SLE French — Written Expression
Free Written Expression Mini-Lessons
Review short mini-lessons linked to the free SLE French Written Expression samples. These lessons help you understand common PSC-style grammar traps, correction reflexes, administrative-language patterns, and “no error” questions.
How to Use These Mini-Lessons
Each mini-lesson corresponds to one question in Sample 1 or Sample 2. Use them after completing the samples, or review them before trying more PSC-style Written Expression practice.
SLE French — Written Expression
Sample 1 Mini-Lessons
These mini-lessons support Written Expression Sample 1. They focus on core PSC-style grammar skills, including adjective agreement, verb agreement, determiners, prepositions, relative pronouns, sentence structure and “no error” recognition.
Accord de l’adjectif
In Written Expression questions, adjectives must agree with the noun they describe.
Rule
An adjective agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
Example:
des directives officielles
PSC trap: The adjective may appear after the noun, but it still agrees with it.
Accord du verbe
The verb must agree with the real subject of the sentence.
Rule
A plural subject requires a plural verb form.
Example:
Les gestionnaires examinent les résultats.
PSC trap: Do not choose the verb form based on the closest word. Find the real subject first.
Prépositions et contractions
Some French prepositions combine with articles to form mandatory contractions.
Rule
à + les = aux.
Example:
Le rapport sera transmis aux responsables régionaux.
PSC trap: “à les” is not acceptable in standard French. The contraction is required.
Déterminants
Determiners must match the gender and number of the noun they introduce.
Rule
tout, toute, tous and toutes change according to the noun.
Example:
conserver tous les documents
PSC trap: Look at the noun after the determiner, not only at the first word of the answer choice.
Reconnaître une phrase sans erreur
Some error-identification questions contain no error. In that case, “Aucun des choix offerts” is correct.
Rule
If all underlined sections are grammatically correct, choose “Aucun des choix offerts”.
Example:
la qualité des services / les nouvelles mesures / les bureaux centraux
PSC trap: Do not overcorrect. Sometimes the sentence is already correct.
Pronoms relatifs
Relative pronouns depend on the grammatical role of the word they replace.
Rule
Use “dont” when the structure requires “de”.
Example:
les renseignements dont ils ont besoin
PSC trap: Identify the hidden expression first: “avoir besoin de”.
Accord dans les sections soulignées
In error-identification questions, each section must be checked against the word it depends on.
Rule
Adjectives and past participles must agree with the correct noun or subject.
Example:
des priorités gouvernementales
PSC trap: A nearby singular word can distract you from the plural noun that controls the agreement.
Infinitif après une construction verbale
Certain verb constructions require a preposition before the infinitive.
Rule
demander à quelqu’un de + infinitive.
Example:
Le comité a demandé aux gestionnaires de réviser les documents.
PSC trap: Do not use a conjugated verb when the structure requires an infinitive.
Expressions de but
Expressions of purpose are common in administrative French.
Rule
Use “afin de” before an infinitive.
Example:
afin d’informer les citoyens
PSC trap: “Afin que” is followed by a conjugated verb, not an infinitive.
Vérifier avant de corriger
Before choosing an error, verify whether the underlined sections are actually incorrect.
Rule
If every proposed section is correct, select “Aucun des choix offerts”.
Example:
un avis officiel / les nouvelles exigences / les étapes à suivre
PSC trap: A correct sentence can feel suspicious in a test. Trust the grammar, not the pressure.
SLE French — Written Expression
Sample 2 Mini-Lessons
These mini-lessons support Written Expression Sample 2. They focus on stronger B–C grammar patterns, including participles, subjonctive structures, required prepositions, relative pronouns and error-identification traps.
Accord du participe passé avec être
When a past participle is used with the auxiliary être, it usually agrees with the subject.
Rule
With être, the past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.
Example:
Les recommandations seront intégrées dans le rapport final.
PSC trap: The subject may appear before a long phrase. Find it before choosing the ending.
Reconnaître une phrase sans erreur
In error-identification questions, the sentence may be entirely correct.
Rule
If all proposed sections are correct, choose Aucun des choix offerts.
Example:
aux employés / leurs observations / soit approuvée
PSC trap: Do not create an error because the sentence feels too formal or too simple.
Subjonctif après une expression de nécessité
Some expressions introduce necessity, obligation or judgment. These often require the subjonctive.
Rule
After expressions such as il est important que, use the subjonctive.
Example:
Il est important que les gestionnaires appliquent les nouvelles directives.
PSC trap: Do not use the infinitive immediately after que in this structure.
Prépositions exigées par le verbe
Some French verbs and expressions require a specific preposition.
Rule
The expression se conformer à requires the preposition à. With les, it becomes aux.
Example:
se conformer aux procédures établies
PSC trap: First identify the required preposition, then apply the correct contraction.
Participe passé employé comme adjectif
A past participle can function like an adjective. In that case, it agrees with the noun it describes.
Rule
A participle used adjectivally agrees in gender and number with the noun.
Example:
les mesures mises en œuvre
PSC trap: Expressions like mis en œuvre often hide an agreement problem.
Pronoms relatifs composés
Relative pronouns must match the structure required by the sentence.
Rule
Use pour lesquelles with the expression les raisons pour lesquelles.
Example:
les raisons pour lesquelles le ministère a modifié ses procédures
PSC trap: Do not choose dont unless the structure requires de.
Prépositions dans les expressions administratives
Administrative French often uses fixed expressions with specific prepositions.
Rule
The correct expression is avoir une incidence sur.
Example:
avoir une incidence directe sur la qualité des services
PSC trap: Prepositions are often tested through fixed professional expressions.
Accord de plusieurs adjectifs
When several adjectives describe the same noun, each adjective must agree with that noun.
Rule
Each adjective must match the noun in gender and number.
Example:
des renseignements clairs et complets
PSC trap: A phrase may contain two adjectives, and both must be checked separately.
Connecteurs suivis d’une proposition
Some connectors change form depending on whether they are followed by a noun or by a full clause.
Rule
Use jusqu’à ce que before a clause with a conjugated verb.
Example:
jusqu’à ce que toutes les données aient été analysées
PSC trap: Look at what follows the connector: a noun group or a full clause.
Vérifier avant de corriger
Error-identification questions require careful verification. Not every sentence contains an error.
Rule
If every proposed section is correct, choose Aucun des choix offerts.
Example:
permettra aux utilisateurs / soumettre leurs demandes / confirmation automatique
PSC trap: A correct sentence can feel suspicious in a test. Trust the grammar, not the pressure.
Ready to Practise Written Expression?
Return to the free samples page to try the public Written Expression sample, or create a free account to unlock additional Written Expression practice and dashboard tracking.
Free account access is valid for 3 days. No payment required.
PSC Prep Canada provides PSC-style preparation material for SLE French Reading Comprehension, including Learning Mode, timed practice, and progress tracking.