B2 Advanced Syntax 14 min read Easy

Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif)

Use laisser + infinitif to describe permission or indifference where the subject allows someone else to act.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'laisser' + infinitive to express allowing or causing an action to happen to someone or something.

  • Laisser acts as the main conjugated verb: 'Je laisse' (I let).
  • The infinitive verb follows immediately: 'Je laisse tomber' (I let it fall).
  • Direct objects (le/la/les) precede 'laisser': 'Je le laisse partir' (I let him go).
Subject + Laisser (conjugated) + Infinitive Verb + (Optional Object)

Overview

In French grammar, the concept of causing or allowing an action to be performed by someone or something else is handled by a specific structure known as the causative construction. While you may already be familiar with the factitive causative faire + infinitif (to make someone do something), its equally important counterpart is the permissive causative: laisser + infinitif. This structure is fundamental for expressing permission, allowance, non-intervention, and even negligence.

It's the grammatical tool for describing a situation where the subject of the sentence steps back and lets an action unfold without being the one to perform it.

At its core, laisser + infinitif distinguishes between the entity permitting an action and the entity performing it. Consider the difference: Je fais réparer ma voiture (I'm having my car repaired) implies you initiated and arranged the action. In contrast, Je laisse mon ami réparer ma voiture (I'm letting my friend repair my car) implies your friend offered or wanted to, and you are simply allowing it.

This nuance between forcing and allowing is central to the distinction between faire and laisser. Mastering this construction is a hallmark of the B2 level, as it allows for more precise and natural expression in complex social and professional situations.

The structure appears simple on the surface—a conjugated form of laisser followed by a verb in its infinitive form—but its sophistication lies in how it interacts with object pronouns and how its meaning shifts based on context. It covers everything from a parent explicitly permitting a child to go to a party (Je te laisse aller à la fête) to a cook negligently letting a pot boil over (J'ai laissé déborder la casserole). Understanding this pattern is not just about learning a rule; it's about grasping a key aspect of French sentence dynamics and agency.

How This Grammar Works

The laisser + infinitif construction functions as a single verb complex where laisser is the main, conjugated verb and the infinitive provides the specific action being allowed. The subject of laisser is the causer—the one granting permission or allowing the action. The entity that actually performs the action of the infinitive is the agent.
The grammatical role of this agent is the most critical and complex part of this rule, as it determines which object pronouns (le/la vs. lui/leur) you must use.
The agent's role changes depending on the structure of the phrase that follows. There are two primary scenarios:
  1. 1The infinitive has no direct object (COD). In this case, the agent performing the action is treated as the direct object of laisser. For example, in Le videur laisse entrer les clients (The bouncer lets the customers enter), the customers (les clients) are performing the action of entering, and since entrer has no direct object, les clients is the COD of laisse. If we replace it with a pronoun, we use a direct object pronoun: Le videur les laisse entrer.
  1. 1The infinitive already has its own direct object (COD). When the action verb is transitive and has its own object, the agent is demoted to the role of an indirect object of laisser. In the sentence Je laisse mon fils conduire ma voiture (I let my son drive my car), the infinitive conduire already has a direct object: ma voiture. Therefore, the agent, mon fils, is grammatically an indirect object. When this agent is a pronoun, you must use an indirect object pronoun: Je lui laisse conduire ma voiture.
This distinction is the key to mastering pronoun placement. It's a logical system that avoids ambiguity about who is doing what to whom. The following table clarifies this fundamental principle:
| Condition | Agent's Grammatical Role | Example with Noun | Example with Pronoun | Translation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Infinitive has no COD | Agent is Direct Object (COD) | Je laisse parler l'avocat. | Je le laisse parler. | I let the lawyer speak. / I let him speak. |
| Infinitive has a COD | Agent is Indirect Object (COI) | Je laisse l'avocat expliquer la situation. | Je lui laisse expliquer la situation. | I let the lawyer explain the situation. / I let him explain it. |

Formation Pattern

1
The structure is consistent across all tenses. The core pattern involves the subject, the conjugated verb laisser, any object pronouns, and the infinitive. Object pronouns, as is standard in French, are placed immediately before the conjugated verb, which in this case is laisser.
2
The general formula is:
3
Sujet + (ne) + [Pronom(s) Objet] + laisser (conjugué) + (pas) + Infinitif + [Compléments]
4
Let's examine this pattern in different contexts:
5
1. Simple Tenses (with pronouns)
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Présent: Elle me laisse utiliser son ordinateur. (She lets me use her computer.)
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Imparfait: Mes parents ne nous laissaient jamais regarder la télé après 22h. (My parents never let us watch TV after 10 p.m.)
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Futur Simple: Le professeur vous laissera choisir le sujet. (The professor will let you choose the topic.)
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2. Compound Tenses (like Passé Composé)
10
In compound tenses, the auxiliary (avoir or être for pronominal form) is conjugated, and laisser becomes the past participle laissé. The pronouns still precede the auxiliary.
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Passé Composé: Son manager l'a laissé prendre un jour de congé. (His manager let him take a day off.)
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Plus-que-parfait: Elle s'était laissé convaincre trop facilement. (She had let herself be convinced too easily.)
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The Golden Rule of Agreement for laissé
14
This is a major source of error but has a simple, modern solution. When the past participle laissé is followed by an infinitive, it is always invariable. It does not agree with the preceding direct object. This is a specific exception to the standard avoir agreement rule, officially recognized by the 1990 French spelling reforms.
15
Les clés ? Je les ai laissé sur la table. (Correct) NOT laissées.
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La décision qu'elle a laissé prendre à son équipe... (Correct) NOT laissée.
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Les filles que j'ai laissé partir... (Correct) NOT laissées.
18
While you might see the old agreement in older texts, sticking to the invariable laissé is the correct and modern standard.
19
Pronoun Order Table
20
The placement of pronouns follows the standard order for multiple object pronouns before the verb:
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| Order | Pronouns | Example | Translation |
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| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
23
| 1 | me, te, se, nous, vous | Il se le laisse dire. | He lets it be said to him. |
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| 2 | le, la, l' | Je le lui laisse faire. | I let him do it. |
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| 3 | lui, leur | Ne le leur laisse pas voir. | Don't let them see it. |
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| 4 | y | Il y a une fête, mais je ne t'y laisse pas aller. | There's a party, but I'm not letting you go there. |
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| 5 | en | Il veut des bonbons, je le lui en laisse prendre un. | He wants candy, I'm letting him take one of them. |

When To Use It

This construction is used in several distinct scenarios, ranging from granting explicit permission to passive negligence. Recognizing these contexts will help you use the structure more accurately and idiomatically.
1. To Grant Explicit Permission or Authorization
This is the most direct usage, equivalent to "to allow" or "to permit." It's common in situations involving rules, consent, and authority.
  • Le règlement de la bibliothèque ne laisse pas les usagers boire du café dans la salle de lecture. (The library rules do not allow patrons to drink coffee in the reading room.)
  • Laissez-moi vous expliquer la situation. (Allow me to explain the situation to you.) - A formal, but common, turn of phrase.
  • Je te laisse prendre ma voiture, mais sois prudent. (I'll let you take my car, but be careful.)
2. For Non-Intervention or Tolerance
This describes a more passive form of allowance where the subject chooses not to intervene or stop an action already in progress or about to happen. It's less about granting permission and more about a lack of opposition.
  • Le chat voulait sortir, alors j'ai laissé la porte ouverte. (The cat wanted to go out, so I left the door open.)
  • Il a continué à parler, et je l'ai laissé dire sans l'interrompre. (He kept talking, and I let him speak without interrupting.)
  • Ses parents le laissent gérer son propre argent de poche. (His parents let him manage his own pocket money.)
3. To Indicate Negligence or an Unintended Outcome
In this context, laisser takes on a negative connotation, implying that the subject inadvertently or carelessly allowed something to happen, often with undesirable results.
  • Pendant que je téléphonais, j'ai laissé brûler le riz. (While I was on the phone, I let the rice burn.)
  • Ne laisse pas ton sac sans surveillance. (Don't leave your bag unattended / Don't let it be unsupervised.)
4. The Pronominal Form: se laisser + infinitif
This reflexive form means "to let something happen to oneself." It describes a person's receptiveness, passivity, or vulnerability to an external influence or action.
  • Il est très persuasif ; elle s'est laissé convaincre en cinq minutes. (He is very persuasive; she let herself be convinced in five minutes.)
  • Après une longue journée, il s'est laissé tomber sur le canapé. (After a long day, he let himself fall onto the sofa.)
  • Ne te laisse pas avoir par ses belles promesses. (Don't let yourself be fooled by his nice promises.)
5. In Fixed Idiomatic Expressions
Laisser is a component of several high-frequency idioms that are essential for fluent conversation.
  • laisser tomber: Literally "to let fall." It means "to drop it," "to give up on," or "to dump someone." Ex: Cette discussion ne mène à rien, laisse tomber. (This discussion is going nowhere, just drop it.)
  • laisser faire: To let things happen, to adopt a hands-off approach. It can describe a parenting style, a management philosophy, or a general life attitude. Ex: Face à ce problème complexe, il a décidé de laisser faire le temps. (Faced with this complex problem, he decided to let time do its work.)
  • se laisser dire que...: A sophisticated way to say "to have heard that" or "to be told," often for rumors. Ex: Je me suis laissé dire que le projet serait annulé. (I've been told that the project will be canceled.)

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter a few predictable pitfalls with laisser. Being aware of them is the first step to avoiding them.
1. Confusing laisser with partir or quitter
This is a classic false cognate trap. While English uses "to leave" for multiple meanings, French is more precise.
  • Laisser: To leave something behind. J'ai laissé mon parapluie au bureau. (I left my umbrella at the office.) It requires a direct object.
  • Partir: To leave/depart from a place. It is often used intransitively or with de. Je suis parti à 8h. (I left at 8.) Il est parti de Paris. (He left from Paris.)
  • Quitter: To leave a person, place, or job (implies a more permanent separation). Elle a quitté son mari. (She left her husband.) Il a quitté son travail. (He quit his job.)
| Verb | Usage | Example | Forbidden Use |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| laisser | Leave an object somewhere | Je laisse les clés sur la table. | Je laisse la fête. (Incorrect) |
| partir | Depart from a location | Je pars de la fête. | Je pars mes clés. (Incorrect) |
| quitter| Leave a person/place/job | Je quitte la fête. | Je quitte à Paris. (Incorrect) |
2. Incorrect Pronoun Placement
The rule is absolute: object pronouns go before the conjugated verb, which is laisser. Placing it before the infinitive is a common anglicism.
  • Incorrect: Je laisse le faire. (Sounds like Je laisse le fer - I'm leaving the iron.)
  • Correct: Je le laisse faire. (I'm letting him do it.)
3. Incorrect Past Participle Agreement
Learners who have diligently learned the avoir agreement rule with a preceding COD often over-apply it here. Remember the exception: laissé + infinitive is invariable.
  • Incorrect: Les musiciens que j'ai laissés jouer étaient talentueux.
  • Correct: Les musiciens que j'ai laissé jouer étaient talentueux.
Think of laissé jouer as a single, unbreakable block. The agreement doesn't penetrate it.
4. Using an Unnecessary Passive Construction
English often uses a passive structure like "I'm letting the house be painted." French achieves the same meaning with a simple active infinitive. The causative construction inherently carries this meaning.
  • Incorrect: Je laisse la maison être peinte par des professionnels.
  • Correct: Je laisse peindre la maison par des professionnels.

Real Conversations

Here is how laisser + infinitif appears in natural, everyday contexts.

S

Scenario 1

Text Message Exchange

- Aline: Salut ! Est-ce que je peux passer prendre la perceuse (drill) ce soir ? J'en ai besoin pour monter une étagère.

- Marc: Bien sûr. Je ne serai pas là, mais je te laisserai la porte du garage déverrouillée. Laisse-toi juste entrer.

- Aline: Super, merci ! Je la remettrai à sa place. T'inquiète.

- Marc: OK. Ah, et ne laisse pas le chat sortir, il est puni !

A

Analysis

Marc uses je te laisserai la porte... (I will leave the door for you...), a standard use of laisser. He then uses the pronominal causative Laisse-toi entrer (Let yourself in). Finally, he gives a negative command: ne laisse pas le chat sortir (don't let the cat go out).
S

Scenario 2

At the Office

- Manager: Le client est furieux à propos du retard. Il faut régler ça avant midi.

- Employee: Je m'en occupe. Laissez-moi gérer. Je vais l'appeler tout de suite.

- Manager: D'accord. Je vous laisse faire, mais tenez-moi au courant.

A

Analysis

The employee uses the formal imperative Laissez-moi gérer (Let me handle it), a powerful way to take ownership. The manager responds with Je vous laisse faire (I'll let you do it), indicating trust and delegation.
S

Scenario 3

Casual Chat About a Date

- Chloé: Alors, ton rendez-vous avec ce type d'hier soir ?

- Léa: Une catastrophe. Il était tellement arrogant. Je l'ai laissé parler de ses succès pendant une heure.

- Chloé: T'es sérieuse ? Pourquoi tu n'as rien dit ?

- Léa: Au début, j'essayais d'être polie, mais à la fin je me suis juste laissée aller, en pensant à ma série Netflix. J'ai laissé tomber.

A

Analysis

Léa uses Je l'ai laissé parler to describe her passive non-intervention. She then uses se laisser aller (to let oneself go/zone out) and the idiom j'ai laissé tomber (I gave up/dropped it).

Quick FAQ

Q: What is the real difference between laisser faire and permettre de faire?
A: The main difference is formality and context. Permettre de is formal, official, and administrative. It means "to grant authorization." You would find it on signs (Il est permis de...) or in legal documents.
Laisser is used in virtually all other contexts—it is the default for everyday permission, tolerance, and non-interference. Using permettre in a casual conversation can sound stiff or overly dramatic.
Q: Is it correct to say laisse-moi savoir for "let me know"?
A: This is a very common anglicism, a direct translation (a calque) of "let me know." While many French speakers will understand it, it is not idiomatic. The correct, native expressions are fais-moi savoir (the most direct equivalent), tiens-moi au courant (keep me informed), or simply dis-moi (tell me). You should avoid laisse-moi savoir, especially in professional or formal writing.
Q: How do I say "Let's..." as in "Let's go" or "Let's eat"?
A: This common English construction is expressed in French using the first-person plural (nous) form of the imperative, not with laisser. For example, Allons-y ! (Let's go!), Mangeons ! (Let's eat!), Commençons. (Let's begin.). Using laisser would completely change the meaning: Laissons-nous aller means "Let's let ourselves go," which implies losing inhibitions, not starting an action.
Q: Is the past participle agreement rule for laissé + infinitive absolute?
A: For all practical purposes in modern French, yes. The 1990 spelling reforms established that laissé followed by an infinitive remains invariable. You may occasionally encounter the older agreement in pre-1990 literature or from older, more traditional writers, where laissé would agree with a preceding direct object if that object was the agent of the infinitive.
However, as a learner, adhering strictly to the invariable rule (j'ai laissé, je les ai laissé, la fille que j'ai laissé partir) is the simplest, safest, and most current approach.

Conjugation of 'Laisser' (Present Tense)

Pronoun Form Example
Je
laisse
Je laisse partir.
Tu
laisses
Tu laisses manger.
Il/Elle
laisse
Il laisse entrer.
Nous
laissons
Nous laissons faire.
Vous
laissez
Vous laissez parler.
Ils/Elles
laissent
Ils laissent sortir.

Meanings

The causative 'laisser' indicates that the subject permits or allows an action to be performed by someone else or allows an event to occur.

1

Permission

Granting permission for an action.

“Il laisse son chien entrer.”

“Laissez-moi réfléchir.”

2

Passive Causation

Allowing something to happen to an object.

“J'ai laissé brûler le gâteau.”

“Il a laissé tomber son verre.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Laisser + Inf
Je laisse dormir.
Negative
Ne + Laisser + pas + Inf
Je ne laisse pas dormir.
Question
Laisser + Subject + Inf
Laisses-tu dormir ?
Pronoun
Pronoun + Laisser + Inf
Je le laisse dormir.
Passé Composé
Avoir + laissé + Inf
J'ai laissé dormir.
Imperative
Laisser + Inf
Laissez-moi tranquille.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Veuillez me laisser partir.

Veuillez me laisser partir. (Leaving a situation)

Neutral
Laissez-moi partir.

Laissez-moi partir. (Leaving a situation)

Informal
Laisse-moi partir.

Laisse-moi partir. (Leaving a situation)

Slang
Lâche-moi.

Lâche-moi. (Leaving a situation)

The Laisser Universe

Laisser

Permission

  • Permettre Allow

Negligence

  • Oublier Forget
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Examples by Level

1

Laisse-moi tranquille.

Leave me alone.

2

Je laisse le chat entrer.

I let the cat in.

3

Il laisse manger le chien.

He lets the dog eat.

4

Laisse-le partir.

Let him go.

1

Elle ne me laisse pas sortir.

She doesn't let me go out.

2

Tu laisses les enfants jouer ?

Do you let the kids play?

3

J'ai laissé tomber mon livre.

I let my book fall.

4

Ne laisse pas la porte ouverte.

Don't leave the door open.

1

Je vais laisser mon collègue gérer ça.

I will let my colleague handle that.

2

Il a laissé passer sa chance.

He let his chance pass.

3

Laissez-nous finir notre travail.

Let us finish our work.

4

Elle ne se laisse pas faire.

She doesn't let herself be pushed around.

1

Il a laissé entendre qu'il partirait.

He implied that he would leave.

2

Je ne peux pas laisser cette situation perdurer.

I cannot let this situation continue.

3

Elle a laissé ses clés sur la table.

She left her keys on the table.

4

Laissez-les s'exprimer librement.

Let them express themselves freely.

1

Il s'est laissé aller à la mélancolie.

He gave way to melancholy.

2

Laisser dire les gens est une forme de sagesse.

Letting people talk is a form of wisdom.

3

Je me suis laissé convaincre par ses arguments.

I let myself be convinced by his arguments.

4

Ne laissez rien au hasard.

Don't leave anything to chance.

1

Il a laissé planer un doute sur ses intentions.

He let a doubt hang over his intentions.

2

Elle se laisse porter par le courant.

She lets herself be carried by the current.

3

Il ne faut pas se laisser abattre par l'échec.

One must not let oneself be defeated by failure.

4

Laisser à désirer est une litote courante.

To leave something to be desired is a common litotes.

Easily Confused

Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif) vs Laisser vs Faire

Both are causative.

Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif) vs Laisser vs Permettre

Both mean allow.

Letting things happen: The French Causative (Laisser + infinitif) vs Laisser vs Quitter

Both translate to 'leave'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je laisse à manger.

✓

Je laisse manger.

No preposition needed.
✗

Je le laisse le faire.

✓

Je le laisse faire.

Double object confusion.
✗

J'ai laissé mangé.

✓

J'ai laissé manger.

Past participle vs infinitive.
✗

Il s'est laissé de faire.

✓

Il s'est laissé faire.

Reflexive structure error.

Sentence Patterns

Je laisse ___ faire.

Ne laisse pas ___ tomber.

Je me suis laissé ___ par ses mots.

Il a laissé ___ le doute.

Real World Usage

Social Media common

Laissez un commentaire !

Workplace very common

Je laisse mon équipe gérer.

Texting constant

Laisse tomber.

Travel occasional

Laissez vos bagages ici.

Food Delivery common

Laissez la commande devant la porte.

Job Interview common

Je laisse mes résultats parler pour moi.

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💡

Pronoun Placement

Always put the pronoun before 'laisser', not the infinitive.
⚠️

No Prepositions

Never put 'à' or 'de' between 'laisser' and the verb.
🎯

Passé Composé

The past participle 'laissé' does not agree with the object if an infinitive follows.
💬

Laisser-faire

Use this term to sound sophisticated when discussing economics or management.

Smart Tips

Use the imperative 'Laisse-moi' + infinitive.

Je veux faire ça. → Laisse-moi faire.

Use 'laisser tomber' for 'to drop'.

J'ai fait tomber mon verre. → J'ai laissé tomber mon verre.

Use 'laisser' to show trust.

Je fais mon équipe travailler. → Je laisse mon équipe travailler.

If an infinitive follows, don't agree the past participle.

Je les ai laissés manger. → Je les ai laissé manger.

Pronunciation

le-zay-mwa

Liaison

Laissez-moi: the 'z' sound is clear.

Command

Laissez-moi ! ↘

Firm request.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Laisser is like a 'Lazy' gatekeeper; he just lets things pass through without stopping them.

Visual Association

Imagine a gatekeeper (Laisser) holding a gate open, letting people (the infinitive verbs) walk through freely.

Rhyme

Pour laisser faire, ne change rien à l'infinitif, c'est clair.

Story

Pierre is a relaxed manager. He lets his team work (Il laisse travailler son équipe). He lets the coffee get cold (Il laisse refroidir le café). He never forces anyone, he just lets things happen.

Word Web

PermettreAutoriserLaisser tomberLaisser faireLaisser passerLaisser tranquille

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, describe 3 things you are 'letting' happen around you (e.g., 'Je laisse la pluie tomber').

Cultural Notes

Used frequently in professional settings to show delegation.

Similar usage, often more informal.

Used in daily interactions to show respect for autonomy.

From Latin 'laxare' (to loosen/relax).

Conversation Starters

“

Que laissez-vous faire à vos enfants ?

“

Laissez-vous souvent les choses au hasard ?

“

Laissez-moi vous expliquer...

“

Est-ce que vous vous laissez facilement convaincre ?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you let someone help you.
Describe your management style.
What do you never let happen?
Reflect on a regret where you 'let' something happen.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Je ___ partir mon frère.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laisse
Je takes 'laisse'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je le laisse partir.
Pronoun before verb.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je laisse à manger le chien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je laisse manger le chien.
No preposition.
Transform to negative. Sentence Transformation

Je laisse parler mon ami.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne laisse pas parler mon ami.
Ne...pas surrounds 'laisser'.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To drop
Idiomatic meaning.
Select the right verb. Multiple Choice

Je ___ entendre qu'il viendrait.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
No agreement.
Reorder. Sentence Building

laisse / moi / finir / Je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Laisse-moi finir.
Imperative form.
Fill in the blank.

Il s'est ___ aller.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
Reflexive agreement.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Je ___ partir mon frère.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laisse
Je takes 'laisse'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je le laisse partir.
Pronoun before verb.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je laisse à manger le chien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je laisse manger le chien.
No preposition.
Transform to negative. Sentence Transformation

Je laisse parler mon ami.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne laisse pas parler mon ami.
Ne...pas surrounds 'laisser'.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Laisser tomber

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To drop
Idiomatic meaning.
Select the right verb. Multiple Choice

Je ___ entendre qu'il viendrait.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
No agreement.
Reorder. Sentence Building

laisse / moi / finir / Je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Laisse-moi finir.
Imperative form.
Fill in the blank.

Il s'est ___ aller.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
Reflexive agreement.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the text message Fill in the Blank

Désolé, j'ai ___ mon portable se décharger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
Translate to French Translation

Don't let them talk.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ne les laisse pas parler.
Order the words to say: 'I let her use my car.' Sentence Reorder

voiture / laisse / Je / la / conduire / ma

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je la laisse conduire ma voiture
Correct the pronoun placement Error Correction

Tu laisses me faire mon travail ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu me laisses faire mon travail ?
Match the French to the English meaning Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Laisse tomber = Forget it
Which one means 'She lets herself be tempted'? Multiple Choice

Choose the right reflexive form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Elle se laisse tenter.
Past tense agreement check Fill in the Blank

Nous les avons ___ partir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: laissé
Translate: 'Let me see.' Translation

How do you say it casually?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Laisse-moi voir.
Pick the sentence about non-intervention Multiple Choice

Which one means 'He let the fire go out'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il a laissé s'éteindre le feu.
Reorder for: 'We aren't letting the dog in.' Sentence Reorder

pas / laissons / ne / entrer / Nous / chien / le

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous ne laissons pas entrer le chien

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Almost any verb that describes an action that can be permitted.

Because the infinitive follows, the direct object is not considered the object of 'laisser'.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Use 'Laisse-moi' or 'Laissez-moi'.

'Laisser' is to leave something behind; 'quitter' is to depart from a place.

Yes: 'Je laisserai mon frère venir.'

Yes, 'Laisse tomber' is very common.

Use 'faire' instead of 'laisser'.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Dejar + infinitivo

None.

German high

Lassen + infinitiv

Word order in German is more rigid.

Japanese low

~saseru (causative)

French uses a separate verb.

Arabic moderate

Tarak + infinitive

Grammatical structure differs.

Chinese moderate

Rang (让)

Rang can mean both force and allow.

English high

Let + infinitive

English 'let' is invariant.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Past Participle Agreement with 'avoir' (Preceding COD)
Next
French Nominalization: Turning Verbs into Nouns (-tion, -ment)

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