Use "Falloir" in French

The impersonal verb "falloir" is essential in French for expressing necessity or obligation. It's commonly used in everyday conversations and formal contexts alike. Let's explore its meaning, conjugation, and usage.

Meaning of "Falloir"

"Falloir" generally translates to "to be necessary" or "to need to" in English. It's always used in the third person singular form and is followed by either an infinitive or a noun.

Conjugation

"Falloir" is only conjugated in the third person singular. Here are its forms in different tenses:

• Present: il faut
• Imperfect: il fallait
• Future: il faudra
• Conditional: il faudrait
• Present subjunctive: qu'il faille

Usage and Examples

With an Infinitive

When followed by an infinitive, "falloir" expresses a general necessity:

• Il faut étudier pour réussir. (It's necessary to study to succeed.)
• Il faudra partir tôt demain. (We'll need to leave early tomorrow.)

With a Noun

When followed by a noun, "falloir" is often used with "de" or "du/de la/des":

• Il faut de la patience pour apprendre une langue. (Patience is needed to learn a language.)
• Il nous faut des billets pour le concert. (We need tickets for the concert.)

Common Expressions

• Il faut que + subjunctive: Used to express necessity for a specific person or situation. Example: Il faut que tu finisses ton travail. (You need to finish your work.)

• Comme il faut: Means "properly" or "as it should be." Example: Il s'est habillé comme il faut pour l'entretien. (He dressed properly for the interview.)

Remember, "falloir" is impersonal, so it doesn't change based on who is performing the action. It's a versatile verb that you'll encounter frequently in French, making it crucial for effective communication.