FYW 217: How to convert a verb into a noun or adjective in French?

I have to thank Abdulelah from Saudi Arabia for inspiring me to make this episode because what follows is just what I l LOVE to explain: you’re both going to work on your grammar AND increase your vocabulary in a blink of the eye (or so I hope!)

In English, you may convert a verb into a noun by adding _ing to it (sail à sailing, read/reading, etc)

The -ING added to a verb being generally translated by the present participle in French, Abdulelah wanted to know whether in French we can apply the same rule and therefore convert a verb into a noun by using its present participle.

Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode

Dîner / le dîner

le goûter

le déjeuner

le coucher

le lever

le paraitre = appearances

le savoir

le parler = the way of speaking, the manner of speaking

Finir à fini (pp) à un travail fini (pp used as adj)

Blanchir à blanchi à des dents blanchies

AIMER ➔ nous aimons (present indicative) ➔ AIM_ (stem) ➔ AIMANT (present participle)

BOIRE ➔ nous buvons (present indicative) ➔ BUV_ (stem) ➔ BUVANT (present participle)

Blanchir à nous blanchissons à blanchissant

Fatiguer à elle est fatiguée parce que sa journee a été fatigante

Motiver à Il est motivé parce que son coach est motivant

Blanchir à il a les dents blanchies grâce à ce dentifrice blanchissant

Intéresser à Vous êtes intéressés parce que je suis intéressante !

Mourir à La voiture est morte. Ce patient est mourant.

LINKS and RESOURCES

Upcoming French Grammar Clinic workshops: frenchyourway.com.au/events

How to choose the right mood and tense in French - French verbs made easy (eBook + Workbook) : https://gumroad.com/l/fyw_tenses

“How to Conjugate French Verbs in –IR Without Losing Your Mind” (French Your Way Podcast, episode 58): frenchyourway.com.au/podcast58

“How to Conjugate French Verbs in –IR Without Losing Your Mind” (my article): http://frenchyourway.com.au/how-to-conjugate-french-verbs-in-ir-without-losing-your-mind

Episode 164: French verbs: past participles (compound tenses, part 1): frenchyourway.com.au/podcast164