Easy French Step-by-Step

Preface xi
I. First Elements of French

1. Nouns, Articles, and Descriptive Adjectives
Gender and Number of Nouns and Articles
The Definite Article
Masculine Nouns
Feminine Nouns
Masculine and Feminine Articles Before a Vowel Sound or Mute h
Singular Nouns and the Definite Article
Learning the Gender of Nouns
The Indefinite Article
Masculine Nouns
Feminine Nouns
Plural Nouns
Pronouncing the Plural
Descriptive Adjectives
Agreement of Adjectives in Gender and Number
Adjectives of Color
Adjectives That Precede the Noun
Key Vocabulary
Les adjectifs descriptifs (Descriptive Adjectives)
Les cou/eurs (Colors)
Key Vocabulary
Les nationalities (Nationanlities)

2. The Verbs etre and avoir, Subject Pronouns, and Negation
The Verbs
The Verbs etre (to be) and avoir (to have)
Être and Subject Pronouns
Subject Pronouns
Uses of Être
Expressions with Être
Key Vocabulary

Conjonctions. quafificatifs. et adverbes
(Conjunctions, Qualifiers, and Adverbs)
Negation with ne ... pas
The Verb avoir (to have)
Ne ..• pas de ... with avoir
If y a ... (There is ... , There are ... )
Expressions with avoir
Key Vocabulary
La maison (The House)
Reading Comprehension: La maison de Jean-Pierre

3.Days and Months, Regular -er Vel"bs in the Pl"eSent Tense, and Interrogatives
Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons

Les jours de la semaine
(Days of the Week)

Les mois de I'annee
(Months of the Year
)
Les saisons
(Seasons)

Les parties du jour
(Parts of the Day)
Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
Conjugating Regular -er Verbs
Uses of the Present Tense
Interrogatives and Interrogative Words
Yes/No Questions
Information Questions
Key Vocabulary

Noms mascu/ins
(Masculine Nouns)
Noms feminins
(Feminine Noun~)
Adjectifs
(Adjectives)
Conjonctions
(Conjunctions) Reading Comprehension:
Une petite ville en province

4 Numbers, Dates, and Time and Regular -ir Verbs in the Present Tense
Cardinal Numbers
Numbers from 0 to 99
Numbers from 100
Ordinal Numbers
The Date and the Year
Telling Time
Regular -if Verbs in the Present Tense
Key Vocabulary

Les magas;ns et les commerces
(Stores and Businesses)
Key Vocabulary

Les repas et Jes provisions
(Meals and Groceries)
Reading Comprehension:
Au restaurant

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From the very beginning, you are introduced to the most essential structures--allowing you to communicate in French almost immediately. Gradually, through a series of interconnected "steps," you logically progress to more common concepts that govern how French is spoken and written. And along the way you are introduced to hundreds of carefully selected verbs and vocabulary words presented on the basis of how often they are used in everyday French.

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• Down-to-earth explanations of important rules and concepts
• Hundreds of frequently used verbs and key terms a beginner should know
• Exercises to test what you've learned and measure progress
• Engaging readings that help you hone your skills in everyday contexts