Reflexive verbs in French
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The pronominal verbs (French: les verbes pronominaux) are verbs that conjugate with a reflected pronoun of the same person as the subject.
These verbs can be recognized by the fact that they form the infinitive with "themselves" (in French "se"):
- se tromper (to be fooled)
- se dépêcher (to hurry)
- se blesser (to get hurt)
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.The different types of pronominal verbs
- 1.1.Examples
- 2.Conjugation of reflexive verbs in French
- 2.1.Example of a reflexive verb without a vowel
- 2.2.Example of a reflexive verb with a vowel
- 3.Verbs with reflexive and non-reflexive forms
- 4.Verbs with only a reflexive form
- 5.Reflexive verbs with parts of the body
- 6.Exercises
- 6.1.Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs in French
- 6.2.Reflexive vs Non-reflexive verbs exercise in French
- 6.3.Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs with parts of the body in French
- 6.4.Drag and drop exercise about the reflexive verbs in French
The different types of pronominal verbs
- Passive pronominal verbs: the subject undergoes the action but does not accomplish it.
- Reflexive pronominal verbs: the subject undergoes the action he performs.
- Reciprocal pronominal verbs: the subjects undergo interaction.
- Subjective or non-reflexive pronominal verbs: the subject does not undergo the action it performs. They are often followed by a preposition.
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Examples
| Use | Examples | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| passive pronominal verbs | Cette leçon se comprend bien | The lesson is comprehensible |
| reflexive pronominal verbs | Je ne me sens pas bien | I am not feeling good |
| reciprocal pronominal verbs | Ils se disputent chaque fois | They always fight |
| subjective or non-reflexive | Julien se moque de son frère | Julian is laughing at his brother |
Conjugation of reflexive verbs in French
Reflexive verbs must always be used with the corresponding object pronoun, which always refers to the subject and is therefore also called a reflexive pronoun.The reflexive pronouns are me, te, se, nous and vous and when the verb begins with a vowel me, te and se become me, t' and s'. In addition, the reflexive pronoun must always stand between pronoun and verb:
- Nous nous dépêchons. (we hurry up.)
- Mireille s'est mariée avec Pierre. (she got married to Pierre.)
Example of a reflexive verb without a vowel
- se laver (to wash)
| Pronom personnel | Présent | Passé composé | Imparfait | Plus-que-parfait | Futur simple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | me lave | me suis lavé | me lavais | m'étais lavé | me laverai |
| tu | te laves | t'es lavé | te lavais | t'étais lavé | te laveras |
| il/elle/on | se lave | s'est lavé | se lavait | s'était lavé | se lavera |
| nous | nous lavons | nous sommes lavés | nous lavions | nous étions lavé | nous laverons |
| vous | vous lavez | vous êtes lavés | vous laviez | vous étiez lavé | vous laverez |
| ils/elles | se lavent | se sont lavés | se lavaient | s'étaient lavé | se laveront |
Example of a reflexive verb with a vowel
- s'exclamer (to exclaim)
| Pronom Personnel | Présent | Passé composé | Imparfait | plus-que-parfait | futur simple |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | m'exclame | me suis exclamé(e) | m'exclamais | m'étais exclamé(e) | m'exclamerai |
| tu | t'exclames | t'es exclamé(e) | t'exclamais | t'étais exclamé(e) | t'exclameras |
| il/elle/on | s'exclame | s'est exclamé(e) | s'exclamait | s'était exclamé(e) | s'exclamera |
| nous | nous exclamerons | nous sommes exclamé(e) | nous exclamions | nous étions exclamé(e)s | nous exclamerons |
| vous | vous exclamez | vous êtes exclamé(e) | vous exclamiez | vous étiez exclamé(e)s | vous exclamerez |
| ils/elles | s'exclament | se sont exclamé(e)s | s'exclamaient | s'étaient exclamé(e)s | s'exclameront |
In a negative sentence, one element of negation "ne" is placed before the pronoun and the other element of negation "pas" after the verb.
- Je ne me lève pas tôt. (I am not waking up early.)
Verbs with reflexive and non-reflexive forms
Some verbs have both a reflexive and non-reflexive forms as listed below:
| Non-reflexive | Reflexive |
|---|---|
| appeler (to call someone) | s'appeler (to be called) |
| baigner (to bathe someone) | se baigner (to bath oneself) |
| lever (to raise) | se lever (to rise) |
| arrêter (to arrest) | s'arrêter (to stop) |
| attendre (to wait for) | s'attendre (to expect sth) |
| coucher (to lay) | se coucher (to go to bed) |
| éteindre (to turn off) | s'éteindre (to go out, to die) |
| marier (to marry) | se marier (to get married) |
| promener (to walk) | se promener (to go for a walk) |
| rappeler (to call back) | se rappeler (to remember) |
| réveiller (to wake someone up) | se réveiller (to wake up) |
| tromper (to deceive) | se tromper (to be mistaken) |
| tuer (to murder) | se tuer (to kill oneself) |
Verbs with only a reflexive form
The following verbs occur only in the reflexive form:
- s'en aller (to go away)
- s'enfuir (to run away)
- s'envoler (to fly away/off)
- s'évanouir (to faint)
- se méfier (to beware)
- se moquer (to laugh at sb)
- se soucier (to worry about sb)
- se souvenir (to remember)
- se taire (to remain silent)
Reflexive verbs with parts of the body
To refer doing something to parts of the body, French uses a reflexive verb with the definite article, whereas English uses a possessive.
| Examples | Translations |
|---|---|
| Olivier se lave les mains | Olivier washes his hands |
| Nous nous lavons le visage | We wash our face |
| Elle se brosse les cheveux | She brushes her hair |
Some verbs represent an idiomatic use of the reflexive pronoun, they do not reflect reflexive or reciprocal actions.
- s'amuser, se dépêcher, s'endormir, s'ennuyer, se fâcher, se passer, se reposer, se sentir, se trouver.
Exercises
- Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs in French
- Reflexive vs Non-reflexive verbs exercise in French
- Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs with parts of the body in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the reflexive verbs in French
Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs in French
Reflexive vs Non-reflexive verbs exercise in French
Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs with parts of the body in French
Drag and drop exercise about the reflexive verbs in French
Exercises
- Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs in French
- Reflexive vs Non-reflexive verbs exercise in French
- Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs with parts of the body in French
- Drag and drop exercise about the reflexive verbs in French
Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs in French
Reflexive vs Non-reflexive verbs exercise in French
Fill in the blank exercise for reflexive verbs with parts of the body in French
Drag and drop exercise about the reflexive verbs in French
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I have a postgraduate degree (France) in Languages, Literature and Cultural Studies and I’m currently a freelance translator. I’ve previously worked at universities in France and abroad (South Africa/Australia) and have a solid experience in teaching (French Language, Literature, Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Creative Writing, etc.), designing courses, evaluating and guiding students, preparing students for exams/job interviews/professional presentations, managing a Language and Literature department at the university, presenting papers at academic conferences worldwide, publishing, translating and journalism. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to teach people with different profiles and from various backgrounds: international professionals, university students, beginner translators and teachers, high school students, retirees, travellers, francophiles, children (help with homework), etc.
Being an open-minded, flexible and patient teacher, I enjoy helping others to discover their potential and to explore it. Adapting myself to my students' needs, pace and objectives is essential for me, and designing the best way to work with each student is very stimulating and rewarding.
After the initial introductory lesson, I will design customised lesson plans that will evolve as you progress. We can also, at any time during the programme, change our working method if you wish to do so. I remain very flexible in that regard.
The learning materials will be varied, and we will choose together the themes and aspects of French language to be covered, in line with your objectives. In any case, I am very attentive in general, so please don't hesitate to make any suggestions.
Regardless of your level and objectives, I'm sure that we can find the best way possible to share and enjoy this French language adventure together.
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1 - If you are looking for a well-structured French program to take you from a beginner level to advanced level to be able to travel to France, i have developed with success my own program which includes 70 worksheets from basic to advance level.
2 - If you are thinking taking any DELF exam, I can help you as I have experience in this field (3 years with Ensemble en Francais - online school).
3 - If you are a VCE French student, I definitively will be able to boost your skills to do well at the exam due to my experience as VCE French teacher and also as a VCE assessor.
4 - Finally I have also an extensive experience in teaching French at the primary and middle school level
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