No need and prohibitions
To say there is no need, French often uses : , . This is simple and common.
To tell someone there is no obligation, use if the learner is male, and if the learner is female. Because this describes the person addressed, learner gender matters.
For prohibitions, French often uses on notices: This is short and natural on signs and house rules.
You can also use the negative imperative for a direct prohibition: , . Full is standard and clear.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| no need for | ||
| no need for | ||
| I do not need | ||
| I do not need | ||
| you do not have to come | ||
| you do not have to come | ||
| you do not have to come | ||
| you do not have to come | ||
| no ... | ||
| no ... | ||
| do not ... | ||
| do not ... | ||
Je n’ai pas besoin de parapluie aujourd’hui.I do not need an umbrella today.
Demain, vous n’êtes pas obligé de venir.Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Demain, vous n’êtes pas obligée de venir.Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Sur la porte : Pas de trompette après 22 h.On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
Il pleut, mais je n’ai pas besoin d’aide.It is raining, but I do not need help.
Ici : Ne touchez pas la trompette.Here: do not touch the trumpet.
Vous n’êtes pas obligé de chanter.You are not obliged to sing.
Vous n’êtes pas obligée de chanter.You are not obliged to sing.
Je n’ai pas besoin de ce manteau aujourd’hui.I do not need this coat today.
Mme Martin dit : Ne sortez pas sans imperméable.Mrs Martin says: Do not go out without a raincoat.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I do not need an umbrella today.
, .
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
, .
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
: .
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
, .
It is raining, but I do not need help.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Je n’ai parapluie aujourd’hui.
I do not need an umbrella today.
Demain, vous venir.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Demain, vous venir.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Sur la porte : trompette après 22 h.
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
Il pleut, mais je n’ai aide.
It is raining, but I do not need help.
Ici : la trompette.
Here: do not touch the trumpet.
Vous n’êtes de chanter.
You are not obliged to sing.
Vous n’êtes de chanter.
You are not obliged to sing.
Je n’ai ce manteau aujourd’hui.
I do not need this coat today.
Mme Martin dit : sans imperméable.
Mrs Martin says: Do not go out without a raincoat.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Je n’ai parapluie aujourd’hui.
I do not need an umbrella today.
Demain, vous venir.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Demain, vous venir.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Sur la porte : trompette après 22 h.
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
Il pleut, mais je n’ai aide.
It is raining, but I do not need help.
Ici : la trompette.
Here: do not touch the trumpet.
Vous n’êtes de chanter.
You are not obliged to sing.
Vous n’êtes de chanter.
You are not obliged to sing.
Je n’ai ce manteau aujourd’hui.
I do not need this coat today.
Mme Martin dit : sans imperméable.
Mrs Martin says: Do not go out without a raincoat.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I do not need an umbrella today.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
It is raining, but I do not need help.
Here: do not touch the trumpet.
You are not obliged to sing.
You are not obliged to sing.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I do not need an umbrella today.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
I do not need an umbrella today.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
Tomorrow, you do not have to come.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
On the door: No trumpet after 22:00.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
It is raining, but I do not need help.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
It is raining, but I do not need help.
You say:
Use the meaning and the French form explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect sentences and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
