French Writing Blog
Grammar guides, writing tips and exam preparation for French learners — from complete beginners to advanced candidates preparing for TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF.
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Exam PreparationTCF Canada Writing Tasks: Exact Word Counts for Tasks 1, 2, and 3
The TCF Canada Expression Écrite requires you to complete three tasks in 60 minutes, each with a strict minimum word count. Learn the exact minimums for Tasks 1, 2, and 3 and how to hit them every time.
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VocabularyIs It Le or La? 25 French Nouns That Always Catch Learners Out
25 French nouns whose gender contradicts the suffix rules or looks completely unexpected — grouped by the type of confusion they cause, with the correct article for each.
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Writing TipsHow to Look Up French Verb Conjugations Online: A Practical Guide
Looking up a French verb conjugation should take seconds. Here is how to get the most out of every lookup — which tenses to prioritise, what to notice, and how to turn each search into lasting memory.
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Writing TipsHow to Count Words in French: What Counts as a Word (And What Doesn't)
In French exams, the word-count minimum is strict. Learn exactly what examiners count — contractions, hyphens, formulas — and how to estimate your total accurately in real time.
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Writing TipsHow to Practise French Writing Online Without a Teacher or Subscription
You do not need a teacher or subscription to improve your French writing. A consistent daily method, the right reference tools, and accurate word-count feedback are all you need.
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Writing TipsFrench Accent Marks: Complete Guide to É, È, Ê, À, Ç, Œ, and Ù
French has four accent marks and one ligature, each with a specific job. Some change pronunciation, some change meaning, and some are historical. Here is what each one does.
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French GrammarPassé Composé vs Imparfait: How to Choose Every Time
Passé composé and imparfait are both French past tenses, but they do completely different jobs. Once you understand that single distinction, 90% of the choices become automatic.
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Writing TipsHow to Structure a French Argumentative Essay (TCF, DELF, DALF Format)
A French argumentative essay follows a three-part structure that applies at every exam level — TCF, DELF B1, DELF B2, and DALF C1. Memorise the plan once and it scales with length.
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VocabularyFrench Noun Gender Rules: 15 Suffixes That Tell You Le or La Every Time
Most French noun genders follow predictable suffix patterns. Learn these 15 endings and correctly identify the gender of thousands of nouns without memorising each one individually.