French language Q&A Forum

I think I have seen both la douane and les douanes used for the French customs police.  Is there a rule for which to use and when?

I think in English, especially in the UK, it is an evolving language and many grammatical rules are being overwritten by common usage.  On that basis, I think it is becoming harder and harder to prescribe firm rules, and more often the answer is "either may be acceptable".  Unfortunately, bad/lazy/incorrect/slang grammar, used repeatedly, becomes acceptable/normal grammar.  I struggle to teach my children proper grammar, but they hear incorrect grammar all around them, even from teachers, and they use what the hear more than what I tell them is good grammar.  e.g. "James and me went to the cinema."

Bonjour à tous et toutes:

J'aimerais bien poser une question qui concern l'expression  "sauter le pas".  J'ai appris que cet expression signifie qu'on a décidé de se marier.  J'aurais dire "jeter à l'eau", n'est pas?  Je pense que cet expression est utilisé lorsqu'on parle d'un couple. Le deux veut-dire "take the plunge" en anglais.  Seulement une observation.  Don

Why the hyphens in "pas - aussi - monstrueuse?"

In the examples given, 

C'est pratique, les ciseaux. 

There is an adverb and a noun. Why would this not be ce sont? is les ciseaux similar to par of jeans? Where it is plural but acts singular? If this is so it is a slightly confusing example. Thank you. 

In the discussion following several of the lessons, there are often questions like Donna's. And, without being unkind to the wonderful moderators/teachers,  in NONE of the answers had I seen a really 'eureka' moment of clarification.

And then I searched THE SITE  and came across this amazing lesson!

It is brilliant and clears up so much. I think that lesson should be included as a ' 'highlighted related lesson'' to this one and others like ' avoir peur'.

Additionally, in the lesson quoted above there is coverage of phrases meaning  "all/specific/adjectivally modified" nouns.

Two great examples of 'avoir envie' are given.

" Il a envie de bon chocolat. He wants (some) good chocolate."

"Il a envie du bon chocolat que tu m’as donné. He wants the good chocolate that you gave me."

Please add or indicate why NOT a similar distinction for the very common 'avoir besoin'.

You have

 "J’ai besoin de bonnes chaussures. I need (some) good shoes."

If I were to say to a store clerk "I need (the) special shoes with the orthopedic lifts" would I say ;

 "J’ai besoin des  chaussures spéciales  avec orthopédie."

Merci! Looking forward to the answer.

What's the difference between Fondre vs Faire Fondre?

Why are these 2 words "fascine and intimide"  not written in the passé composé.  

What role does the '-t-' play here?

According to a lesson, "tous" should be placed between the auxiliary verb and the past participle  

In sentence i had to take it with me you have used je devais le prendre avec moi but as per lesson we should have used passé composé because the sentence is i had to