1.1.11.2 Derivation and word class shifts, in L'Huillier, Advanced French Grammar

presentation of L'Huillier's work, by Corry Shores

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Monique L'Huillier

Advanced French Grammar

1. Framework

1.1 Parts of Speech

1.1.11 Synonyms, homonyms, derivation and word class shifts

1.1.11.2 Derivation and word class shifts

We may use proper or improper derivation to derive a part of speech from another one.

(i) Proper derivation

Ex,

noun: courage → adjective: courageux

verb: conserver → noun: conservateur ; adjective: conservateur

verb: aimer → adjective: aimable

adjective: beau → verb: embellir

adjective: jaune → verb: jaunir

The suffixes of such words aid us in distinguishing the different parts of speech.

(ii) Improper derivation

Ex,

verb: effrayer→ adjective: effrayant (from present participle)

verb: passer → noun: un passant (from present participle)

verb: percevoir → adjective: perçu (from past participle)

verb: mourir → noun: un mort (from past participle)

verb: devoir → noun: un devoir (from infinitive)

adjective: rouge → noun: le rouge

A word like this can be a different part of speech, depending on its syntactical context.

Ex,

Elle porte un pantalon bleu [adj].

She’s wearing bleu trousers.

Je n’aime pas le bleu.

I don’t like (the colour) blue.

L'Huillier, Monique. Advanced French Grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

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