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On se bouge ! Impersonal verbs
I can use a range of impersonal verbs to give advice and instructions on the importance of health and exercise.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 11
- AQA
On se bouge ! Impersonal verbs
I can use a range of impersonal verbs to give advice and instructions on the importance of health and exercise.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Il est', 'il fait', 'il y a' and 'il faut' are common impersonal verbs.
- Impersonal verbs are usually only used with the pronoun 'il'.
- 'Il est' + adjective + 'de' + infinitive can be used to express 'it is difficult/easy/forbidden to' + a verb.
- Impersonal verbs 'valoir mieux' ('to be better') and 'valoir la peine de' ('to be worth') are followed by an infinitive.
Keywords
Impersonal verb - a verb that doesn't refer to a particular person or thing, and whose subject is most often 'il' (it)
Common misconception
'Il' always means 'he' in English.
Impersonal verbs nearly always have the subject 'il'. This translates as 'it' instead of 'he', e.g. 'il fait beau' - 'it is nice weather'.
Teachers could extend the final speaking task by asking students to think of some additional problems of their own.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Mini whiteboards and pens are useful, if available.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the correct meaning of the French word “taille”?
What is the correct meaning of the French word “taille”?
field
consumer
purchase
Q2.Match each French to its English meaning.
Match each French to its English meaning.
Q3.Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.
Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence.
Q4.Which sentence correctly uses “il faut”?
Which sentence correctly uses “il faut”?
Il faut dos dehors.
Il faut santé important.
Il faut la taille de vie.
Q5.Complete the sentence so that it means 'It is too difficult to try.' Il trop difficile d' essayer.
Complete the sentence so that it means 'It is too difficult to try.' Il trop difficile d' essayer.
Q6.What are the two words for 'it' in French?
What are the two words for 'it' in French?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence contains an impersonal verb?
Which sentence contains an impersonal verb?
Il bouge trop.
Il possède un champ.
Il a mal au dos.
Q2.Match each impersonal verb phrase to its English meaning.
Match each impersonal verb phrase to its English meaning.
Q3.Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence.
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence.
Q4.Complete the sentence with the correct verb. Il __________ mieux faire de l’exercice chaque jour.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb. Il __________ mieux faire de l’exercice chaque jour.
faut
est
fait
Q5.Translate to French: It is difficult to sleep.
Translate to French: It is difficult to sleep.
Q6.Match the French and the English
Match the French and the English
