Meaning
To attach importance or value to something; to take something into account.
Cultural Background
In French intellectual circles, 'faire cas de' is a marker of 'noblesse d'esprit'. It shows you are capable of evaluating ideas based on merit rather than emotion. In Quebec, the phrase is often found in legal and administrative documents, maintaining a high level of formality inherited from the 'Ancien Régime' French. In formal West African French, which often preserves more classical structures, 'faire cas de' is used in diplomatic and respectful speech to honor an elder's advice. In Belgian administrative French, 'faire cas de' is used similarly to France, often in the context of taking official complaints into account.
Use with 'en'
To sound like a native C1 speaker, use the pronoun 'en'. 'Il n'en fait pas cas' is much more natural in a debate than repeating the whole noun phrase.
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends at a bar. It will sound like you're reading from a textbook. Stick to 's'en foutre' (slang) or 'ne pas s'intéresser à' (neutral).
Meaning
To attach importance or value to something; to take something into account.
Use with 'en'
To sound like a native C1 speaker, use the pronoun 'en'. 'Il n'en fait pas cas' is much more natural in a debate than repeating the whole noun phrase.
Register Check
Don't use this with your friends at a bar. It will sound like you're reading from a textbook. Stick to 's'en foutre' (slang) or 'ne pas s'intéresser à' (neutral).
The Power of 'Grand'
Adding 'grand' before 'cas' is the most common way to use this phrase positively. It's a standard colocation.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'faire cas de'.
Le jury n'a ____ aucun ____ ses explications confuses.
The past participle of 'faire' is 'fait', and the preposition is always 'de'.
Which sentence is the most formal?
How would you say 'He values my advice' in a formal report?
'Faire grand cas de' is the most formal and sophisticated option.
Match the phrase to the situation.
A scientist ignoring a flawed study.
To ignore or disregard something is 'ne pas faire cas de'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Est-ce que le patron a lu mon rapport ? B: Oui, et il ____ grand cas.
The pronoun 'en' replaces 'de + noun' (de ton rapport).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesLe jury n'a ____ aucun ____ ses explications confuses.
The past participle of 'faire' is 'fait', and the preposition is always 'de'.
How would you say 'He values my advice' in a formal report?
'Faire grand cas de' is the most formal and sophisticated option.
A scientist ignoring a flawed study.
To ignore or disregard something is 'ne pas faire cas de'.
A: Est-ce que le patron a lu mon rapport ? B: Oui, et il ____ grand cas.
The pronoun 'en' replaces 'de + noun' (de ton rapport).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, it means you value their merit or importance. 'On fait grand cas de ce nouveau chercheur.'
Almost, but 'faire cas de' adds a layer of 'esteem' or 'value' that 'tenir compte de' (which is more about logistics/facts) lacks.
In French, final consonants are often silent. 'Cas' follows this rule, sounding like 'kah'.
No, the standard expression for low value is 'faire peu de cas de'.
Yes, but mostly in writing, news, and formal speeches. It's not 'dead', just 'elegant'.
Related Phrases
tenir compte de
similarTo take into account
faire état de
similarTo mention or report
faire fi de
contrastTo disdain or thumb one's nose at
priser
synonymTo prize or value highly
