Essential French Grammar (2012)
Some Useful Expressions
Here are some useful idiomatic expressions which have not appeared in the main body of this little grammar, and which are often neglected by phrase books.
Quelle est la date? |
What is the date? |
C‘est aujourd’hui le premier août (le deux août). |
Today is August 1 (August 2). |
à l’américaine |
in the American fashion |
à la française |
in the French fashion |
à peu pres |
about, approximately |
À quoi bon ? |
What’s the use? |
au lieu de |
instead of |
c‘est-à-dire |
that is to say |
d’abord |
at first |
d‘ordinaire |
usually, generally |
en effet |
as a matter of fact |
en tout cas |
at any rate |
encore une fois |
once more |
entendu |
all right, fine, O.K. |
bien entendu |
of course |
N’importe. |
It doesn’t matter. |
par exemple |
for example |
par ici |
this way, through here |
par là |
that way, through there |
pas du tout |
not at all |
quant à (lui) |
as for (him) |
sans doute |
without doubt, no doubt |
Service compris? |
Is the tip included? |
de temps en temps |
from time to time |
tout à coup |
suddenly |
tout à fait |
completely, entirely |
tout à l’heure |
a little while ago, in a little while |
tout droit |
straight ahead |
tout le monde |
everybody |
toute la semaine |
the whole week, all week |
toutes les semaines |
every week |