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1 Usage note : for

When for is used as a preposition, followed by a noun or pronoun, it is translated by pour:

for my sister

= pour ma sœur

for the garden

= pour le jardin

for me

= pour moi

For particular usages see the entry for.

When for is used as a preposition indicating purpose followed by a verb it is translated by pour + infinitive:

for cleaning windows

= pour nettoyer les vitres

When for is used in the construction to be + adjective + for + pronoun + infinitive the translation in French is être + indirect pronoun + adjective + de + infinitive:

it’s impossible for me to stay

= il m’est impossible de rester

it was hard for him to understand that…

= il lui était difficile de comprendre que…

it will be difficult for her to accept the changes

= il lui sera difficile d’accepter les changements

For the construction to be waiting for sb to do see the entry wait.

For particular usages see the entry for.

In time expressions

for is used in English after a verb in the progressive present perfect tense to express the time period of something that started in the past and is still going on. To express this French uses a verb in the present tense + depuis:

I have been waiting for three hours (and I am still waiting)

= j’attends depuis trois heures

we’ve been together for two years (and we’re still together)

= nous sommes ensemble depuis deux ans

When for is used in English after a verb in the past perfect tense, French uses the imperfect + depuis:

I had been waiting for two hours (and was still waiting)

= j’attendais depuis deux heures

for is used in English negative sentences with the present perfect tense to express the time that has elapsed since something has happened. To express this, French uses the same tense as English (the perfect) + depuis:

I haven’t seen him for ten years (and I still haven’t seen him)

= je ne l’ai pas vu depuis dix ans

In spoken French, there is another way of expressing this: ça fait or il y a dix ans que je ne l’ai pas vu.

When for is used in English in negative sentences after a verb in the past perfect tense, French uses the past perfect + depuis:

I hadn’t seen him for ten years

= je ne l’avais pas vu depuis dix ans, or (in spoken French) ça faisait or il y avait dix ans que je ne l’avais pas vu

for is used in English after the preterite to express the time period of something that happened in the past and is no longer going on. Here French uses the present perfect + pendant:

last Sunday I gardened for two hours

= dimanche dernier, j’ai jardiné pendant deux heures

for is used in English after the present progressive tense or the future tense to express an anticipated time period in the future. Here French uses the present or the future tense + pour:

I’m going to Rome for six weeks

= je vais à Rome pour six semaines

I will go to Rome for six weeks

= j’irai à Rome pour six semaines

Note, however, that when the verb to be is used in the future with for to emphasize the period of time, French uses the future + pendant:

I will be in Rome for six weeks

= je serai à Rome pendant six semaines

he will be away for three days

= il sera absent pendant trois jours

For particular usages see A13, 14, 15 and 16 in the entry for.

for is often used in English to form a structure with nouns, adjectives and verbs (weakness for, eager for, apply for, fend for etc.). For translations, consult the appropriate noun, adjective or verb entry (weakness, eager, apply, fend etc.).

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : for
2 Usage note : before

When before is used as a preposition in expressions of time or order of sequence or importance, it is translated by avant:

before the meeting

= avant la réunion

she left before me

= elle est partie avant moi

For more examples and particular usages, see A1, 2, 3 in the entry before.

When before is used as a preposition meaning in front of (when you are talking about physical space) or in the presence of, it is translated by devant:

before our eyes

= devant nos yeux

he declared before his mother that …

= il a déclaré devant sa mère que …

When before is used as an adjective after a noun, it is translated by précédent/-e:

the time before

= la fois précédente

the one before is translated by le précédent or la précédente:

no, I’m not talking about that meeting but the one before

= non, je ne parle pas de cette réunion-là mais de la précédente

For particular usages see B in the entry before.

When before is used as an adverb meaning beforehand, it is translated by avant in statements about the present or future:

I’ll try to talk to her before

= j’essaierai de lui en parler avant

you could have told me before

= tu aurais pu me le dire avant

When before means previously in statements about the past, it is translated by auparavant:

I had met her two or three times before

= je l’avais rencontrée deux ou trois fois auparavant

When before means already it is translated by déjà:

I’ve met her before

= je l’ai déjà rencontrée

you’ve asked me that question before

= tu m’as déjà posé cette question

In negative sentences before is often used in English simply to reinforce the negative. In such cases it is not translated at all:

I’d never eaten snails before

= je n’avais jamais mangé d’escargots

you’ve never told me that before

= tu ne m’as jamais dit ça

For particular usages see C in the entry before.

When before is used as a conjunction, it is translated by avant de + infinitive where the two verbs have the same subject:

before he saw her he recognized her voice

= il a reconnu sa voix avant de la voir

before I cook dinner I’m going to phone my mother

= avant de préparer le dîner je vais appeler ma mère

Where the two verbs have different subjects, the translation is avant que + subjunctive:

Tom wants to see her before she leaves

= Tom veut la voir avant qu’elle parte

Some speakers and writers add ne before the verb: Tom veut la voir avant qu’elle ne parte, but this is simply a slightly precious effect of style and is never obligatory. For particular usages see D in the entry before.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : before
3 and

and [ænd, ənd, nd, ən]

conjunction

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

► For set expressions containing the word and, eg now and then, wait and see, look under the other words.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

   a. et

• a man and a woman un homme et une femme

• and how! (inf) et comment ! (inf)

• and? et alors ?

   b. (in numbers) three hundred and ten trois cent dix

• two thousand and eight deux mille huit

• two pounds and six pence deux livres (et) six pence

• an hour and twenty minutes une heure vingt (minutes)

• five and three quarters cinq trois quarts

   c. (+ infinitive verb) try and come tâchez de venir

   d. (repetition, continuation) better and better de mieux en mieux

• for hours and hours pendant des heures et des heures

• he talked and talked il a parlé pendant des heures

   e. (with compar adj) uglier and uglier de plus en plus laid

• more and more difficult de plus en plus difficile

   f. (with negative or implied negative) ni

• to go out without a hat and coat sortir sans chapeau ni manteau

   g. (phrases) eggs and bacon œufs mpl au bacon

• summer and winter été comme hiver

   h. (implying conditional) do that and I won't come fais ça et je ne viens pas

* * *
[ænd], unstressed [ənd]
Note: When used as a straightforward conjunction, and is translated by et: to shout and sing = crier et chanter; Tom and Linda = Tom et Linda; my friend and colleague = mon ami et collègue

and is sometimes used between two verbs in English to mean ‘in order to’ ( wait and see, try and relax etc). To translate these expressions, look under the appropriate verb entry (wait, try etc)

For examples and other uses, see the entry below

conjunction

1) ( joining words or clauses) et

cups and plates — des tasses et des assiettes

he picked up his papers and went out — il a ramassé ses papiers et il est sorti

2) ( in numbers)

two hundred and sixty-two — deux cent soixante-deux

3) ( with repetition)

faster and faster — de plus en plus vite

it got worse and worse — c'est devenu de pire en pire

I waited and waited — j'ai attendu pendant des heures

to talk on and on — parler pendant des heures

we laughed and laughed! — qu'est-ce qu'on a ri!

4) ( for emphasis)

it's lovely and warm — il fait bon

come nice and early — viens tôt

and he didn't even say thank you — et en plus il n'a même pas dit merci

5) ( in phrases)

and all that — et tout le reste

and that — (colloq) GB et tout ça

and so on — et ainsi de suite

and how! — (colloq) et comment!

and? — et alors?

6) ( alike)

summer and winter — été comme hiver

day and night — jour et nuit

7) ( with negative)

he doesn't like singing and dancing — il n'aime ni chanter ni danser

English-French dictionary > and
4 neither

neither [ˈnaɪðə^r, ˈni:ðə^r]

1. adverb

► neither... nor ni... ni

• neither good nor bad ni bon ni mauvais

• I've seen neither him nor her je ne les ai vus ni l'un ni l'autre

• he can neither read nor write il ne sait ni lire ni écrire

• the house has neither water nor electricity la maison n'a ni eau ni électricité

• neither you nor I know ni vous ni moi ne le savons

• he neither knows nor cares il n'en sait rien et ça lui est égal► neither here nor there

• that's neither here nor there ce n'est pas la question

• an extra couple of miles is neither here nor there on n'est pas à deux ou trois kilomètres près

2. conjunction

• if you don't go, neither shall I si tu n'y vas pas je n'irai pas non plus

• I'm not going -- neither am I je n'y vais pas -- moi non plus

• he didn't do it -- neither did his brother il ne l'a pas fait -- son frère non plus

3. adjective

• neither story is true aucune des deux histoires n'est vraie

• in neither case ni dans un cas ni dans l'autre

4. pronoun

ni l'un (e) ni l'autre

• neither of them knows ils ne le savent ni l'un ni l'autre

• which do you prefer? -- neither lequel préférez-vous ? -- ni l'un ni l'autre

* * *

Note: When used as co-ordinating conjunctions neither...nor are translated by ni...ni: she speaks neither English nor French = elle ne parle ni anglais ni français; he is neither intelligent nor kind = il n'est ni intelligent ni gentil; neither tea, nor milk = ni (le) thé, ni (le) lait. Note that the preceding verb is negated by ne

For examples and particular usages see the entry neither I 1

When used as a conjunction to show agreement or similarity with a negative statement, neither is translated by non plus: ‘I don't like him’ - ‘neither do I’ = ‘je ne l'aime pas’ - ‘moi non plus’; ‘he's not Spanish’ - ‘neither is John’ = ‘il n'est pas espagnol’ - ‘John non plus’; ‘I can't sleep’ - ‘neither can I’ = ‘je n'arrive pas à dormir’ - ‘moi non plus’

When used to give additional information to a negative statement neither can often be translated by non plus preceded by a negative verb: she hasn't written, neither has she telephoned = elle n'a pas écrit, et elle n'a pas téléphoné non plus; I don't wish to insult you, but neither do I wish to lose money = je ne veux pas vous offenser, mais je ne souhaite pas non plus perdre de l'argent

For examples and particular usages see the entry neither I 2
['naɪðə(r), 'niːð-] 1.
conjunction

1) ( not either) ni...ni

I have neither the time nor the money — je n'ai ni le temps ni l'argent

I've seen neither him nor her — je ne les ai vus ni l'un ni l'autre

2) ( nor)

he doesn't have the time, neither does he have the money — il n'a pas le temps, et il n'a pas l'argent non plus

you don't have to tell him, neither should you — tu n'es pas obligé de le lui dire, tu ferais même mieux d'éviter
2.
determiner aucun des deux

neither book is suitable — aucun des deux livres ne convient

neither girl replied — aucune des deux filles n'a répondu
3.
pronoun ni l'un/-e, ni l'autre m/f

neither of them came — ni l'un ni l'autre n'est venu

‘which one is responsible?’ - ‘neither’ — ‘lequel des deux est responsable?’ - ‘ni l'un ni l'autre’

English-French dictionary > neither
5 nor

nor [nɔ:^r]

conjunction

a. (following "neither") ni

• neither you nor I can do it ni vous ni moi (nous) ne pouvons le faire

• she neither eats nor drinks elle ne mange ni ne boit

b. ( = neither) I won't go and nor will you je n'irai pas et toi non plus

• I don't like him -- nor do I je ne l'aime pas -- moi non plus

* * *
[nɔː(r), nə(r)]
Note: If you want to know how to translate nor when used in combination with neither look at the entry neither

When used as a conjunction to show agreement or similarity with a negative statement, nor is very often translated by non plus: ‘I don't like him’ - ‘nor do I’ = ‘je ne l'aime pas’ - ‘moi non plus’; ‘he's not Spanish’ - ‘nor is John’ = ‘il n'est pas espagnol’ - ‘John non plus’; ‘I can't sleep’ - ‘nor can I’ = ‘je n'arrive pas à dormir’ - ‘moi non plus’

When used to give additional information to a negative statement nor can very often be translated by non plus preceded by a negative verb: she hasn't written, nor has she telephoned = elle n'a pas écrit, et elle n'a pas téléphoné non plus; I do not wish to insult you, (but) nor do I wish to lose money = je ne veux pas vous offenser, mais je ne souhaite pas non plus perdre de l'argent

For examples and further uses of nor see the entry below

conjunction

you don't have to tell him, nor should you — tu n'es pas obligé de le lui dire, et même tu ne devrais pas

he was not a cruel man, nor a mean one — il n'était ni cruel, ni méchant

English-French dictionary > nor
6 neither

neither

❢ When used as co-ordinating conjunctions neither…nor are translated by ni…ni: she speaks neither English nor French = elle ne parle ni anglais ni français ; he is neither intelligent nor kind = il n'est ni intelligent ni gentil ; neither tea, nor milk = ni (le) thé, ni (le) lait. Note that the preceding verb is negated by ne.

For examples and further uses see the entry neither A 1.

When used as a conjunction to show agreement or similarity with a negative statement, neither is translated by non plus: ‘I don't like him’-‘neither do I’ = ‘je ne l'aime pas’-‘moi non plus’ ; ‘he's not Spanish’-‘neither is John’ = ‘il n'est pas espagnol’-‘John non plus’ ; ‘I can't sleep’-‘neither can I ’ = ‘je n'arrive pas à dormir’-‘moi non plus’. When used to give additional information to a negative statement neither can often be translated by non plus preceded by a negative verb: she hasn't written, neither has she telephoned = elle n'a pas écrit, et elle n'a pas téléphoné non plus ; I don't wish to insult you, but neither do I wish to lose money = je ne veux pas vous offenser, mais je ne souhaite pas non plus perdre de l'argent.

For examples and further uses see the entry neither A 2.

A conj

1 ( not either) ni…ni ; I have neither the time nor the money je n'ai ni le temps ni l'argent ; I've seen neither him nor her je ne les ai vus ni l'un ni l'autre ;

2 ( nor) he doesn't have the time, neither does he have the money il n'a pas le temps, et il n'a pas l'argent non plus ; you don't have to tell him, neither should you tu n'es pas obligé de le lui dire, tu ferais même mieux d'éviter.

B det aucun des deux ; neither book is suitable aucun des deux livres ne convient ; neither girl replied aucune des deux filles n'a répondu.

C pron ni l'un/-e, ni l'autre m/f ; neither of them came ni l'un ni l'autre n'est venu, ils ne sont venus ni l'un ni l'autre ; ‘which one is responsible?’-‘neither’ ‘lequel des deux est responsable?’-‘ni l'un ni l'autre’.

Big English-French dictionary > neither
7 Usage note : not

When not is used without a verb before an adjective, an adverb, a verb or a noun, it is translated by pas:

it’s a cat not a dog

= c’est un chat pas un chien

not at all

= pas du tout

not bad

= pas mal

For examples and particular usages see the entry not.

When not is used to make the verb be negative (it’s not a cat) it is translated by ne…pas in French ; ne comes before the verb or the auxiliary in compound tenses and pas comes after the verb or auxiliary: ce n’est pas un chat ;

she hasn’t been ill

= elle n’a pas été malade.

When not is used with the auxiliary do to make a verb negative (he doesn’t like oranges) do + not is translated by ne…pas in French: il n’aime pas les oranges.

When not is used in the present perfect tense (I haven’ t seen him, she hasn’t arrived yet), ne…pas is again used in French on either side of the appropriate auxiliary ( avoir or être): je ne l’ai pas vu, elle n’est pas encore arrivée.

When not is used with will to make a verb negative (will not, won’t), ne…pas is used with the future tense in French:

she won’t come by car

= elle ne viendra pas en voiture

When used with a verb in the infinitive, ne…pas are placed together before the verb:

he decided not to go

= il a décidé de ne pas y aller

you were wrong not to tell her

= tu as eu tort de ne pas le lui dire

When not is used in question tags, the whole tag can usually be translated by the French n’est-ce pas, e.g.

she bought it, didn’t she?

= elle l’a acheté, n’est-ce pas?

For usages not covered in this note see the entry not.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : not
8 any

any [ˈenɪ]

1. adjective

   a.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

► The construction not... any is generally translated in French by pas... de.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

• I haven't got any money je n'ai pas d'argent

► hardly any

• I have hardly any money left il ne me reste presque plus d'argent

• hardly any people came presque personne n'est venu

• there's hardly any danger il n'y a presque pas de danger► without any sans

• without any difficulty sans la moindre difficulté

   b. (in questions and "if" clauses) have you got any butter? avez-vous du beurre ?

• did they find any survivors? ont-ils trouvé des survivants ?

• are there any others? y en a-t-il d'autres ?

• is there any risk? y a-t-il un risque ?

• if you see any children si vous voyez des enfants

• if you have any money si vous avez de l'argent

• if there's any problem s'il y a un problème

   c. ( = no matter which) n'importe quel ; ( = each and every) tout

• take any card you like prenez n'importe quelle carte

• come at any time venez à n'importe quelle heure

• you can come at any hour of the day or night vous pouvez venir à toute heure du jour ou de la nuit

• any pupil who breaks the rules will be punished tout élève qui enfreindra le règlement sera puni

• they eat any old thing (inf) ils mangent n'importe quoi

► any number of des quantités de

• there are any number of ways to do it il y a des quantités de façons de le faire

2. pronoun

   a. (with negative) she has two brothers but I haven't got any elle a deux frères mais moi je n'en ai pas

► hardly any

• I have hardly any left il ne m'en reste presque plus

• a lot of people booked but hardly any came beaucoup de gens avaient réservé, mais presque personne n'est venu

   b. (in questions and "if" clauses) have you got any? en avez-vous ?

• if any of you can sing si l'un d'entre vous sait chanter

• if any of them come out s'il y en a parmi eux qui sortent

• few, if any, will come il viendra peu de gens, si tant est qu'il en vienne

   c. ( = no matter which one) any of those books will do n'importe lequel de ces livres fera l'affaire

3. adverb

   a. ► any + comparative

• are you feeling any better? vous sentez-vous un peu mieux ?

• if it had been any colder we'd have frozen to death si la température avait encore baissé, nous serions morts de froid

• do you want any more soup? voulez-vous encore de la soupe ?

• I couldn't do that any more than I could fly je ne serais pas plus capable de faire cela que de voler

   b. ► not any + comparative

• she is not any more intelligent than her sister elle n'est pas plus intelligente que sa sœur

• I can't hear him any more je ne l'entends plus

• we can't go any further nous ne pouvons pas aller plus loin

• I won't wait any longer je n'attendrai pas plus longtemps

• I can't imagine things getting any better je ne pense pas que la situation puisse s'améliorer

   c. ( = at all) the rope didn't help them any (inf) la corde ne leur a pas servi à grand-chose

* * *

Note: When any is used as a determiner in negative sentences it is not usually translated in French: we don't have any money = nous n'avons pas d'argent

When any is used as a determiner in questions it is translated by du, de l', de la or des according to the gender and number of the noun that follows: is there any soap? = y a-t-il du savon?; is there any flour? = y a-t-il de la farine?; are there any questions? = est-ce qu'il y a des questions?

For examples and other determiner uses see I in the entry below

When any is used as a pronoun in negative sentences and in questions it is translated by en: we don't have any = nous n'en avons pas; have you got any? = est-ce que vous en avez?

For more examples and other pronoun uses see II below

For adverbial uses such as any more, any longer, any better etc see III below
['enɪ] 1.
determiner

1) (with negative, implied negative)

he hasn't got any money — il n'a pas d'argent

they never receive any letters — ils ne reçoivent jamais de lettres

they hardly ate any cake — ils n'ont presque pas mangé de gâteau

I don't want any lunch — je ne veux pas de déjeuner

I don't need any advice — je n'ai pas besoin de conseils

they couldn't get any information — ils n'ont pas obtenu la moindre information

he hasn't got any common sense — il n'a aucun bon sens

2) (in questions, conditional sentences)

is there any tea? — est-ce qu'il y a du thé?

if you have any money — si vous avez de l'argent

3) ( no matter which) n'importe quel/quelle, tout

you can have any cup you like — vous pouvez prendre n'importe quelle tasse

any information would be very useful — tout renseignement serait très utile

any complaints should be addressed to Mr Cook — pour toute réclamation adressez-vous à M. Cook

I'm ready to help in any way I can — je suis prêt à faire tout ce que je peux pour aider

I do not wish to restrict your freedom in any way — je n'ai pas l'intention d'entraver votre liberté de quelque façon que ce soit

he might return at any time — il peut revenir d'un moment à l'autre

if you should want to discuss this at any time — si à un moment ou à un autre vous souhaitez discuter de cela

come round and see me any time — passe me voir quand tu veux

I don't buy any one brand in particular — je n'achète aucune marque en particulier
2.
pronoun

1) (with negative, implied negative)

he hasn't got any — il n'en a pas

there is hardly any left — il n'en reste presque pas

she doesn't like any of them — ( people) elle n'aime aucun d'entre eux/elles; ( things) elle n'en aime aucun/-e

2) (in questions, conditional sentences)

I'd like some tea, if you have any — je voudrais du thé, si vous en avez

have any of you got a car? — est-ce que l'un/-e d'entre vous a une voiture?

are any of them blue? — y en a-t-il des bleus?

3) ( no matter which) n'importe lequel/laquelle

‘which colour would you like?’ - ‘any’ — ‘quelle couleur veux-tu?’ - ‘n'importe laquelle’

any of those pens — n'importe lequel de ces stylos

any of them could do it — n'importe qui d'entre eux/elles pourrait le faire
3.
adverb

1) ( with comparatives)

is he feeling any better? — est-ce qu'il se sent mieux?

have you got any more of these? — est-ce que vous en avez d'autres?

do you want any more wine? — voulez-vous encore du vin?

I don't like him any more than you do — je ne l'aime guère plus que toi

I don't know any more than that — c'est tout ce que je sais

he doesn't live here any more ou longer — il n'habite plus ici

I won't put up with it any longer — ça ne peut pas continuer ainsi

if we stay here any longer — si nous restons plus longtemps

can't you walk any faster? — tu ne peux pas marcher plus vite?

I can't leave any later than 6 o'clock — il faut que je parte à 6 heures au plus tard

2) (colloq) ( at all) du tout

that doesn't help me any — ça ne m'aide pas du tout

English-French dictionary > any
9 any

any

❢ When any is used as a determiner in negative sentences it is not usually translated in French: we don't have any money = nous n'avons pas d'argent.

When any is used as a determiner in questions it is translated by du, de l', de la or des according to the gender and number of the noun that follows: is there any soap? = y a-t-il du savon? ; is there any flour? = y a-t-il de la farine? ; are there any questions? = est-ce qu'il y a des questions? For examples and other determiner uses see A in the entry below. When any is used as a pronoun in negative sentences and in questions it is translated by en: we don't have any = nous n'en avons pas ; have you got any? = est-ce que vous en avez? For more examples and other pronoun uses see B below. For adverbial uses such as any more, any longer, any better etc see C below.

A det

1 (with negative, implied negative) he hasn't got any money/food il n'a pas d'argent/de nourriture ; they never receive any letters ils ne reçoivent jamais de lettres ; they hardly ate any cake ils n'ont presque pas mangé de gâteau ; I don't want any breakfast/lunch je ne veux pas de petit déjeuner/déjeuner ; I don't need any advice je n'ai pas besoin de conseils ; they couldn't get any details ils n'ont pas obtenu la moindre information ; he hasn't got any common sense il n'a aucun bon sens ;

2 (in questions, conditional sentences) is there any tea/bread? est-ce qu'il y a du thé/pain? ; have you got any plums? est-ce que vous avez des prunes? ; if you have any doubts si vous avez le moindre doute ; if you have any money si vous avez de l'argent ;

3 ( no matter which) n'importe quel/quelle, tout ; any hat/pen will do n'importe quel chapeau/stylo fera l'affaire ; you can have any cup you like vous pouvez prendre n'importe quelle tasse ; any teacher will tell you the same thing n'importe quel professeur te dira la même chose ; any information would be very useful tout renseignement serait très utile ; any complaints should be addressed to Mr Cook pour toute réclamation adressez-vous à M. Cook ; any child caught smoking will be punished tout enfant surpris à fumer sera puni ; I'm ready to help in any way I can je suis prêt à faire tout ce que je peux pour aider ; I do not wish to restrict your freedom in any way je n'ai pas l'intention d'entraver votre liberté de quelque façon que ce soit ; he might return at any time il peut revenir d'un moment à l'autre ; if you should want to discuss this at any time si à un moment ou à un autre vous souhaitez discuter de cela ; come round and see me any time passe me voir quand tu veux ; any one of you could have done it n'importe qui d'entre vous aurait pu le faire ; I don't buy any one brand in particular je n'achète aucune marque en particulier ; you can only take out £200 at any one time vous ne pouvez retirer que 200 livres sterling à chaque fois ; ⇒ case, chance, event, means, minute, old, rate.

B pron

1 (with negative, implied negative) he hasn't got any il n'en a pas ; there is hardly any left il n'en reste presque pas ; there aren't any others il n'y en a pas d'autres ; she doesn't like any of them ( people) elle n'aime aucun d'entre eux/elles ; ( things) elle n'en aime aucun/-e ;

2 (in questions, conditional sentences) I'd like some tea, if you have any je voudrais du thé, si vous en avez ; have you got any? est-ce que vous en avez? ; have any of you got a car? est-ce que l'un/-e d'entre vous a une voiture? ; are any of them blue? y en a-t-il des bleus? ; we have very few blue shirts left, if any il doit rester très peu de chemises bleues, si toutefois il en reste ; if we have any, they'll be over there si nous en avons, ils/elles seront là-bas ;

3 ( no matter which) n'importe lequel/laquelle ; ‘which colour would you like?’-‘any’ ‘quelle couleur veux-tu?’-‘n'importe laquelle’ ; any of those pens n'importe lequel de ces stylos ; any of them could do it n'importe qui d'entre eux/elles pourrait le faire.

C adv

1 ( with comparatives) there isn't any better lawyer in the country c'est le meilleur avocat du pays ; is he feeling any better? est-ce qu'il se sent mieux? ; have you got any more of these? est-ce que vous en avez d'autres? ; do you want any more wine? voulez-vous encore du vin? ; we can't give you any more than £4 an hour nous ne pouvons pas vous donner plus de 4 livres sterling de l'heure ; I can't paint pictures any more than I can write poetry je ne suis pas plus capable de peindre des tableaux que d'écrire des poèmes ; I don't like him any more than you do je ne l'aime guère plus que toi ; I don't know any more than that c'est tout ce que je sais ; any more of that and I'm leaving si ça continue je m'en vais ; any more stealing and you'll be in big trouble ○ si tu continues à voler tu vas avoir de gros problèmes ; he doesn't live here any more ou longer il n'habite plus ici ; I won't put up with it any longer ça ne peut pas continuer ainsi ; if we stay here any longer si nous restons plus longtemps ; can't you walk any faster? tu ne peux pas marcher plus vite? ; if it gets any hotter in here I shall have to leave s'il se met à faire plus chaud il faudra que je sorte ; I can't leave any later than 6 o'clock il faut que je parte à 6 heures au plus tard ;

2 ○ ( at all) du tout ; that doesn't help me any ça ne m'aide pas du tout ; it didn't bother him any ça ne l'a pas du tout dérangé.

Big English-French dictionary > any
10 until

until [ənˈtɪl]

1. preposition

jusqu'à

• until such time as... (in future) jusqu'à ce que... + subj en attendant que... + subj ; (in past) avant que... + subj

• until the next day jusqu'au lendemain

• until now jusqu'à maintenant

• until then jusque-là

• not until (in future) pas avant ; (in past) ne... que

• it won't be ready until tomorrow ce ne sera pas prêt avant demain

• he didn't leave until the following day il n'est parti que le lendemain

• I had heard nothing of it until five minutes ago j'en ai entendu parler pour la première fois il y a cinq minutes

2. conjunction

(in future) jusqu'à ce que + subj, en attendant que + subj ; (in past) avant que + subj

• wait until I come attendez que je vienne

• until they build the new road en attendant qu'ils fassent la nouvelle route

• until they built the new road avant qu'ils (ne) fassent la nouvelle route

• he laughed until he cried il a ri aux larmes

• not until (in future) tant que... ne + indic pas ; (in past) tant que... ne + indic pas

• do nothing until I tell you ne faites rien tant que je ne vous l'aurai pas dit

• do nothing until you get my letter ne faites rien avant d'avoir reçu ma lettre

• wait until you get my letter attendez d'avoir reçu ma lettre

* * *

Note: When used as a preposition in positive sentences until is translated by jusqu'à: they're staying until Monday = ils restent jusqu'à lundi

Remember that jusqu'à + le becomes jusqu'au and jusqu'à + les becomes jusqu'aux: until the right moment = jusqu'au bon moment; until the exams = jusqu'aux examens

In negative sentences not until is translated by ne...pas avant: I can't see you until Friday = je ne peux pas vous voir avant vendredi

When used as a conjunction in positive sentences until is translated by jusqu'à ce que + subjunctive: we'll stay here until Maya comes back = nous resterons ici jusqu'à ce que Maya revienne

In negative sentences where the two verbs have different subjects not until is translated by ne...pas avant que + subjunctive: we won't leave until Maya comes back = nous ne partirons pas avant que Maya revienne

In negative sentences where the two verbs have the same subject not until is translated by ne...pas avant de + infinitive: we won't leave until we've seen Claire = nous ne partirons pas avant d'avoir vu Claire

For more examples and particular usages see the entry below
[ən'tɪl] 1.
preposition

1) (also till) ( up to a specific time) jusqu'à; ( after negative verb) avant

until Tuesday — jusqu'à mardi

until the sixties — jusqu'aux années soixante

until very recently — il n'y a encore pas si longtemps

until a year ago — jusqu'à il y a un an

until now — jusqu'à présent

until then — jusqu'à ce moment-là, jusque-là

(up) until 1901 — jusqu'en or jusqu'à 1901

valid (up) until April 1993 — valable jusqu'en avril 1993

until the day he died — jusqu'à sa mort

until well after midnight — bien au-delà de minuit

to wait until after Easter — attendre après Pâques

from Monday until Saturday — du lundi au samedi

put it off until tomorrow — remets-le à demain

until such time as you find work — jusqu'à ce que tu trouves (subj) du travail, en attendant que tu trouves (subj) du travail

I won't know until Tuesday — je n'aurai pas la réponse avant mardi

they didn't ring until the following day — ils n'ont pas appelé avant le lendemain

it wasn't until the 50's that... — ce n'est qu'à partir des années cinquante que...

2) ( as far as) jusqu'à
2.
conjunction (also till) jusqu'à ce que (+ subj); ( in negative constructions) avant que (+ subj), avant de (+ infinitive)

we'll stay until a solution is reached — nous resterons jusqu'à ce que nous trouvions une solution

let's watch TV until they arrive — regardons la télévision en attendant qu'ils arrivent (subj)

things won't improve until we have democracy — la situation ne s'améliorera pas tant que nous ne serons pas en démocratie

stir mixture until (it is) smooth — Culinary mélangez bien jusqu'à obtenir une pâte lisse

until you are dead — Law jusqu'à ce que mort s'ensuive

wait until I get back — attends que je rentre (subj)

I'll wait until I get back — j'attendrai d'être rentré ( before doing pour faire)

she waited until she was alone/they were alone — elle a attendu d'être seule/qu'ils soient seuls

don't look until I tell you to — ne regarde pas avant que je te le dise

you can't leave until you've completed the course — tu ne peux pas partir avant d'avoir fini le stage

English-French dictionary > until
11 until

until

❢ When used as a preposition in positive sentences until is translated by jusqu'à: they're staying until Monday = ils restent jusqu'à lundi. Remember that jusqu'à + le becomes jusqu'au and jusqu'à + les becomes jusqu'aux: until the right moment = jusqu'au bon moment ; until the exams = jusqu'aux examens. In negative sentences not until is translated by ne…pas avant: I can't see you until Friday = je ne peux pas vous voir avant vendredi. When used as a conjunction in positive sentences until is translated by jusqu'à ce que + subjunctive: we'll stay here until Maya comes back = nous resterons ici jusqu'à ce que Maya revienne. In negative sentences where the two verbs have different subjects not until is translated by ne…pas avant que + subjunctive: we won't leave until Maya comes back = nous ne partirons pas avant que Maya revienne. In negative sentences where the two verbs have the same subject not until is translated by pas avant de + infinitive: we won't leave until we've seen Claire = nous ne partirons pas avant d'avoir vu Claire. For more examples and particular usages see the entry until.

A prep

1 ( also till) ( up to a specific time) jusqu'à ; ( after negative verb) avant ; until Tuesday jusqu'à mardi ; until the sixties jusqu'aux années soixante ; until very recently il n'y a encore pas si longtemps ; until a year ago jusqu'à il y a un an ; until now jusqu'à présent ; until then jusqu'à ce moment-là, jusque-là ; (up) until 1901 jusqu'en or jusqu'à 1901 ; valid (up) until April 1993 valable jusqu' en avril 1993 ; you have until the end of the month vous avez jusqu'à la fin du mois (to do pour faire) ; until the day he died jusqu'à sa mort ; until well after midnight bien au-delà de minuit ; to wait until after Easter attendre après Pâques ; from Monday until Saturday du lundi au samedi ; put it off until tomorrow remets-le à demain ; until such time as you find work jusqu'à ce que tu trouves ( subj) du travail, en attendant que tu trouves ( subj) du travail ; it won't be ready until next week ça ne sera pas prêt avant la semaine prochaine ; I won't know until Tuesday je n'aurai pas la réponse avant mardi ; they didn't ring until the following day ils n'ont pas appelé avant le lendemain ; it wasn't until the 50's that… ce n'est qu'à partir des années cinquante que… ; nothing changed until after the war ce n'est qu'après la guerre que les choses ont commencé à changer ;

2 ( as far as) jusqu'à ; stay on the bus until Egham ne descends pas du bus avant Egham.

B conj ( also till) ( with past and present tenses) jusqu'à ce que (+ subj) ; ( in negative constructions) avant que (+ subj), avant de (+ infinitive) ; we'll stay until a solution is reached nous resterons jusqu'à ce que nous trouvions une solution ; and so it continued until they left et cela a continué jusqu'à ce qu'ils partent or jusqu'à leur départ ; let's watch TV until they arrive regardons la télévision en attendant qu'ils arrivent ( subj) ; things won't improve until we have democracy la situation ne s'améliorera pas tant que nous ne serons pas en démocratie ; stir mixture until (it is) smooth Culin mélangez bien jusqu'à obtenir une pâte lisse ; until you are dead Jur jusqu'à ce que mort s'ensuive ; wait until I get back attends que je rentre ( subj) ; I'll wait until I get back j'attendrai d'être rentré (before doing pour faire) ; wait until I tell you! attends! il faut que je te raconte! ; she waited until she was alone/they were alone elle a attendu d'être seule/qu'ils soient seuls ; don't look until I tell you to ne regarde pas avant que je te le dise ; you can't leave until you've completed the course tu ne peux pas partir avant d'avoir fini le stage ; don't ring me until you know for sure ne m'appelle pas avant d'être sûr ; we can't decide until we know the details nous ne pouvons pas prendre de décision tant que nous n'avons pas de précisions ; not until then did she realize that ce n'est qu'à ce moment-là qu'elle s'est rendu compte que ; ⇒ death.

Big English-French dictionary > until
12 Usage note : lot

When a lot is used as a pronoun (they buy a lot, he spends a lot), it is translated by beaucoup: ils achètent beaucoup, il dépense beaucoup. For particular usages, see A1 in the entry lot1.

When a lot is used to mean much in negative expressions (they didn’t have a lot) it is translated by pas grand-chose: ils n’avaient pas grand-chose. For particular usages, see A1 in the entry lot1.

When the lot is used as a pronoun ( they took the lot), it is usually translated by tout: ils ont tout pris. For particular usages, see A2 in the entry lot1.

When a lot of is used as a quantifier ( a lot of money) it is translated by beaucoup de. For particular usages, see B1 in the entry lot1.

For translations of lots of, see C in the entry lot1.

When a lot is used as an adverb (a lot stronger, he’s changed a lot) it is translated by beaucoup: beaucoup plus fort, il a beaucoup changé. For particular usages, see E in the entry lot.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : lot
13 Usage note : since

As a preposition

In time expressions

since is used in English after a verb in the present perfect or progressive present perfect tense to indicate when something that is still going on started. To express this French uses a verb in the present tense + depuis:

I’ve been waiting since Saturday

= j’attends depuis samedi

I’ve lived in Rome since 1988

= j’habite à Rome depuis 1988

When since is used after a verb in the past perfect tense, French uses the imperfect + depuis:

I had been waiting since nine o’clock

= j’attendais depuis neuf heures

In negative time expressions

Again since is translated by depuis, but in negative sentences the verb tenses used in French are the same as those used in English:

I haven’t seen him since Saturday

= je ne l’ai pas vu depuis samedi

I hadn’t seen him since 1978

= je ne l’avais pas vu depuis 1978

As a conjunction

In time expressions

When since is used as a conjunction, it is translated by depuis que and the tenses used in French parallel exactly those used with the preposition depuis (see above):

since she’s been living in Oxford

= depuis qu’elle habite à Oxford

since he’d been in Paris

= depuis qu’il était à Paris

Note that in time expressions with since French native speakers will generally prefer to use a noun where possible when English uses a verb:

I haven’t seen him since he left

= je ne l’ai pas vu depuis son départ

she’s been living in Nice since she got married

= elle habite à Nice depuis son mariage

For particular usages see the entry since.

Meaning because

When since is used to mean because, it is translated by comme or étant donné que:

since she was ill, she couldn’t go

= comme elle était malade or étant donné qu’elle était malade, elle ne pouvait pas y aller

As an adverb

When since is used as an adverb it is translated by depuis:

he hasn’t been seen since

= on ne l’a pas vu depuis

For particular usages see C in the entry since.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : since
14 Usage note : have

When used as an auxiliary in present perfect, future perfect and past perfect tenses, have is normally translated by avoir:

I have seen

= j’ai vu

I had seen

= j’avais vu

However, some verbs in French, especially verbs of movement and change of state (e.g. aller, venir, descendre, mourir), take être rather than avoir in these tenses:

he has left

= il est parti

In this case, remember the past participle agrees with the subject of the verb:

she has gone

= elle est allée

Reflexive verbs (e.g. se lever, se coucher) always conjugate with être:

she has fainted

= elle s’est évanouie

For translations of time expressions using for or since (he has been in London for six months, he has been in London since June), see the entries for and since.

For translations of time expressions using just (I have just finished my essay, he has just gone), see the entry just1.

to have to meaning must is translated by either devoir or the impersonal construction il faut que + subjunctive:

I have to leave now

= il faut que je parte maintenant or je dois partir maintenant

In negative sentences, not to have to is generally translated by ne pas être obligé de e.g.

you don’t have to go

= tu n’es pas obligé d’y aller

For examples and particular usages see the entry have.

When have is used as a straightforward transitive verb meaning possess, have (or have got) can generally be translated by avoir, e.g.

I have (got) a car

= j’ai une voiture

she has a good memory

= elle a une bonne mémoire

they have (got) problems

= ils ont des problèmes

For examples and particular usages see entry ; see also got.

have is also used with certain noun objects where the whole expression is equivalent to a verb:

to have dinner = to dine

to have a try = to try

to have a walk = to walk

In such cases the phrase is very often translated by the equivalent verb in French (dîner, essayer, se promener). For translations consult the appropriate noun entry (dinner, try, walk).

had is used in English at the beginning of a clause to replace an expression with if. Such expressions are generally translated by si + past perfect tense, e.g.

had I taken the train, this would never have happened

= si j’avais pris le train, ce ne serait jamais arrivé

had there been a fire, we would all have been killed

= s’il y avait eu un incendie, nous serions tous morts

For examples of the above and all other uses of have see the entry.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : have
15 Usage note : be

The direct French equivalent of the verb to be in subject + to be + predicate sentences is être:

I am tired

= je suis fatigué

Caroline is French

= Caroline est française

the children are in the garden

= les enfants sont dans le jardin

It functions in very much the same way as to be does in English and it is safe to assume it will work as a translation in the great majority of cases.

Note, however, that when you are specifying a person’s profession or trade, a/an is not translated:

she’s a doctor

= elle est médecin

Claudie is still a student

= Claudie est toujours étudiante

This is true of any noun used in apposition when the subject is a person:

he’s a widower

= il est veuf

But

Lyons is a beautiful city

= Lyon est une belle ville

For more information or expressions involving professions and trades consult the usage note Shops, Trades and Professions.

For the conjugation of the verb être see the French verb tables.

Grammatical functions

The passive

être is used to form the passive in French just as to be is used in English. Note, however, that the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject:

the rabbit was killed by a fox

= le lapin a été tué par un renard

the window had been broken

= la fenêtre avait été cassée

their books will be sold

= leurs livres seront vendus

our doors have been repainted red

= nos portes ont été repeintes en rouge

In spoken language, French native speakers find the passive cumbersome and will avoid it where possible by using the impersonal on where a person or people are clearly involved : on a repeint nos portes en rouge.

Progressive tenses

In French the idea of something happening over a period of time cannot be expressed using the verb être in the way that to be is used as an auxiliary verb in English.

The present

French uses simply the present tense where English uses the progressive form with to be:

I am working

= je travaille

Ben is reading a book

= Ben lit un livre

In order to accentuate duration être en train de is used: je suis en train de travailler ; Ben est en train de lire un livre.

The future

French also uses the present tense where English uses the progressive form with to be:

we are going to London tomorrow

= nous allons à Londres demain

I’m (just) coming!

= j’arrive!

I’m (just) going!

= j’y vais!

The past

To express the distinction between she read a newspaper and she was reading a newspaper French uses the perfect and the imperfect tenses: elle a lu un journal/elle lisait un journal:

he wrote to his mother

= il a écrit à sa mère

he was writing to his mother

= il écrivait à sa mère

However, in order to accentuate the notion of describing an activity which went on over a period of time, the phrase être en train de (= to be in the process of) is often used:

‘what was he doing when you arrived?’

‘he was cooking the dinner’

= ‘qu’est-ce qu’il faisait quand tu es arrivé?’ ‘il était en train de préparer le dîner’

she was just finishing her essay when …

= elle était juste en train de finir sa dissertation quand …

The compound past

Compound past tenses in the progressive form in English are generally translated by the imperfect in French:

I’ve been looking for you

= je te cherchais

For progressive forms + for and since (I’ve been waiting for an hour, I had been waiting for an hour, I’ve been waiting since Monday etc.) see the entries for and since.

Obligation

When to be is used as an auxiliary verb with another verb in the infinitive ( to be to do) expressing obligation, a fixed arrangement or destiny, devoir is used:

she’s to do it at once

= elle doit le faire tout de suite

what am I to do?

= qu’est-ce que je dois faire?

he was to arrive last Monday

= il devait arriver lundi dernier

she was never to see him again

= elle ne devait plus le revoir.

In tag questions

French has no direct equivalent of tag questions like isn’t he? or wasn’t it? There is a general tag question n’est-ce pas? (literally isn’t it so?) which will work in many cases:

their house is lovely, isn’t it?

= leur maison est très belle, n’est-ce pas?

he’s a doctor, isn’t he?

= il est médecin, n’est-ce pas?

it was a very good meal, wasn’t it?

= c’était un très bon repas, n’est-ce pas?

However, n’est-ce pas can very rarely be used for positive tag questions and some other way will be found to express the extra meaning contained in the tag: par hasard ( by any chance) can be very useful as a translation:

‘I can’t find my glasses’ ‘they’re not in the kitchen, are they?’

= ‘je ne trouve pas mes lunettes’ ‘elles ne sont pas dans la cuisine, par hasard?’

you haven’t seen Gaby, have you?

= tu n’as pas vu Gaby, par hasard?

In cases where an opinion is being sought, si? meaning more or less or is it? or was it? etc. can be useful:

it’s not broken, is it?

= ce n’est pas cassé, si?

he wasn’t serious, was he?

= il n’était pas sérieux, si?

In many other cases the tag question is simply not translated at all and the speaker’s intonation will convey the implied question.

In short answers

Again, there is no direct equivalent for short answers like yes I am, no he’s not etc. Where the answer yes is given to contradict a negative question or statement, the most useful translation is si:

‘you’re not going out tonight’ ‘yes I am’

= ‘tu ne sors pas ce soir’ ‘si’

In reply to a standard enquiry the tag will not be translated:

‘are you a doctor?’ ‘yes I am’

= ‘êtes-vous médecin?’ ‘oui’

‘was it raining?’ ‘yes it was’

= ‘est-ce qu’il pleuvait?’ ‘oui’

Probability

For expressions of probability and supposition ( if I were you etc.) see the entry be.

Other functions

Expressing sensations and feelings

In expressing physical and mental sensations, the verb used in French is avoir:

to be cold

= avoir froid

to be hot

= avoir chaud

I’m cold

= j’ai froid

to be thirsty

= avoir soif

to be hungry

= avoir faim

to be ashamed

= avoir honte

my hands are cold

= j’ai froid aux mains

If, however, you are in doubt as to which verb to use in such expressions, you should consult the entry for the appropriate adjective.

Discussing health and how people are

In expressions of health and polite enquiries about how people are, aller is used:

how are you?

= comment allez-vous?

( more informally) comment vas-tu?

( very informally as a greeting) ça va?

are you well?

= vous allez bien?

how is your daughter?

= comment va votre fille?

my father is better today

= mon père va mieux aujourd’hui

Discussing weather and temperature

In expressions of weather and temperature faire is generally used:

it’s cold

= il fait froid

it’s windy

= il fait du vent

If in doubt, consult the appropriate adjective entry.

Visiting somewhere

When to be is used in the present perfect tense to mean go, visit etc., French will generally use the verbs venir, aller etc. rather than être:

I’ve never been to Sweden

= je ne suis jamais allé en Suède

have you been to the Louvre?

= est-ce que tu es déjà allé au Louvre?

or est-ce que tu as déjà visité le Louvre?

Paul has been to see us three times

= Paul est venu nous voir trois fois

Note too:

has the postman been?

= est-ce que le facteur est passé?

For here is, here are, there is, there are see the entries here and there.

The translation for an expression or idiom containing the verb to be will be found in the dictionary at the entry for another word in the expression: for to be in danger see danger, for it would be best to … see best etc.

This dictionary contains usage notes on topics such as the clock, time units, age, weight measurement, days of the week, and shops, trades and professions, many of which include translations of particular uses of to be.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : be
16 Usage note : let

When let is used in English with another verb in order to make a suggestion (let’s do it at once), the first person plural - ons of the appropriate verb can generally be used to express this in French: faisons-le tout de suite. (Note that the verb alone translates let us do and no pronoun appears in French.)

In the spoken language, however, which is the usual context for such suggestions, French speakers will use the much more colloquial on + present tense or si on + imperfect tense:

let’s do it at once

= on le fait tout de suite? or si on le faisait tout de suite?

let’s go to the cinema tonight

= si on allait au cinéma ce soir?

let’s go!

= allons-y! or on y va!

These translations can also be used for negative suggestions:

let’s not take or don’t let’s take the bus - let’s walk

= on ne prend pas le bus, on y va à pied or ne prenons pas le bus, allons-y à pied

For more examples and particular usages see A1 in the entry let1.

When let is used in English with another verb to express defiance or a command (just let him try!) French uses the structure que + present subjunctive:

just let him try!

= qu’il essaie!

don’t let me see you here again!

= que je ne te revoie plus ici!

For more examples and particular usages see A2 in the entry let1.

When let is used to mean allow, it is generally translated by the verb laisser. For examples and particular usages see A3 in the entry let1.

For translations of expressions such as let fly, let loose, let slip etc., consult the entry for the second word (fly, loose, slip etc.).

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : let
17 nor

nor,

❢ If you want to know how to translate nor when used in combination with neither look at the entry neither.

When used as a conjunction to show agreement or similarity with a negative statement, nor is very often translated by non plus: ‘I don't like him’-‘nor do I’ = ‘je ne l'aime pas’-‘moi non plus’ ; ‘he's not Spanish’-‘nor is John’ = ‘il n'est pas espagnol’-‘John non plus’ ; ‘I can't sleep’-‘nor can I’ = ‘je n'arrive pas à dormir’-‘moi non plus’. When used to give additional information to a negative statement nor can very often be translated by non plus preceded by a negative verb: she hasn't written, nor has she telephoned = elle n'a pas écrit, et elle n'a pas téléphoné non plus ; I do not wish to insult you, (but) nor do I wish to lose money = je ne veux pas vous offenser, mais je ne souhaite pas non plus perdre de l'argent. conj you don't have to tell him, nor should you tu n'es pas obligé de le lui dire, tu ferais même mieux d'éviter.

Big English-French dictionary > nor
18 and

and,,,

❢ When used as a straightforward conjunction, and is translated by et: to shout and sing = crier et chanter ; Tom and Linda = Tom et Linda ; my friend and colleague = mon ami et collègue. and is sometimes used between two verbs in English to mean ‘in order to’ ( wait and see, go and ask, try and rest etc). To translate these expressions, look under the appropriate verb entry (wait, go, try etc). For examples and other uses, see the entry below. conj

1 ( joining words or clauses) et ; cups and plates des tasses et des assiettes ; there'll be singing and dancing on va chanter et danser ; he picked up his papers and went out il a ramassé ses papiers et il est sorti ;

2 ( in numbers) two hundred and sixty-two deux cent soixante-deux ; three and three-quarters trois trois-quarts ; five and twenty ‡ ou littér vingt-cinq ;

3 ( with repetition) more and more interesting de plus en plus intéressant ; faster and faster de plus en plus vite ; it got worse and worse c'est devenu de pire en pire ; I waited and waited j'ai attendu pendant des heures ; to talk on and on parler pendant des heures ; for days and days pendant des jours et des jours ; we laughed and laughed! qu'est-ce qu'on a ri! ; there are friends and friends il y a ami et ami ;

4 ( for emphasis) it's lovely and warm il fait bon ; come nice and early viens tôt ; AND he didn't even say thank you et en plus il n'a même pas dit merci ;

5 ( in phrases) and all that et tout le reste ; and that ○ GB et tout ça ; and so on et ainsi de suite ; and how ○ ! et comment! ; and? et alors? ;

6 ( alike) summer and winter été comme hiver ; I think about you day and night je pense à toi jour et nuit ;

7 ( with negative) I haven't got pen and paper je n'ai ni stylo ni papier ; he doesn't like singing and dancing il n'aime ni chanter ni danser.

Big English-French dictionary > and
19 Usage note : will

The future tense

When will is used to express the future in French, the future tense of the French verb is generally used:

he’ll come

= il viendra

In spoken and more informal French or when the very near future is implied, the present tense of aller + infinitive can be used:

I’ll do it now

= je vais le faire tout de suite

If the subject of the modal auxiliary will is I or we, shall is sometimes used instead of will to talk about the future. For further information, consult the entry shall in the dictionary.

Note that would and should are treated as separate entries in the dictionary.

Tag questions

French has no direct equivalent of tag questions like won’t he? or will they? There is a general tag question n’est-ce pas? which will work in many cases:

you’ll do it tomorrow, won’t you?

= tu le feras demain, n’est-ce pas?

In cases where an opinion is being sought, non? meaning is that not so? can be useful:

that will be easier, won’t it?

= ce sera plus facile, non?

In many other cases the tag question is simply not translated at all and the speaker’s intonation will convey the implied question.

Short answers

Again, there is no direct equivalent for short answers like no she won’t, yes they will etc. Where the answer yes is given to contradict a negative question or statement, the most useful translation is si:

‘they won’t forget’ ‘yes they will’

= ‘ils n’oublieront pas’ ‘si’ or (for more emphasis) bien sûr que si

Where the answer no is given to contradict a positive question or statement, the most useful translation is bien sûr que non:

‘she’ll post the letter, won’t she?’ ‘no she won’t’

= ‘elle va poster la lettre?’ ‘bien sûr que non’

In reply to a standard enquiry the tag will not be translated:

‘you’ll be ready at midday then?’ ‘yes I will’

= ‘tu seras prêt à midi?’ ‘oui’

For more examples and other uses, see the entry will.

Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : will
20 need

need [ni:d]

1. noun

besoin m

• when the need arises quand le besoin s'en fait sentir

• I can't see the need for it je n'en vois pas la nécessité

• your need is greater than mine vous en avez plus besoin que moi

• in times of need dans les moments difficiles

► if need be si besoin est

► in need

• to be in need être dans le besoin

• to be badly in need of sth avoir grand besoin de qch► no need

• to have no need to do sth ne pas avoir besoin de faire qch

• there's no need to cry ce n'est pas la peine de pleurer

• there's no need to hurry ce n'est pas la peine de se presser

• no need to rush! il n'y a pas le feu ! (inf)

• no need to worry! inutile de s'inquiéter !

• there's no need for you to come vous n'êtes pas obligé de venir

2. transitive verb

   a. ( = require) [person, thing] avoir besoin de

• I need money j'ai besoin d'argent

• I need more money il me faut plus d'argent

• I need it j'en ai besoin

• have you got all you need? vous avez tout ce qu'il vous faut ?

• it's just what I needed c'est tout à fait ce qu'il me fallait

• I need two more to complete the series il m'en faut encore deux pour compléter la série

• the house needs to be repainted la maison a besoin d'être repeinte

• a much needed holiday des vacances dont on a (or dont j'ai etc) grand besoin

• he doesn't need me to tell him il n'a pas besoin que je le lui dise

• he needs to have everything explained to him in detail il faut tout lui expliquer en détail

• you only needed to ask tu n'avais qu'à demander

• I don't need this hassle! (inf) je n'a pas besoin de tous ces embêtements ! (inf)

• who needs politicians anyway? (inf) pour ce que l'on a à faire des hommes politiques ! (inf)

   b. ( = demand) demander

• this book needs careful reading ce livre demande à être lu attentivement

• this coat needs to be cleaned regularly ce manteau doit être nettoyé régulièrement

• this will need some explaining cela requiert des explications

3. modal verb

   a. (indicating obligation) need he go? est-il obligé d'y aller ?

• you needn't wait vous n'êtes pas obligé d'attendre

• I told her she needn't reply je lui ai dit qu'elle n'était pas obligée de répondre

• we needn't have hurried ce n'était pas la peine qu'on se presse

• need we go into all this now? faut-il discuter de tout cela maintenant ?

• I need hardly say that... inutile de dire que...

• need I say more? ai-je besoin d'en dire plus ?

• you needn't say any more inutile d'en dire plus

• no one need go hungry nowadays de nos jours personne ne devrait souffrir de la faim

   b. (indicating logical necessity) need that be true? est-ce nécessairement vrai ?

• that needn't be the case ce n'est pas forcément le cas

• it need not follow that... il ne s'ensuit pas nécessairement que...

4. compounds

► need-to-know adjective

• we operate on a need-to-know basis nous n'informons que les personnes directement concernées

* * *

Note: When need is used as a verb meaning to require or to want it is generally translated by avoir besoin de in French: I need help = j'ai besoin d'aide

When need is used as a verb to mean must or have to it can generally be translated by devoir + infinitive or by il faut que + subjunctive: I need to leave = je dois partir, il faut que je parte

When need is used as a modal auxiliary in the negative to say that there is no obligation it is generally translated by ne pas être obligé de + infinitive: you needn't finish it today = tu n'es pas obligé de le finir aujourd'hui

When needn't is used as a modal auxiliary to say that something is not worthwhile or necessary it is generally translated by ce n'est pas la peine de + infinitive or ce n'est pas la peine que + subjunctive: I needn't have hurried = ce n'était pas la peine de me dépêcher or ce n'était pas la peine que je me dépêche

For examples of the above and further uses of need, see the entry below
[niːd] 1.
modal auxiliary

1) (must, have to)

‘I waited’ - ‘you needn't have’ — ‘j'ai attendu’ - ‘ce n'était pas la peine’

need he reply? — est-ce qu'il faut qu'il réponde?, est-ce qu'il doit répondre?

need I say more? — tu vois ce que je veux dire?

I hardly need say that... — inutile de dire que...

did you need to be so unpleasant to him? — est-ce que tu avais besoin d'être si désagréable avec lui?

‘previous applicants need not apply’ — ‘les candidats ayant déjà répondu à l'annonce sont priés de ne pas se représenter’

2) ( be logically inevitable)

need that be true? — est-ce que c'est forcément vrai?

they needn't have died — leur mort aurait pu être évitée
2.
transitive verb

1) ( require)

to need something — avoir besoin de quelque chose

my shoes need to be polished —

my shoes need polishing — mes chaussures ont besoin d'être cirées

I need you to hold the ladder — j'ai besoin de toi pour tenir l'échelle

more money is needed — nous avons besoin de plus d'argent

everything you need — tout ce qu'il vous faut

I gave it a much-needed clean — je l'ai nettoyé, il en avait grand besoin

this job needs a lot of concentration — ce travail demande beaucoup de concentration

to raise the money needed for the deposit — réunir l'argent nécessaire pour la caution

they need to have things explained to them — il faut tout leur expliquer

you don't need me to tell you that... — vous n'êtes pas sans savoir que...

everything you need to know about computers — tout ce que vous devez savoir sur les ordinateurs

that's all I need! — il ne me manquait plus que ça

2) ( have to)

you'll need to work hard — il va falloir que tu travailles dur

something needed to be done — il fallait faire quelque chose

it need only be said that — il suffit de dire que

nobody need know — que cela reste entre nous

nobody need know that I did it — personne ne doit savoir que c'est moi qui l'ai fait
3.
noun

1) ( necessity) nécessité f ( for de)

I can't see the need for it — je n'en vois pas la nécessité

without the need for an inquiry — sans qu'une enquête soit nécessaire

to feel the need to do — éprouver le besoin de faire

there's no need to wait — inutile d'attendre

there's no need for panic — ça ne sert à rien de s'affoler

there's no need to worry — ce n'est pas la peine de s'inquiéter

if need be — s'il le faut

if the need arises — si le besoin s'en fait sentir

there's no need, I've done it — inutile, c'est fait

2) (want, requirement) besoin m ( for de)

to satisfy a need — répondre à un besoin

to meet somebody's needs — répondre aux besoins de quelqu'un

a list of your needs — une liste de ce dont vous avez besoin

my needs are few — j'ai peu de besoins

energy needs — besoins mpl en énergie

3) (adversity, distress)

to help somebody in times of need — aider quelqu'un à faire face à l'adversité

she was there in my hour of need — elle était là quand j'ai eu besoin d'elle

your need is greater than mine — tu en as plus besoin que moi

4) ( poverty) besoin m

to be in need — être dans le besoin

English-French dictionary > need

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