony

⚠️la mer est vue depuis le balcon
the sea is seen from the balcon 

 

  1. le verbe pronominal réfléchi
    the subject receives the action

elle se pomponne devant le miroir
she’s preening herself in front of the mirror 

 

  1. le verbe pronominal réciproque
    the action is acted out by all participants

ils se regardèrent tous
they all looked at each other

 

  1. le verbe pronominal subjectif
    the subject does not receive the action

il se paie la tête de Robotron 18ProMax
he’s making fun of Robotron 18ProMax


Exercises

Results

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#1. I wonder if I passed the test

#2. He's wondering if the Rams won the Super Bowl LVI

#3. You're wondering if that's true, aren't you ?

#4. Je me douche tous les matins à 4 heures / I shower every morning at 4

#5. R8A1 et SP1A se renvoient la balle / R8A1 and SP1A are passing the ball to each other

Terminer

 

Comments