How to say simple French sentences in different ways

In this post, “How to say simple French sentences in different ways”, you will learn how to express basic ideas using alternative French verbs. This fun and practical lesson will help you vary your vocabulary, avoid repetition, and speak more naturally.

Grammar:

How to say simple French sentences in different ways
Changing your verbs is a great way to improve your speaking, avoid repeating the same verbs, and grow your vocabulary Let’s get started! 1. Il a parlé – He spoke You can also say: 👉 Il a dit quelque chose – He said something 👉 Il a expliqué – He explained We use these three verbs — parler (to speak), dire (to say), and expliquer (to explain) — to express ourselves in different ways. Go to top 2. Elle est partie – She left You can also say: 👉 Elle est sortie – She went out 👉 Elle a quitté la maison – She left the house 👉 Elle est allée ailleurs – She went somewhere else There are other ways to express leaving a place, such as sortir (to go out), quitter (to leave), or aller ailleurs (to go somewhere else). Go to top 3. Ils ont mangé – They ate You can also say: 👉 Ils ont pris le petit-déjeuner – They had breakfast 👉 Ils ont dîné – They had dinner “To eat” is a common verb, but you can also say “to take” or “to have dinner.” Go to top 4. Tu as couru – You ran You can also say: 👉 Tu es allé vite – You went fast 👉 Tu as fait du sport – You exercised 👉 Tu es parti en courant – You left running “Courir” means to move quickly. Depending on the context, other expressions like “to go fast” (aller vite), “to exercise” (faire du sport), or “to leave” (partir) can also be used. Go to top 5. Il a vu quelque chose – He saw something Let’s say it differently: ➡ Il a remarqué quelque chose – He noticed something ➡ Il a aperçu un détail – He glimpsed a detail ➡ Il a observé la scène – He observed the scene To notice, to glimpse or to observe, are verbs that add detail and help your language sound more natural.

Changing your verbs is a great way to improve your speaking, avoid repeating the same verbs, and grow your vocabulary Let’s get started!

1. Il a parlé – He spoke
You can also say:
👉 Il a dit quelque chose – He said something

👉 Il a expliqué – He explained
We use these three verbs — parler (to speak), dire (to say), and expliquer (to explain) — to express ourselves in different ways.

Go to top

2. Elle est partie – She left
You can also say:
👉 Elle est sortie – She went out
👉 Elle a quitté la maison – She left the house
👉 Elle est allée ailleurs – She went somewhere else
There are other ways to express leaving a place, such as sortir (to go out), quitter (to leave), or aller ailleurs (to go somewhere else).

Go to top

3. Ils ont mangé – They ate
You can also say:
👉 Ils ont pris le petit-déjeuner – They had breakfast
👉 Ils ont dîné – They had dinner

“To eat” is a common verb, but you can also say “to take” or “to have dinner.”

Go to top

4. Tu as couru – You ran
You can also say:
👉 Tu es allé vite – You went fast
👉 Tu as fait du sport – You exercised
👉 Tu es parti en courant – You left running

“Courir” means to move quickly. Depending on the context, other expressions like “to go fast” (aller vite), “to exercise” (faire du sport), or “to leave” (partir) can also be used.

Go to top

5. Il a vu quelque chose – He saw something
Let’s say it differently:

➡ Il a remarqué quelque chose – He noticed something
➡ Il a aperçu un détail – He glimpsed a detail
➡ Il a observé la scène – He observed the scene
To notice, to glimpse or to observe, are verbs that add detail and help your language sound more natural.

Go to top