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B1 noun 9 min de lectura

tentative

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos tentative en 30 segundos

Explicación tentative in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'tentative' means 'an attempt' or 'a try'. It is a feminine noun, so we say 'une tentative'. You might use it in very simple sentences to talk about trying something for the first time. For example, 'C'est ma première tentative' (It is my first attempt). At this stage, it is similar to 'un essai', but 'tentative' feels a bit more serious. Remember that it is not an adjective in French. You cannot use it to describe a person as being 'tentative'. It is always a thing—the act of trying.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'tentative' with the preposition 'de' followed by a verb. This allows you to describe what you are trying to do. For example, 'Sa tentative de parler français était bonne' (His attempt to speak French was good). You will also see this word in simple news stories or signs, like 'tentative de connexion' on a computer. It is important to distinguish 'une tentative' from 'un essai'. You 'faites un essai' when you test a product, but you 'faites une tentative' when you try to reach a goal or solve a difficult problem.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'tentative' in both spoken and written French to describe various efforts and initiatives. You should know common collocations like 'tentative infructueuse' (unsuccessful attempt) and 'tentative de réconciliation'. You understand that 'tentative' is often used in professional or news contexts to describe attempted actions that may or may not have succeeded. You also know that it is a feminine noun and never an adjective, avoiding the common English-speaker mistake of using it to mean 'provisional'.

At the B2 level, you use 'tentative' to express nuance in your descriptions of actions. You can discuss the difference between 'une tentative' and 'une démarche' (a procedural step) or 'une entreprise' (a larger undertaking). You are familiar with more complex structures, such as 'Il a échoué dans sa tentative de...' and you can use it in legal or formal contexts, such as 'une tentative de fraude'. You also recognize the word in literature and journalism, where it might describe abstract efforts like 'une tentative d'explication philosophique'.

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At the C1 level, 'tentative' is part of your precise vocabulary for describing human endeavors. You understand its subtle implications of uncertainty and the specific weight it carries in formal texts. You can use it to critique arguments ('une tentative de justification peu convaincante') or to describe complex social phenomena. You are aware of its legal definitions (the difference between 'tentative' and 'commencement d'exécution') and can use it fluently in academic writing to describe the scope of a study or a theory.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'tentative'. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, perhaps in literary analysis or philosophical debate, to describe the inherent limitations of human action ('la vaine tentative de saisir l'absolu'). You understand all its historical and legal nuances. You can effortlessly switch between 'tentative', 'velléité', 'essai', and 'entreprise' to convey the exact shade of meaning required by the context. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

tentative en 30 segundos

Tentative is a feminine French noun meaning 'attempt' or 'try'.
It is often followed by 'de' and an infinitive verb (e.g., tentative de gagner).
It is a false friend; it is NOT an adjective in French like it is in English.
Commonly used in news for 'attempted crimes' and in sports for 'record attempts'.

The French word tentative is a feminine noun that translates most directly to attempt or try in English. While it shares the same spelling as the English adjective 'tentative' (meaning hesitant or not certain), in French, it is strictly a noun. It refers to the action of trying to accomplish something, often with the implication that the outcome is uncertain or that the effort is a specific, singular event. It is a step above a simple 'essai' (trial) because it usually involves a clear goal or a difficult challenge.

Formal Context: In legal or journalistic French, 'tentative' is frequently used to describe crimes that were attempted but not completed, such as 'une tentative de vol' (an attempted robbery).
Personal Growth: In everyday life, it describes one's efforts to learn a new skill or solve a problem, highlighting the initiative taken rather than just the result.

Sa tentative d'escalader la montagne a été interrompue par la pluie.

The nuance of 'tentative' often suggests a deliberate, conscious effort. Unlike 'un essai', which can be a casual test (like trying on a shirt), a 'tentative' usually involves a strategy or a significant expenditure of energy. It is commonly followed by the preposition 'de' and an infinitive verb, such as 'une tentative de réconciliation' or 'une tentative de record du monde'. Understanding this word is crucial for B1 learners as it bridges the gap between basic vocabulary and more precise, descriptive language used in storytelling and reporting.

Malgré plusieurs tentatives, il n'a pas réussi à ouvrir la porte verrouillée.

Abstract Usage: It can also refer to intellectual or artistic efforts, such as a 'tentative d'explication' (an attempt at an explanation) or a 'tentative littéraire'.

When you hear this word in French news, it often carries a weight of seriousness. For example, 'une tentative de coup d'État' (an attempted coup) is a standard political phrase. In sports, you might hear about a 'tentative de dépassement' (an attempt to overtake) during a race. The word implies movement toward a goal, regardless of whether that goal is reached. This makes it a versatile tool for describing human ambition and the friction of reality.

C'est une tentative courageuse mais risquée dans ce contexte économique.

Using 'tentative' correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the prepositions that typically follow it. Most often, 'tentative' is followed by the preposition de and an infinitive verb or a noun phrase. This structure allows you to specify exactly what is being attempted. For instance, 'une tentative de record' (an attempt at a record) or 'une tentative de s'échapper' (an attempt to escape).

With Infinitives: Structure: [Noun] + de + [Infinitive]. Example: 'Sa tentative de comprendre le problème était sincère.'
With Nouns: Structure: [Noun] + de + [Noun]. Example: 'Une tentative de meurtre a été signalée hier soir.'

Chaque tentative infructueuse nous rapproche du succès final.

Adjectives often modify 'tentative' to describe the nature of the attempt. Common adjectives include 'infructueuse' (unsuccessful), 'vaine' (vain/useless), 'désespérée' (desperate), or 'réussie' (successful). Note that 'tentative' is often used when the outcome is negative or uncertain; if someone succeeds immediately, we might prefer 'réussite' or 'accomplissement'. However, one can certainly have a 'tentative réussie'.

L'athlète a échoué dans sa troisième tentative de saut en hauteur.

In professional writing, 'tentative' is used to describe initiatives or proposals. 'Une tentative de médiation' refers to an effort to mediate between two parties. In science, 'une tentative d'explication d'un phénomène' is an attempt to explain a phenomenon. The word conveys a sense of intellectual rigor and formal effort. It is less colloquial than 'essai', making it ideal for reports, essays, and news articles.

Quantifying Efforts: You can use 'première', 'deuxième', or 'dernière' with tentative. 'C'est ma dernière tentative avant d'abandonner.'

Finally, consider the verb 'faire'. You 'faites une tentative'. For example: 'Il a fait une tentative pour réparer la machine.' This is the most common way to express 'making an attempt'. You can also use 'entreprendre' (to undertake) for more formal or significant efforts: 'Le gouvernement a entrepris une tentative de réforme.'

You will encounter 'tentative' in various spheres of French life, from the evening news to sports commentary and academic lectures. It is a word that signals an action in progress or a past effort that had a specific goal. In the media, it is ubiquitous in crime reporting. Headlines often read 'Tentative de cambriolage' (Attempted burglary) or 'Tentative d'évasion' (Attempted escape). This usage is very precise, indicating that the act was started but not completed.

Le journal télévisé a rapporté une tentative de fraude massive.

Sports Broadcasting: Commentators use it for goal attempts in football ('une tentative de tir') or record-breaking tries in athletics.
Political Discourse: Politicians talk about 'une tentative de dialogue' when trying to negotiate with unions or other parties.

In an academic or literary setting, 'tentative' is used to describe intellectual endeavors. A professor might say, 'Dans ce chapitre, l'auteur propose une tentative de définition de la liberté.' Here, 'tentative' suggests that defining such a complex concept is an ongoing effort, perhaps never fully complete. It adds a layer of humility and precision to the discourse. Similarly, in science, a 'tentative expérimentale' is an experimental attempt to prove a hypothesis.

Sa tentative de conciliation entre les deux familles a finalement porté ses fruits.

In everyday conversation, while 'essai' is more common for small things (like trying a new recipe), 'tentative' is used when there's more at stake. If a friend is trying to quit smoking, they might say, 'C'est ma troisième tentative cette année.' This highlights the struggle and the importance of the effort. It's also used in tech contexts, like 'tentative de connexion' (login attempt) on a website or app. If you enter the wrong password, you'll often see a message about the number of 'tentatives restantes' (remaining attempts).

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is the false friend confusion. In English, 'tentative' is primarily an adjective (e.g., 'a tentative schedule'). In French, the word 'tentative' is only a noun. If you want to say 'a tentative plan' in French, you cannot say 'un plan tentative'. Instead, you should use 'un plan provisoire' or 'un projet de plan'.

Mistake: Adjective Usage: Incorrect: 'Nous avons un accord tentative.' Correct: 'Nous avons un accord de principe' or 'un accord provisoire'.
Mistake: Gender: Incorrect: 'Le tentative'. Correct: 'La tentative'. It is always feminine.

Attention : ne confondez pas le nom tentative avec l'adjectif anglais !

Another common error is using the wrong preposition. English speakers often want to say 'tentative pour [verb]', which is sometimes acceptable but 'tentative de [verb]' is the standard and more elegant French construction. For example, 'une tentative de s'évader' is better than 'une tentative pour s'évader'. Also, avoid confusing 'tentative' with 'attentat'. While 'tentative' is a general attempt, 'un attentat' specifically refers to a violent attack or an assassination attempt.

Finally, learners sometimes over-use 'tentative' when 'essai' would be more natural. Use 'essai' for testing things out (trying a new phone, a new sport, or a draft of an essay). Use 'tentative' when there is a clear, often difficult objective you are trying to reach. Saying 'J'ai fait une tentative de ce gâteau' sounds very dramatic, as if the cake was a dangerous mission; 'J'ai fait un essai de cette recette' is much more natural.

Understanding the synonyms and alternatives for 'tentative' helps you refine your French and avoid repetition. The most common alternative is essai. While 'tentative' is an effort toward a goal, 'un essai' is a test or a trial. You might 'faire un essai' to see if something works, but you 'faites une tentative' to achieve a specific result.

Tentative vs. Essai: 'Tentative' implies a goal; 'Essai' implies a test. Example: 'Une tentative de record' vs. 'Un essai de voiture'.
Tentative vs. Effort: 'Effort' is the energy expended; 'Tentative' is the discrete act of trying. Example: 'Il a fait beaucoup d'efforts dans sa tentative.'

Son essai était intéressant, mais sa tentative finale a échoué.

Other synonyms include démarche and entreprise. 'Une démarche' refers to a specific step or procedure taken, often in an administrative or social context (e.g., 'faire une démarche auprès de la mairie'). 'Une entreprise' can mean a company, but it also means a large-scale project or undertaking (e.g., 'une entreprise périlleuse'). Use 'tentative' for the specific act of trying, and 'entreprise' for the whole project.

In legal contexts, 'tentative' is often contrasted with 'infraction consommée' (a completed offense). If you are looking for a more poetic or dramatic word, you might use 'aventure' or 'pari' (bet/gamble) depending on the context. For example, 'C'est une tentative risquée' could be 'C'est un pari risqué'. Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance of the effort you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The root 'tent' is shared with words like 'tentation' (temptation) and 'tenter' (to try), showing the historical link between trying something and being tempted by it.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /tɑ̃.ta.tiv/

US /tɑ̃.ta.tiv/

The stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'tive'.

Rima con

active captive relative initiative native positive selective perspective

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it like the English 'tentative' (TEN-ta-tiv).
Adding an 'n' sound after the nasal vowel 'an'.
Making the 'e' at the end audible (it should be silent).
Stressing the first syllable.
Misgendering the word and treating it as masculine.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English cognate, but requires attention to context.

Escritura 3/5

Must remember it is a noun and feminine.

Expresión oral 3/5

Requires practice with the nasal 'an' sound.

Escucha 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to catch.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

tenter essai faire réussir échouer

Aprende después

démarche entreprise velléité achèvement accomplissement

Avanzado

infraction consommée commencement d'exécution désistement volontaire

Gramática que debes saber

Preposition 'de' after nouns of action

Une tentative de comprendre.

Gender agreement of adjectives

Une tentative réussie.

Nasal vowels (an/en)

t-en-tative.

Placement of adjectives

Une tentative désespérée.

Use of 'faire' with action nouns

Faire une tentative.

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Ejemplos por nivel

C'est une bonne tentative.

It is a good attempt.

Feminine noun with the adjective 'bonne'.

Ma première tentative a échoué.

My first attempt failed.

Subject of the sentence.

Est-ce votre tentative ?

Is this your attempt?

Possessive adjective 'votre'.

Une tentative suffit parfois.

One attempt is sometimes enough.

Simple subject-verb structure.

Il regarde la tentative.

He is watching the attempt.

Direct object.

C'est une tentative difficile.

It is a difficult attempt.

Adjective 'difficile' follows the noun.

Voici ma tentative.

Here is my attempt.

Used with 'voici'.

Pas de tentative aujourd'hui.

No attempt today.

Negative construction.

Sa tentative de cuisine était drôle.

His attempt at cooking was funny.

Tentative de + noun phrase.

J'ai fait une tentative pour l'aider.

I made an attempt to help him.

Faire une tentative pour + infinitive.

C'est une tentative de record.

It is a record attempt.

Tentative de + noun.

La tentative a duré deux heures.

The attempt lasted two hours.

Subject with a past tense verb.

Elle a réussi sa tentative.

She succeeded in her attempt.

Direct object of 'réussir'.

Une autre tentative est nécessaire.

Another attempt is necessary.

Adjective 'autre' and 'nécessaire'.

Nous attendons votre tentative.

We are waiting for your attempt.

Direct object.

Cette tentative est très importante.

This attempt is very important.

Demonstrative adjective 'cette'.

La tentative d'évasion a été déjouée.

The escape attempt was thwarted.

Passive voice with 'déjouée'.

Il a fait une tentative de réconciliation.

He made an attempt at reconciliation.

Common collocation 'tentative de réconciliation'.

Sa tentative d'explication n'était pas claire.

His attempt at an explanation was not clear.

Possessive adjective and negative structure.

Le site a bloqué la tentative de connexion.

The site blocked the login attempt.

Technical context.

C'est une tentative courageuse mais vaine.

It is a courageous but vain attempt.

Contrast of two adjectives.

Il a échoué dans sa tentative de gagner.

He failed in his attempt to win.

Echouer dans sa tentative de...

Plusieurs tentatives ont été nécessaires.

Several attempts were necessary.

Plural form and passive-like structure.

Sa tentative de chanter a surpris tout le monde.

His attempt to sing surprised everyone.

Infinitive clause as part of the subject.

La tentative de corruption a été signalée.

The attempted corruption was reported.

Formal legal vocabulary.

C'est une tentative délibérée de nuire.

It is a deliberate attempt to harm.

Adjective 'délibérée' and infinitive 'nuire'.

La tentative de médiation a échoué lamentablement.

The mediation attempt failed miserably.

Adverb 'lamentablement' modifying the verb.

Il s'agit d'une tentative d'intimidation.

It is an attempt at intimidation.

Structure 'Il s'agit de...'.

Sa tentative de justifier son retard a échoué.

His attempt to justify his lateness failed.

Infinitive 'justifier' after 'tentative de'.

Une tentative de coup d'État a secoué le pays.

An attempted coup shook the country.

Political vocabulary 'coup d'État'.

Toute tentative de fraude sera punie.

Any attempt at fraud will be punished.

Future passive 'sera punie'.

Elle a fait une tentative d'approche diplomatique.

She made an attempt at a diplomatic approach.

Compound noun phrase 'approche diplomatique'.

L'ouvrage est une tentative de synthèse historique.

The work is an attempt at a historical synthesis.

Academic usage.

Sa tentative de conciliation fut perçue comme un signe de faiblesse.

His attempt at conciliation was perceived as a sign of weakness.

Passé simple 'fut' and passive voice.

La tentative de sauvetage s'est avérée périlleuse.

The rescue attempt proved to be perilous.

Pronominal verb 's'avérer'.

Il a analysé chaque tentative avec une rigueur extrême.

He analyzed every attempt with extreme rigor.

Prepositional phrase 'avec une rigueur extrême'.

Cette tentative de réforme se heurte à une forte opposition.

This reform attempt is meeting with strong opposition.

Verb 'se heurter à'.

La tentative de stabilisation de la monnaie a échoué.

The attempt to stabilize the currency failed.

Economic context.

C'est une tentative de redéfinition des rapports sociaux.

It is an attempt to redefine social relations.

Abstract noun 'redéfinition'.

L'article dénonce une tentative de manipulation de l'opinion.

The article denounces an attempt to manipulate public opinion.

Verb 'dénoncer' with a complex object.

Sa tentative de s'extraire de sa condition sociale fut vaine.

His attempt to extract himself from his social condition was in vain.

Literary 's'extraire' and 'vaine'.

Le poème est une tentative d'épuisement d'un lieu.

The poem is an attempt to exhaust a place (describe everything).

Reference to Georges Perec's literary style.

La tentative d'hégémonie culturelle a suscité des résistances.

The attempt at cultural hegemony sparked resistance.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'hégémonie'.

Il ne s'agissait que d'une velléité, non d'une véritable tentative.

It was only a vague desire, not a true attempt.

Contrast between 'velléité' and 'tentative'.

La tentative de subversion fut étouffée dans l'œuf.

The attempt at subversion was nipped in the bud.

Idiom 'étouffée dans l'œuf'.

Cette tentative de théorisation manque de fondements empiriques.

This attempt at theorization lacks empirical foundations.

Epistemological vocabulary.

Elle a fait preuve d'une ténacité admirable dans sa tentative.

She showed admirable tenacity in her attempt.

Phrase 'faire preuve de'.

Toute tentative de réduction de la complexité serait illusoire.

Any attempt to reduce the complexity would be illusory.

Conditional mood 'serait'.

Colocaciones comunes

tentative infructueuse

tentative de meurtre

tentative de record

tentative de suicide

tentative de médiation

faire une tentative

dernière tentative

tentative d'évasion

tentative de corruption

tentative d'explication

Frases Comunes

À la première tentative

— On the first try. It describes immediate success.

Il a réussi l'examen à la première tentative.

Rester au stade de la tentative

— To remain at the attempt stage, meaning it was never completed.

Le projet est malheureusement resté au stade de la tentative.

Multiplier les tentatives

— To make many attempts repeatedly.

Elle multiplie les tentatives pour obtenir un rendez-vous.

Une vaine tentative

— A useless or pointless attempt that was doomed to fail.

C'était une vaine tentative de le convaincre.

Une tentative désespérée

— A desperate attempt made when all other options are gone.

Il a fait une tentative désespérée pour rattraper le train.

Échouer dans sa tentative

— To fail in one's attempt.

Il a échoué dans sa tentative de traverser la Manche.

Réussir sa tentative

— To succeed in one's attempt.

Elle a enfin réussi sa tentative de record.

Une tentative de rapprochement

— An attempt to get closer or reconcile with someone.

Il y a eu une tentative de rapprochement entre les deux pays.

Une tentative de vol

— An attempted theft or robbery.

La tentative de vol a été filmée par les caméras.

Une tentative audacieuse

— A bold or daring attempt.

C'est une tentative audacieuse pour un débutant.

Se confunde a menudo con

tentative vs tentative (English adjective)

In English, it means 'provisional'. In French, 'tentative' is only a noun meaning 'attempt'.

tentative vs essai

'Essai' is a trial or test; 'tentative' is a goal-oriented attempt.

tentative vs tentation

'Tentation' means 'temptation', not an attempt.

Modismos y expresiones

"Coup d'essai, coup de maître"

— Success on the very first attempt. Literally: 'Trial stroke, master stroke'.

Son premier roman a été un best-seller : coup d'essai, coup de maître !

literary

"Faire une tentative de trop"

— To try one time too many, often leading to failure or disaster.

Il a voulu skier sur la piste noire : c'était la tentative de trop.

neutral

"Se perdre en tentatives"

— To waste energy making too many disorganized attempts.

Il se perd en tentatives inutiles au lieu de se concentrer.

neutral

"Une tentative pour l'honneur"

— An attempt made just for the sake of pride, even if success is unlikely.

Il a fait une dernière tentative pour l'honneur avant de perdre.

neutral

"L'important, c'est la tentative"

— The effort matters more than the result. A common encouraging phrase.

Tu as perdu, mais l'important, c'est la tentative.

neutral

"Une tentative de la dernière chance"

— A last-ditch effort when failure seems certain.

Ils ont lancé une tentative de la dernière chance pour sauver l'entreprise.

neutral

"Être à sa énième tentative"

— To be on one's 'nth' (countless) attempt.

Elle en est à sa énième tentative pour arrêter de fumer.

informal

"Une tentative de diversion"

— An attempt to distract or divert attention.

Le politicien a fait une tentative de diversion pour éviter la question.

neutral

"Une tentative de séduction"

— An attempt to charm or seduce someone.

Sa tentative de séduction a été très subtile.

neutral

"Une tentative de passage en force"

— An attempt to force something through despite opposition.

Le gouvernement tente un passage en force pour sa nouvelle loi.

formal

Fácil de confundir

tentative vs Attentat

Sounds similar and both involve 'attempts' in a crime context.

'Attentat' is a violent attack or assassination attempt; 'tentative' is a general attempt.

Une tentative de vol n'est pas un attentat.

tentative vs Essai

Both mean 'try'.

'Essai' is for testing; 'tentative' is for achieving a difficult goal.

J'essaie une robe (essai), je tente de gravir l'Everest (tentative).

tentative vs Velléité

Both refer to wanting to do something.

'Velléité' is a weak, unacted-upon desire; 'tentative' is an actual effort.

Il a des velléités de voyage, mais n'a jamais fait de tentative pour partir.

tentative vs Tentation

Similar root.

'Tentation' is the desire to do something wrong or pleasant; 'tentative' is the act of trying.

Il a succombé à la tentation après sa tentative de régime.

tentative vs Expérience

Can mean 'test' in science.

'Expérience' is an experiment or life experience; 'tentative' is a single attempt.

L'expérience a nécessité plusieurs tentatives.

Patrones de oraciones

C'est une [adjective] tentative.

C'est une bonne tentative.

J'ai fait une tentative de [verb].

J'ai fait une tentative de nager.

Sa tentative de [noun] a [verb].

Sa tentative de record a réussi.

Malgré sa tentative de [verb], il a [verb].

Malgré sa tentative de s'expliquer, il a été puni.

Il s'agit d'une tentative de [abstract noun].

Il s'agit d'une tentative de déstabilisation.

Toute tentative de [verb] serait [adjective].

Toute tentative de s'évader serait inutile.

C'est une tentative de la dernière chance.

C'est une tentative de la dernière chance pour l'équipe.

La tentative a été déjouée par [noun].

La tentative a été déjouée par la police.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

tentative

tentation

Verbos

tenter

Adjetivos

tentant

Relacionado

attentat

tente

tendeur

tension

intention

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos

Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in both written and spoken French, especially in news and professional settings.

Errores comunes

Un tentative → Une tentative
The word is feminine.
Un plan tentative → Un plan provisoire
'Tentative' is not an adjective in French.
Tentative pour gagner → Tentative de gagner
'De' is the standard preposition.
Faire un tentative → Faire une tentative
Gender error with the verb 'faire'.
Une tentation de record → Une tentative de record
Confusing 'tentation' (temptation) with 'tentative' (attempt).

Consejos

Gender Check

Always pair 'tentative' with feminine adjectives. Example: 'une tentative sérieuse' (not sérieux).

News Vocabulary

If you read French newspapers, you'll see 'tentative de...' almost every day in the 'Faits Divers' (news snippets) section.

Professional Tone

Use 'tentative' in emails or reports to sound more professional than 'essai'.

Nasal 'an'

Practice the nasal 'an' in 'tentative' by saying 'en' as in 'enfant'.

The Tent

Remember the 'tent' mnemonic to associate the word with a physical effort.

False Friend Alert

Never use 'tentative' to mean 'not certain'. Use 'provisoire' instead.

Coup d'essai

Learn the idiom 'Coup d'essai, coup de maître' to impress native speakers.

Common Pairs

Memorize 'tentative infructueuse' as a single block of meaning.

Prepositions

Always use 'de' after 'tentative' when connecting to a verb.

Listen for the Article

In fast speech, 'une' or 'la' will tell you 'tentative' is coming.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'tent' being set up. It's a 'tent-ative' attempt to build a shelter. If it falls, you make another 'tentative'!

Asociación visual

Imagine a climber reaching for a ledge. That reach is a 'tentative'. It's a specific, visible effort toward a goal.

Word Web

tenter essai effort but échec réussite action projet

Desafío

Try to write three sentences about a goal you have, using the word 'tentative' in each one to describe your progress.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin 'tentativa', which comes from 'tentare' meaning 'to touch, to try, or to test'.

Significado original: A trial or a testing of something.

Romance (Latin)

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but be careful with 'tentative de suicide' in sensitive conversations.

English speakers often use 'tentative' as an adjective (tentative plan), which can lead to confusion when learning French.

Georges Perec's 'Tentative d'épuisement d'un lieu parisien' The legal code 'Code Pénal' regarding 'la tentative' Sports headlines during the Tour de France.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Legal/Crime

tentative de meurtre
tentative de vol
tentative de fraude
tentative d'évasion

Sports

tentative de record
tentative de tir
tentative de dépassement
tentative de saut

Academic/Professional

tentative d'explication
tentative de médiation
tentative de réforme
tentative de dialogue

Personal Life

première tentative
dernière tentative
tentative désespérée
tentative de réconciliation

Technology

tentative de connexion
tentative d'accès
tentative d'intrusion
nombre de tentatives

Inicios de conversación

"Quelle a été ta tentative la plus difficile cette année ?"

"As-tu déjà réussi quelque chose à la première tentative ?"

"Que penses-tu de cette tentative de réforme du gouvernement ?"

"Est-ce qu'une tentative infructueuse est toujours une perte de temps ?"

"Quelle tentative de record du monde trouves-tu la plus impressionnante ?"

Temas para diario

Décrivez une tentative de faire quelque chose de nouveau qui a échoué, et ce que vous avez appris.

Parlez d'une tentative réussie dont vous êtes particulièrement fier.

Pourquoi est-il important de continuer les tentatives même quand on échoue ?

Analysez une tentative de médiation célèbre dans l'histoire.

Imaginez votre prochaine grande tentative : quel est votre but et comment allez-vous vous y prendre ?

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is always feminine: 'la tentative' or 'une tentative'.

No, 'tentative' is only a noun in French. To say 'a tentative plan', use 'un plan provisoire'.

'Essai' is more like a test or trial (trying something out), while 'tentative' is a specific effort to achieve a goal, often a difficult one.

It is 'tentative de meurtre'.

Usually 'de' followed by an infinitive or a noun (e.g., tentative de record).

No, for 'hesitant', use the adjective 'hésitant'.

Yes, it is the standard way to say 'to make an attempt'.

It means an 'unsuccessful attempt'.

No, 'tentative de' is the correct prepositional structure.

Yes, very often for goal attempts or record-breaking tries.

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