French Zero Article

Overview

A common mistake when learning a foreign language is directly translating from language to language. Oftentimes, there are words, expressions, and sentences that can’t be translated word for word. A common example of this concept in French is when one talks about occupations or professions. The "zero article" is the classification for phantom articles, when nouns are used with no article at all.

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stephen
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Zero Article for Professions

A common mistake when learning a foreign language is directly translating from language to language. Oftentimes, there are words, expressions, and sentences that can’t be translated word for word. A common example of this concept in French is when one talks about occupations or professions.

Take a look at these examples and try to point out the grammatical difference between French and English sentences that talk about occupations.

EnglishFrench
I am a writer.Je suis écrivain.
You are a pilot.Tu es pilote.
She is a chef.Elle est cuisinière.

When talking about occupations or professions, notice how no indefinite article (a/an = un/une/des) is used in the sentence.

Notes:

  • An exception to this rule is when there are adjectives used in the sentence to describe the person in their professional role.

            Je suis un écrivain prudent.                I am a careful writer.

            Tu es un bon pilote.                            You are a good pilot.

            Elle est une cuisinièreformidable.     She is a formidable chef.

  • A second exception is when you use the neutral expression C’est to express “It is” or “This is”.

            C’est un pompier qui sauve les personnes d’un feu. 

            It is a firefighter who saves people from a fire.

  • Remember that the profession may change spelling depending on if one is talking about a male or female.

Highlighted Author:

stephen

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The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
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I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
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Listening:
I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.