Easy ways to use the classy phrase "Si l'on"

Are you struggling to sound more fluent in French? 

Many learners get stuck on sounding too basic, so you're not a lone there.

Sometimes it's important to use more sophisticated phrases to elevate your French. 

Let’s get curious in this week’s mini lesson: 

• Easy ways to use the classy phrase "Si l'on"

• Understand the difference between “si on” and “si l’on”

• Ways to remember

Practical examples with the expression “Si l’on”. 

To start with, you cannot translate the “l´´. Yes, you can say “si on” but by adding the “l’”, it becomes more elaborate and easier to pronounce!

What does it mean? It means the following:

• Si l’on… >>> If you…

Here’s a way to use it:

• Si l’on pratique régulièrement, on progresse plus vite. >>> If you practice regularly, you make faster progress.

As you can see, “Si” requires a hypothesis, and the pronoun “on” can be translated by “one”.  However, it is more natural to use “you” in English.

Let’s play with another example:

• Si l’on choisit des livres et des films adaptés à son niveau, l’apprentissage devient plus agréable et plus efficace. >>> If you choose books and films adapted to your level, learning becomes more enjoyable and more efficient.

Have you noticed that French prefers nouns (apprentissage) while English prefers verbs (learning)? Never translate word for word, but instead, translate the idea.

Always use examples that speak to you. Maybe this one will do:

• Si l’on étudie les conjugaisons tous les jours, elles deviennent plus automatiques. >>> If you study conjugations every day, they become more automatic.

How can you master the expression “Si l’on”?

Immersion certainly helps you master these fine expressions. Let me convince you with this example:

• Si l’on s’entoure de la langue, comme en écoutant des podcasts ou de la musique, on progresse rapidement avec ta capacité de comprendre le français parlé. >>> If you surround yourself with the language, like listening to podcasts or music, it helps to quickly progress in understanding spoken French.

Never be afraid to make mistakes.

Mistakes always help you improve. Don’t be afraid. Be fearless and make mistakes to learn from them.

Let’s have a look at a concrete example:

• Si l’on veut vraiment maîtriser le français, il faut parler sans peur des erreurs. >>> If you really want to master French, you need to speak without fear of making mistakes.

Learn in context.

Whenever you have a context, you will memorise more easily. In addition, you will associate your feelings with your learning.

With this sentence, you will enjoy your learning:

• Si l’on découvre la culture en même temps que la langue, on en comprend mieux les subtilités. Encore mieux - on se fait de beaux souvenirs avec des sentiments. >>> If you discover culture at the same time as the language, you understand the nitty gritty of the language better. Even better - you generate memories with feeling. 

I hope that my examples with the classy phrase “Si l’on” will help you learn it. Now, it’s your turn to apply it to your own examples to master it.

Here are some lessons on the subtleties of French:

10 Different Ways to Translate TO GET in French

16 ways to use the verb RENDRE

Do you already use the expression “Si l’on” ? ...Always happy to hear from you!