English Grammar for ESL learners
FAUX AMIS - FALSE FRIENDS
(French-English)
Faux amis or 'false friends' are words that appear to be the same in French and in
English, but have a different meaning.
(Les faux amis sont des mots qui se ressemblent en francais et en anglais mais n'ont pas
le meme sens.)
| FRENCH | ENGLISH Incorrect Correct |
EXAMPLE | |
| Achever | Achieve | Complete or finish | The renovation was finished at the end of 2016. We have completed the programme. |
| Actuellement | Actually | At the moment, currently |
At the moment I am revising my English. |
| Affluence | Affluence | Crowds | There were crowds of people in the streets. |
| Agenda | Agenda | Diary | I note all my appointments in my diary. |
| Ancien | Ancient | Former | Our former chairman was more dynamic. |
| Assister a | Assist | Attend | ll the personnel must attend the meeting. |
| Avertissement | Advertisement | Warning | The message was sent as a warning. |
| Bail | Bail | Lease | We can move in as soon as we sign the lease. |
| Blesser | Bless | Hurt / injure | He was injured in a road accident. |
| Bribes | Bribes | Scraps Snatches |
He overheard snatches of the conversation. |
| Chance | Chance | Luck | Good luck! I hope you'll be as lucky as Tom. |
| Coin | Coin | Corner | The cinema is at the corner of the street. |
| Commander | Command | Order | He ordered food for everybody. |
| Conducteur | Conductor | Driver | She told the driver to be careful on the roads. |
| Confection | Confection | Clothing industry | He works in the clothing industry. |
| Controle | Control | Check | Tickets are checked before boarding. |
| Deception | Deception | Disappointment | His failure was a big disappointment. |
| Decevoir | Deceive | Disappoint | The players were disappointed not to win. |
| Delai | Delay | Time limit Deadline |
We were given a time limit. Friday is the deadline. |
| Envie | Envy | Want Feel like |
I don't want to go. I don't feel like going. |
| Eventuellement | Eventually | Possibly Perhaps If need be |
Perhaps/If need be I could send a fax. Could there possibly be a mistake? |
| Formidable | Formidable | Great Terrific |
You did a terrific job! He's a great performer. |
| Fortune | Fortunate | Wealthy Well-off |
The money was donated by a wealthy man. Her family is very well off. |
| Fournitures | Furniture | Supplies | Julie is responsible for office supplies. |
| Gentil | Gentle | Nice Kind |
She's a nice person. Her remarks are always kind. |
| Grief (faire) | Grieve | Reproach | Amy reproached Tom for breaking his promise. |
| Habit | Habit | Clothes/ dress | The old man was wearing his Sunday clothes. |
| Important | Important | Big / large | There was a big crowd waiting to see the Queen. |
Please note that British English spelling is used on this website.