In French, the way you say something and how it feels can change the meaning of phrasal verbs. Let’s break this down simply.
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Context Matters:
- Phrasal verbs can mean different things based on where and how you use them. For example, "passer à" can mean "to switch to" when talking about technical stuff, but in everyday talk, it might just mean "to go by."
- Some phrasal verbs are used more in stories than in regular conversations. The difference can be as much as 30% in how often they appear.
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Tone Matters:
- When people speak formally, they tend to use fewer phrasal verbs and stick to more traditional phrases. But in casual chats, phrasal verbs are used a lot! Research shows that around 65% of native speakers use them when they’re just talking.
- The feeling behind the words can also change their meaning. For instance, "sortir" usually means "to go out." But if someone says it in an excited way, it might mean "to hang out" with friends instead.
Getting these differences is really important if you want to expand your French vocabulary.