Days and daily habits
French often uses to mean “on Mondays, on Tuesdays” or “every Monday, every Tuesday”. This is different from one specific day: can mean this Monday, while means Mondays in general.
For habits, French also uses words like , , and . Example:
With , use full negation: . Example:
A list of habits can sound very natural in French: This is short but common in speech and writing on schedules.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| on Mondays / every Monday | ||
| on Mondays / every Monday | ||
| always | ||
| always | ||
| never | ||
| never | ||
| sometimes | ||
| sometimes | ||
Le lundi, Thomas mange de la soupe.On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
Le déjeuner est toujours à douze heures et demie.Lunch is always at half past twelve.
Il ne boit jamais de thé au travail.He never drinks tea at work.
Je vais courir parfois.I go running sometimes.
Le jeudi, il y a une réunion avec le chef.On Thursdays, there is a meeting with the boss.
Félix n'est jamais en retard.Félix is never late.
D'habitude, je suis au bureau à neuf heures.Usually, I am at the office at nine o'clock.
Je ne suis jamais en retard.I am never late.
Adverb: A word modifying an action or situation, such as or .
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
, .
On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
.
Lunch is always at half past twelve.
.
He never drinks tea at work.
.
I go running sometimes.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
, Thomas mange de la soupe.
On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
Le déjeuner est à douze heures et demie.
Lunch is always at half past twelve.
Il ne boit de thé au travail.
He never drinks tea at work.
Je vais courir .
I go running sometimes.
, il y a une réunion avec le chef.
On Thursdays, there is a meeting with the boss.
Félix n'est en retard.
Félix is never late.
D'habitude, je suis à neuf heures.
Usually, I am at the office at nine o'clock.
Je ne suis en retard.
I am never late.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Il ne boit de thé au travail.
He never drinks tea at work.
Je vais courir .
I go running sometimes.
, il y a une réunion avec le chef.
On Thursdays, there is a meeting with the boss.
Félix n'est en retard.
Félix is never late.
D'habitude, je suis à neuf heures.
Usually, I am at the office at nine o'clock.
Je ne suis en retard.
I am never late.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
Lunch is always at half past twelve.
He never drinks tea at work.
I go running sometimes.
On Thursdays, there is a meeting with the boss.
Félix is never late.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
On Mondays, Thomas eats soup.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Lunch is always at half past twelve.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Lunch is always at half past twelve.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
He never drinks tea at work.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
He never drinks tea at work.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I go running sometimes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I go running sometimes.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
