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usage

  • 1 usage

    usage m

    English-French legislative terms > usage

  • 2 usage

    usage ['ju:zɪdʒ]
    (a) (custom, practice) coutume f, usage m;
    sanctified or hallowed by usage consacré par l'usage
    (b) (of term, word) usage m;
    accepted usage le bon usage;
    the term is in common usage le terme est employé couramment;
    that phrase has long since dropped out of usage cette expression n'est plus usitée depuis longtemps
    (c) (employment) usage m, emploi m; (treatment → of material, tool) manipulation f; (→ of person) traitement m;
    designed for rough usage conçu pour résister aux chocs;
    these books are not meant for rough usage ces livres ne sont pas faits pour être malmenés;
    directions or instructions for usage mode m d'emploi

    Un panorama unique de l'anglais et du français > usage

  • 3 usage

    usage [ˈju:zɪdʒ]
    usage m ; [of tool, machine] utilisation f
    * * *
    ['juːsɪdʒ, 'juːzɪdʒ]
    1) ( custom) usage m, coutume f
    2) Linguistics usage m
    3) ( way something is used) utilisation f
    4) ( amount used) consommation f

    English-French dictionary > usage

  • 4 usage

    usage, [transcription]["ju ;zIdZ"] n
    1 ( custom) usage m, coutume f ;
    2 Ling usage m ; in usage en usage ;
    3 ( way sth is used) utilisation f ;
    4 ( amount used) consommation f.

    Big English-French dictionary > usage

  • 5 usage

    1) usage; coutume; pratique consacrée
    2) Jur. usage

    English-French dictionary of law, politics, economics & finance > usage

  • 6 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
    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?
    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

  • 7 usage mark

    PI marque d'usage

    English-French dictionary of law, politics, economics & finance > usage mark

  • 8 usage, use

    utilization, usage (JD)

    English-French insurance dictionari > usage, use

  • 9 Usage note : at

    When at is used as a straightforward preposition it is translated by à:
    at the airport
    = à l’aéroport
    at midnight
    = à minuit
    at the age of 50
    = à l’âge de 50 ans
    Remember that à + le always becomes au and
    à + les always becomes aux (au bureau, aux bureaux).
    When at means at the house, shop, etc. of, it is translated by chez:
    at Amanda’s
    = chez Amanda
    at the hairdresser’s
    = chez le coiffeur
    If you have doubts about how to translate a phrase or idiom beginning with at (at the top of, at home, at a guess etc.) you should consult the appropriate noun entry (top, home, guess etc.). This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as age, the clock, length measurement, games and sports etc. Many of these use the preposition at.
    at also often appears in English as the second element of a phrasal verb (look at, aim at, etc.). For translations, look at the appropriate verb entry (look, aim etc.).
    at is used after certain nouns, adjectives and verbs in English (her surprise at, an attempt at, annoyed at etc.). For translations, consult the appropriate noun, adjective or verb entry (surprise, attempt, annoy etc.).
    In the entry at, you will find particular usages and idiomatic expressions which do not appear elsewhere in the dictionary.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : at

  • 10 Usage note : it

    When it is used as a subject pronoun to refer to a specific object (or animal) il or elle is used in French according to the gender of the object referred to:
    ‘where is the book/chair?’ ‘it’s in the kitchen’
    = ‘où est le livre/la chaise?’ ‘il/elle est dans la cuisine’
    ‘do you like my skirt?’ ‘it’s lovely’
    = ‘est-ce que tu aimes ma jupe?’ ‘elle est très jolie’
    However, if the object referred to is named in the same sentence, it is translated by ce (c’ before a vowel):
    it’s a good film
    = c’est un bon film
    When it is used as an object pronoun it is translated by le or la (l’ before a vowel) according to the gender of the object referred to:
    it’s my book/my chair and I want it
    = c’est mon livre/ma chaise et je le/la veux
    Note that the object pronoun normally comes before the verb in French and that in compound tenses like the perfect and the past perfect, the past participle agrees with it:
    I liked his shirt - did you notice it?
    = j’ai aimé sa chemise - est-ce que tu l’as remarquée? or l’as-tu remarquée?
    In imperatives only, the pronoun comes after the verb:
    it’s my book - give it to me
    = c’est mon livre - donne-le-moi (note the hyphens)
    When it is used vaguely or impersonally followed by an adjective the translation is ce (c’ before a vowel):
    it’s difficult
    = c’est difficile
    it’s sad
    = c’est triste
    But when it is used impersonally followed by an adjective + verb the translation is il:
    it’s difficult to understand how…
    = il est difficile de comprendre comment …
    If in doubt consult the entry for the adjective in question.
    For translations for impersonal verb uses (it’s raining, it’s snowing) consult the entry for the verb in question.
    it is used in expressions of days of the week (it’s Friday) and clock time (it’s 5 o’clock). This dictionary contains usage notes on these and many other topics. For other impersonal and idiomatic uses see the entry it.
    When it is used after a preposition in English the two words (prep + it) are often translated by one word in French. If the preposition would normally be translated by de in French (e.g. of, about, from etc.) the prep + it = en:
    I’ve heard about it
    = j’en ai entendu parler
    If the preposition would normally be translated by à in French (e.g. to, in, at etc.) the prep + it = y:
    they went to it
    = ils y sont allés
    For translations of it following prepositions not normally translated by de or à (e.g. above, under, over etc.) consult the entry for the preposition.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : it

  • 11 Usage note : might

    Although usage shows that may and might are interchangeable in many contexts, might indicates a more remote possibility than may. French generally translates this element of possibility using peut-être with the appropriate verb tense:
    it might snow
    = il va peut-être neiger
    (It is also possible to translate this more formally using il se peut + subjunctive: il se peut qu’il neige). For particular examples see might1 1.
    It is possible to translate might differently depending on the nature of the context and the speaker’s point of view:
    he might not come
    = il risque de ne pas venir
    implies that this is not a desirable outcome for the speaker ;
    he might not come
    = il pourrait ne pas venir or il se peut qu’il ne vienne pas
    however, is neutral in tone. Where there is the idea of a possibility in the past which has not in fact occurred (see might1 2), French uses the past conditional of the verb (which is often pouvoir):
    it might have been serious (but wasn’t in fact)
    = ça aurait pu être grave
    This is also the case where something which could have taken place did not, thus causing annoyance:
    you might have said thanks!
    = tu aurais pu dire merci!
    (see might1 7).
    might, as the past tense of may, will automatically occur in instances of reported speech:
    he said you might be hurt
    = il a dit que tu serais peut-être blessé
    For more examples see the entry might1 and bear in mind the rules for the agreement of tenses.
    Where there is a choice between may and might in making requests, might is more formal and even rather dated. French uses inversion (je peux = puis-je?) in this context and puis-je me permettre de…? (= might I…?) is extremely formal.
    Might can be used to polite effect - to soften direct statements: you might imagine that…or to offer advice tactfully: it might be wise to…In both cases, French uses the conditional tense of the verb: on pourrait penser que… ; ce serait peut-être une bonne idée de… The use of well in phrases such as he might well be right etc. implies a greater degree of likelihood.
    For translations of might well, may well, see B2 in the entry well1.
    For translations of the phrase might as well ( we might as well go home), see well1 B2.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : might

  • 12 Usage note : of

    In almost all its uses the preposition of is translated by de. Exceptions to this are substances ( made of gold), uses with a personal pronoun (that’s kind of you), proportions (some of us, of the 12 of us…) and time expressions ( of an evening). For translations of these, see the entry of. Remember that de + le always becomes du and that de + les always becomes des.
    To find translations for phrases beginning with of (of course, of all, of interest, of late, of old) you should consult the appropriate noun etc. entry (course, all, interest, late, old etc.).
    of also often appears as the second element of a verb (consist of, deprive of, die of, think of). For translations, consult the appropriate verb entry.
    of is used after certain nouns, pronouns and adjectives in English (a member of, a game of, some of, most of, afraid of, capable of, ashamed of). For translations, consult the appropriate noun, pronoun or adjective entry.
    When of it or of them are used for something already referred to, they are translated by en:
    there’s a lot of it
    = il y en a beaucoup
    there are several of them
    = il y en a plusieurs
    Note, however, the following expressions used when referring to people:
    there are six of them
    = ils sont six
    there were several of them
    = ils étaient plusieurs
    For particular usages see the entry of.
    This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as Age, Capacity measurement, Dates, Illnesses, Length measurement, Quantities, Towns and cities, and Weight measurement, many of which use of.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : of

  • 13 Usage note : that

    In French, determiners agree in gender and number with the noun they precede ; that is translated by ce + masculine singular noun ( ce monsieur), cet + masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel or mute ‘h’ ( cet homme) and cette + feminine singular noun ( cette femme) ; those is translated by ces.
    Note, however, that the above translations are also used for the English this (plural these). So when it is necessary to insist on that as opposed to another or others of the same sort, the adverbial tag - is added to the noun:
    I prefer THAT version
    = je préfère cette version-là
    For particular usages, see the entry that.
    As a pronoun meaning that one, those ones
    In French, pronouns reflect the gender and number of the noun they are referring to. So that is translated by celui-là for a masculine noun, celle-là for a feminine noun and those is translated by ceux-là for a masculine noun and celles-là for a feminine noun:
    I think I like that one (dress) best
    = je crois que je préfère celle-là
    For other uses of that, those as pronouns (e.g. who’s that?) and for adverbial use (e.g. that much, that many) there is no straightforward translation, so see the entry that for examples of usage.
    When used as a relative pronoun, that is translated by qui when it is the subject of the verb and by que when it is the object:
    the man that stole the car
    = l’homme qui a volé la voiture
    the film that I saw
    = le film que j’ai vu
    Remember that in the present perfect and past perfect tenses, the past participle will agree
    with the noun to which que as object refers:
    the apples that I bought
    = les pommes que j’ai achetées
    When that is used as a relative pronoun with a preposition, it is translated by lequel when standing for a masculine singular noun, by laquelle when standing for a feminine singular noun, by lesquels when standing for a masculine plural noun and by lesquelles when standing for a feminine plural noun:
    the chair that I was sitting on
    = la chaise sur laquelle j’étais assise
    the children that I bought the books for
    = les enfants pour lesquels j’ai acheté les livres
    Remember that in cases where the English preposition used would normally be translated by à in French (e.g. to, at), the translation of the whole (prep + rel pron) will be auquel, à laquelle, auxquels, auxquelles:
    the girls that I was talking to
    = les filles auxquelles je parlais
    Similarly, where the English preposition used would normally be translated by de in French (e.g. of, from), the translation of the whole (prep + rel pron) will be dont in all cases:
    the Frenchman that I received a letter from
    = le Français dont j’ai reçu une lettre
    When used as a conjunction, that can almost always be translated by que (qu’ before a vowel or mute ‘h’):
    she said that she would do it
    = elle a dit qu’elle le ferait
    In certain verbal constructions, que is followed by a subjunctive in French. If you are in doubt about the construction to use, consult the appropriate verb entry. For particular usages see the entry that.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : that

  • 14 Usage note : the

    In French, determiners agree in gender and number with the noun they precede ; the is translated by le + masculine singular noun ( le chien), by la + feminine singular noun ( la chaise), by l’ + masculine or feminine singular noun beginning with a vowel or mute ‘h’ (l’auteur, l’homme, l’absence, l’histoire) and by les + plural noun (les hommes, les femmes).
    When the is used after a preposition in English, the two words (prep + the) are often translated by one word in French. If the preposition would normally be translated by de in French (of, about, from etc.) the prep + the is translated by du + masculine noun ( du chien), by de la + feminine noun ( de la femme), by de l’ + singular noun beginning with a vowel or mute ‘h ’ (de l’auteur, de l’histoire) and by des + plural noun (des hommes, des femmes). If the preposition would usually be translated by à (at, to etc.) the prep + the is translated according to the number and gender of the noun, by au ( au chien), à la ( à la femme), à l’ (à l’enfant), aux (aux hommes, aux femmes).
    Other than this, there are few problems in translating the into French.
    The following cases are, however, worth remembering as not following exactly the pattern of the English:
    the good, the poor etc.
    = les bons, les pauvres etc.
    Charles the First, Elizabeth the Second etc.
    = Charles Premier, Elizabeth Deux etc.
    she’s THE violinist of the century
    = c’est LA violoniste du siècle or c’est la plus grande violoniste du siècle
    the Tudors, the Batemans etc.
    = les Tudor, les Bateman etc.
    For expressions such as the more, the better, see the entry the.
    This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as weight measurement, days of the week, rivers, illnesses, aches and pains, the human body, and musical instruments, many of which use the.
    For other particular usages of the see the entry the.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : the

  • 15 Usage note : this

    In French, determiners agree in gender and number with the noun they precede ; this (plural these) is translated by ce + masculine singular noun ( ce monsieur) BUT by cet + masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel or mute ‘h’ (cet arbre, cet homme), by cette + feminine singular noun ( cette femme) and by ces + plural noun (ces livres, ces histoires).
    Note, however, that the above translations are also used for the English that (plural those). So when it is necessary to insist on this as opposed to another or others of the same sort, the adverbial tag -ci, giving the idea of this one here, is added to the noun:
    I prefer THIS version
    = je préfère cette version-ci
    For particular usages see the entry this.
    This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as time units, days of the week and months of the year.
    As a pronoun meaning this one
    In French, pronouns reflect the gender and number of the noun they are referring to. So this is translated by celui-ci for a masculine noun, celle-ci for a feminine noun ; those is translated by ceux-ci for a masculine plural noun, celles-ci for a feminine plural noun:
    of all the dresses this is the prettiest one
    = de toutes les robes celle-ci est la plus jolie
    For other uses of this used as a pronoun (who’s this?, this is my brother, this is wrong etc.) and for this used as an adverb ( it was this big etc.), see the entry this.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : this

  • 16 Usage note : to

    This dictionary contains usage notes on such topics as the clock, weight measurement, games and sports etc. Many of these use the preposition to.
    When to is used as a preposition with movement verbs (go, travel etc.) it is often translated by à but remember to use en with feminine countries ( en France) and au with masculine countries ( au Portugal) ; ⇒ Countries and continents.
    Remember when using à in French that à + le always becomes au and à + les always becomes aux.
    When to forms the infinitive of a verb taken alone (by a teacher, for example) it needs no translation:
    to go
    = aller
    to find
    = trouver etc.
    However, when to is used as part of an infinitive giving the meaning in order to, it is translated by pour:
    he’s gone into town to buy a shirt
    = il est parti en ville pour acheter une chemise
    to is also used as part of an infinitive after certain adjectives: difficult to understand, easy to read etc. Here to is usually translated by à: difficile à comprendre, facile à lire:
    it’s easy to read
    = c’est facile à lire
    However, when the infinitive has an object, to is usually translated by de:
    it’s easy to lose one’s way
    = il est facile de perdre son chemin
    To check translations, consult the appropriate adjective entry: difficult, easy etc.
    to is also used as part of an infinitive after certain verbs: she told me to wash my hands, I’ll help him to tidy the room etc. Here the translation, usually either à or de, depends on the verb used in French. To find the correct translation, consult the appropriate verb entry: tell, help etc. For all other uses see the entry to.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : to

  • 17 Usage note : a

    The determiner or indefinite article a or an is translated by un + masculine noun and by une + feminine noun:
    a tree
    = un arbre
    a chair
    = une chaise
    There are, however, some cases where the article is not translated:
    with professions and trades:
    her mother is a teacher
    = sa mère est professeur
    with other nouns used in apposition:
    he’s a widower
    = il est veuf
    with what a:
    what a pretty house!
    = quelle jolie maison!
    For translations of a few, a little, a lot, a great many see the entries few, little, lot, many.
    When expressing prices in relation to weight, the definite article le/la is used in French:
    ten euros a kilo
    = dix euros le kilo
    In other expressions where a/an means per, the French translation is usually par:
    twice a day
    = deux fois par jour
    For translations of all other expressions using the indefinite article such as to make a noise, to make a fortune, at a blow etc. consult the appropriate noun entry (noise, fortune, blow etc.).

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : a

  • 18 Usage note : all

    When all is used to mean everything, it is translated by tout:
    is that all?
    = c’est tout?
    all is well
    = tout va bien
    When all is followed by a that clause, all that is translated by tout ce qui when it is the subject of the verb and tout ce que when it is the object:
    all that remains to be done
    = tout ce qui reste à faire
    that was all (that) he said
    = c’est tout ce qu’il a dit
    after all (that) we’ve done
    = après tout ce que nous avons fait
    we’re doing all (that) we can
    = nous faisons tout ce que nous pouvons
    all that you need
    = tout ce dont tu as besoin
    When all is used to refer to a specified group of people or objects, the translation reflects the number and gender of the people or objects referred to ; tous is used for a group of people or objects of masculine or mixed or unspecified gender and toutes for a group of feminine gender:
    we were all delighted
    = nous étions tous ravis
    ‘where are the cups?’ ‘they’re all in the kitchen’
    = ‘où sont les tasses?’ ‘elles sont toutes dans la cuisine’
    For more examples and particular usages see the entry all.
    As a determiner
    In French, determiners agree in gender and number with the noun they precede. So all is translated by tout + masculine singular noun:
    all the time
    = tout le temps
    by toute + feminine singular noun:
    all the family
    = toute la famille
    by tous + masculine or mixed gender plural noun:
    all men
    = tous les hommes
    all the books
    = tous les livres
    and by toutes + feminine plural noun:
    all women
    = toutes les femmes
    all the chairs
    = toutes les chaises
    For more examples and particular usages see the entry all.
    As an adverb
    When all is used as an adverb meaning completely it is generally translated by tout:
    my coat’s all dirty
    = mon manteau est tout sale
    he was all alone
    = il était tout seul
    they were all alone
    = ils étaient tout seuls
    the girls were all excited
    = les filles étaient tout excitées
    However, when the adjective that follows is in the feminine and begins with a consonant the translation is toute/toutes:
    she was all alone
    = elle était toute seule
    the bill is all wrong
    = la facture est toute fausse
    the girls were all alone
    = les filles étaient toutes seules
    For more examples and particular usages see the entry all.
    Phrases such as all along, all but, at all, for all and of all are each treated separately in the entry all.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : all

  • 19 Usage note : as

    When as is used as a preposition or a conjunction to mean like it is translated
    by comme:
    dressed as a sailor
    = habillé comme un marin
    as usual
    = comme d’habitude
    as often happens
    = comme c’est souvent le cas
    As a conjunction in time expressions, meaning when or while, as is translated by comme:
    as she was coming down the stairs
    = comme elle descendait l’escalier
    However, where a gradual process is involved, as is translated by au fur et à mesure que:
    as the day went on, he became more anxious
    = au fur et à mesure que la journée avançait il devenait plus inquiet
    As a conjunction meaning because, as is translated by comme or puisque:
    as he is ill, he can’t go out
    = comme il est malade or puisqu’il est malade, il ne peut pas sortir
    When used as an adverb in comparisons, as…as is translated by aussi…que:
    he is as intelligent as his brother
    = il est aussi intelligent que son frère
    But see category J in the entry as for as much
    as and as many as.
    Note also the standard translation used for fixed similes:
    as strong as an ox
    = fort comme un bœuf
    as rich as Croesus
    = riche comme Crésus
    Such similes often have a cultural equivalent rather than a direct translation. To find translations for English similes, consult the entry for the second element.
    When as is used as a preposition to indicate a person’s profession or position, it is translated by comme:
    he works as an engineer
    = il travaille comme ingénieur
    Note that the article a/an is not translated.
    When as is used with a preposition to mean in my/his capacity as, it is translated by en tant que:
    as a teacher I believe that…
    = en tant qu’enseignant je crois que…
    For more examples, particular usages and phrases like as for, as from, as to etc. see the entry as.

    Big English-French dictionary > Usage note : as

  • 20 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

См. также в других словарях:

  • usagé — usagé …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • usage — [ yzaʒ ] n. m. • XIIe; du lat. usus → us I ♦ 1 ♦ (1190) Le fait d appliquer, de faire agir (un objet, une matière), pour obtenir un effet, que cet objet, cette matière subsiste (⇒ utilisation), disparaisse (⇒ consommation) ou se modifie e …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • usagé — usage [ yzaʒ ] n. m. • XIIe; du lat. usus → us I ♦ 1 ♦ (1190) Le fait d appliquer, de faire agir (un objet, une matière), pour obtenir un effet, que cet objet, cette matière subsiste (⇒ utilisation), disparaisse (⇒ …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • usage — Usage. s. m. Coustume, pratique receuë. Long, constant, perpetuel, ancien usage. c estoit l usage du pays, du temps. cela est receu par l usage. c est l usage. l usage le veut ainsi. l usage est le maistre des langues vivantes. ce mot n est pas… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • usage — Usage, m. penac. C est ce que le Latin dit Vsus, dont il descend. Usage aussi se prent pour coustume, et selon ce on trouve souvent au coustumier de France ces deux mots Usage, et coustume pour une mesme chose, d autant que coustume n est autre… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • Usage — Us age, n. [F. usage, LL. usaticum. See {Use}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The act of using; mode of using or treating; treatment; conduct with respect to a person or a thing; as, good usage; ill usage; hard usage. [1913 Webster] My brother Is prisoner to …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • usage — us·age / yü sij, zij/ n: an habitual or uniform practice esp. in an area or trade compare custom Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. us …   Law dictionary

  • usage — UK US /ˈjuːsɪdʒ/ noun [U] ► the process of using something: »The software allows marketers to track the usage patterns of each customer. ► the amount of something used, such as energy, internet time, etc.: »The plan offers unlimited internet… …   Financial and business terms

  • usagé — usagé, ée (u za jé, jée) adj. Terme familier. Qui a de l usage. Les femmes les moins usagées. HISTORIQUE    XVe s. •   Usagés es faits d armes, FROISS. II, II, 184. SUPPLÉMENT AU DICTIONNAIRE    USAGÉ. Ajoutez :2° Qui a servi, qui a fait de l… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • usage — (n.) c.1300, established practice, custom, from Anglo Fr. and O.Fr. usage custom, habit, experience, from us, from L. usus use, custom (see USE (Cf. use)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • Usage — (fr., spr. Üsahsch), Brauch, Gebrauch, Herkommen, Gewohnheit; daher U. du monde, Weltsitte, Weltton …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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