French Grammar Hub

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Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

512 Total Rules
102 Chapters
6 CEFR level
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Active filters: CEFR level: C1
C1 Literary Tenses Verified

The 'Fancy' Past: Using Passé Antérieur after Time Words

The Passé Antérieur marks a completed action just before another formal past action, primarily in literary contexts.

  • • Used in formal writing to show an action finished...
  • • Always follows time words like `quand`, `dès que`,...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

French Literary Past (Passé Antérieur)

The `passé antérieur` is a literary tense used for immediate past actions preceding another action in `passé simple`.

  • • Used in literature to show an action happening imm...
  • • Formed with `avoir` or `être` in `passé simple` +...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

Literary Past Tense: Tenir & Venir (Passé Simple)

Recognize 'vins' and 'tins' as the literary past tense of 'venir' and 'tenir' found in stories.

  • • Used only in formal writing, literature, and histo...
  • • Stems for 'tenir' and 'venir' change to 'tin-' and...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

French Literary Past: -er Verbs (Passé simple)

The Passé simple is the literary past tense used exclusively in writing to describe completed actions for storytelling.

  • • Used only in formal writing, literature, and histo...
  • • Replaces the Passé composé for completed past acti...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

French Literary Past (-oir & -re verbs)

The Passé Simple is the literary past tense; recognize its 'I' and 'U' endings to unlock French books.

  • • Used only in writing like novels, history, and for...
  • • Verbs end in either 'I' or 'U' patterns.
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

French Literary Past: Running & Dying (courir, mourir)

The Passé Simple is a literary tense for written stories, using 'u' stems for verbs like courir and mourir.

  • • Used only in formal writing and literature.
  • • Replaces Passé Composé for narrative storytelling.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

Telling Stories: Passé Simple vs Imparfait

Use Imparfait for the background vibes and Passé Simple for the specific actions that drive the story forward.

  • • Passé simple is for quick, completed actions in wr...
  • • Imparfait describes settings, feelings, habits, an...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Adjectives & Adverbs Verified

French Adjectives That Change Meaning (Position Matters)

Placement matters: move certain French adjectives before the noun for emotional vibes, or after for physical facts.

  • • Position changes the meaning of certain French adj...
  • • Before the noun: usually figurative or emotional m...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Adjectives & Adverbs Verified

The French Adjective 'ancien' (Former vs. Old)

Place `ancien` before the noun for 'former' and after the noun for 'old/antique'.

  • • Before the noun: means 'former' or 'previous'.
  • • After the noun: means 'old', 'ancient', or 'antiqu...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Syntax Verified

French Noun Formation (Nominalisation)

Turn verbs into nouns using suffixes to create punchy, professional titles and clear descriptions of actions.

  • • Nominalization turns verbs into nouns to sound mor...
  • • Common masculine suffixes include -ment and -age;...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Literary Tenses Verified

The Story Tense (Le passé simple)

Recognize the passé simple in books as the one-word 'story tense' for completed past actions.

  • • Used only in formal writing, literature, and histo...
  • • Replaces the passé composé in written narratives.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Syntax Verified

French Email & Letter Closings (Formules de politesse)

Always match your closing to your relationship: Cordialement for work, Amicalement for friends, and formal phrases for officials.

  • • Closings must match the formality of the recipient...
  • • Cordialement is the standard, safe choice for all...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Syntax Verified

French Literary Cause: Using the Present Participle (-ant)

Use the present participle to elegantly replace 'because' in formal writing by linking cause directly to action.

  • • Replaces 'parce que' for a more formal and elegant...
  • • Formed using the 'nous' stem plus the ending '-ant...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Why Learn French Grammar?

Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:

Build Accurate Sentences

Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.

Pass Language Exams

Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.

Understand Native Speakers

Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.

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Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.

How Our French Grammar Course Works

1

Choose Your Level

Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

2

Study Structured Chapters

Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.

3

Practice with Exercises

Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.

4

Track & Progress

Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Grammar

SubLearn covers 512 French grammar rules organized across 6 CEFR proficiency levels (from A1 to C2), spanning 102 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our French grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A1 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All French grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 102 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.

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