French Proofreading and Editing Tips for Key Problems

Whether youre checking over French homework, proofreading an essay, or verifying a translation, there are certain key problem areas to watch out for. This is not a definitive list by any means, but it indicates areas of confusion and common mistakes caused by differences between French and English and includes links to more detailed explanations and examples. Before you turn anything in, check the following areas of your work. Vocabulary Watch out for differences in meaning and/or spelling. AccentsMissing and incorrect accents are spelling mistakes. ExpressionsDouble-check your idiomatic expressions. False CognatesMany words are similar in spelling but not in meaning. Spelling EquivalentsStudy these differences between English and French spelling. True CognatesThese words are identical in spelling and meaning. Grammar An endless topic, but here are some typical areas of difficulty. AgreementMake sure your adjectives, pronouns, and other words agree. ArticlesDont forget —  these are more common in French. Clauses    * Conjunctions Use the right kind of conjunction.    * Relative Clauses Be careful with relative pronouns.    * Si Clauses Check that these are set up correctly. GenderMake a real effort to use the correct gender. NegationBe sure to use the best negative structure. QuestionsAre you asking them correctly? Verbs    * Conjugations Ensure that each  conjugation matches its subject.    * Modal Verbs These are quite different in French.    * Prepositions Be sure to follow each verb with the right preposition.    * Tense Mood Are your tenses consistent? Do you need the subjunctive? Word OrderAdjectives, adverbs, negation, pronouns cause positioning problems. Mechanics Written conventions can be very different in French and English. Acronyms/AbbreviationsMake sure you write them the French way. CapitalizationCareful - this is much less common in French. ContractionsThese are optional in English, but required in French. Punctuation NumbersFollow French spacing rules and use the correct symbols.