Key points about the advantages and disadvantages of social media
Use An adjective is a word that describes a noun. In French, adjectives have different endings depending on whether the noun they are describing is masculine, feminine, singular or plural. to describe the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
Adjectives must In French, an adjective must agree with the noun or nouns they are describing, which means that they have to show if they are masculine or feminine (called the ‘gender’) and singular or plural to match the noun. with the The name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words. they describe.
A verb that is usually followed by an infinitive, such as pouvoir (to be able to), vouloir (to want to), and devoir (must). can be used to say what you can, should or must do or what you should not do.
This guide contains listening practise and a Higher Tier reading activity.
Vocabulary – Advantages of social media
Useful positive adjectives to describe the advantages of social media include:
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| actuel(le) | current | amusant(e) | funny, fun, enjoyable, amusing |
| célèbre | famous | drôle | funny |
| extraordinaire | extraordinary | génial(e) | great, brilliant |
| intéressant(e) | interesting | nouveau/nouvelle | new |
| parfait(e) | perfect | populaire | popular |
| positif/positive | positive | préféré(e) | favourite |
| utile | useful | vrai(e) | true |
For example:
Je trouve les réseaux sociaux amusants et intéressants. - I find social media funny and interesting.
On peut avoir une influence globale et devenir célèbre. - You can have a global influence and become famous.
Grammar – Adjective agreements
Making adjectives agree by adding e, s or es
Use adjectives to describe a noun. In French, all adjectives must agree with the noun in gender and number.
The general rule is:
for feminine nouns, add e
for masculine plural nouns, add s
for feminine plural nouns, add es
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| amusant | amusante | amusants | amusantes | funny |
| préféré | préférée | préférés | préférées | favourite |
For example:
J’ai lu une chose amusante en ligne. – I read a funny thing online.
Ils sont mes influenceurs préférés. – They are my favourite influencers.
If an adjective already ends in s, the masculine plural stays the same.
Feminine singular and plural adjectives usually follow the same rules as regular adjectives, adding e and es.
For example:
Cet influenceur est français. – This (male) influencer is French.
Ces influenceurs sont français. – These (male/mixed) influencers are French.
Cette influenceuse est française. – This (female) influencer is French.
Ces influenceuses sont françaises. – These (female) influencers are French.
Making adjectives agree wherever they are in a sentence
Adjectives must agree with the noun even if they are not right next to each other in the sentence.
For example:
Je trouve les réseaux sociaux très intéressants. – I find social media very interesting.
Les informations ne sont pas toujours vraies. – The information isn’t always true.
There are different rules for adjectives ending in certain letters.
Click or tap on Show more to find out about forming the different forms of adjectives ending in mute e, x, el</mark, en, al, f and er.
Agreeing adjectives ending in mute e
If an adjective already ends in e, there is no need to add another e to make it feminine.
To make the adjective plural, add an s for both masculine and feminine.
For example:
Elle est célèbre. – She is famous.
Leurs photos sont célèbres. – Their photos are famous.
Agreeing adjectives ending in x
When an adjective ends in x, remove the x and add se to make it feminine.
For example:
Il est très sérieux. – He is very responsible.
Ma sœur est une personne sérieuse. – My sister is a serious person.
For masculine plural nouns, keep the x and for feminine plural nouns, remove the x and add ses.
For example:
Mon ami pense que ces sites sont vraiment ennuyeux. – My friend thinks that these sites are really boring.
Mon père pense que ces personnes sont vraiment ennuyeuses. – My dad thinks that these people are really boring.
Agreeing adjectives ending el and en
When an adjective ends in el, add le to make it feminine. If the adjective ends in en, add ne to make it feminine.
Add s to make the masculine adjectives plural and les or nes to make the feminine adjectives plural.
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| culturel | culturelle | culturels | culturelles | cultural |
| quotidien | quotidienne | quotidiens | quotidiennes | daily |
For example:
C’était une éducation culturelle. – It was a cultural education.
Je reçois des messages quotidiens. – I receive daily messages.
Agreeing adjectives ending al
When an adjective ends in al, add e to make it feminine and es to make it feminine plural.
To make it masculine plural, change the al to aux.
For example:
Mes parents sont géniaux. – My parents are great.
J’ai regardé une vidéo géniale hier. – I watched a great video yesterday.
Agreeing adjectives ending in f
When an adjective ends in f, remove the f and add ve to make it feminine.
For example:
Son site est très positif. – His site is very positive.
Cette publicité est très positive. – This advert is very positive.
To make the adjectives plural, add s with masculine nouns and ves for feminine nouns.
For example:
Leurs messages sont très positifs. – Their messages are very positive.
Il y a des ressources positives. – There are positive resources.
Agreeing adjectives ending in er
When an adjective ends in er, remove the er and add ère with feminine nouns.
For example:
Il est fier de son travail. – He is proud of his work.
Elle est fière de son travail. – She is proud of her work.
To make the adjective plural, add an s for both masculine and feminine.
For example:
Ils sont fiers. – They (males or mixed group) are proud.
Elles sont fières. – They (females) are proud.
Note that sévère (strict) is the same with masculine and feminine nouns. Add s to make it plural.
For example:
Mon prof est trop sévère. – My (male) teacher is too strict.
Mes profs sont trop sévères. - My teachers are too strict.
Irregular adjectives
Some adjectives are completely irregular, meaning they do not follow the rules when agreeing with feminine and plural nouns.
Click or tap on Show more to see a table of common irregular adjectives and to hear how they are pronounced.
| Masculine singular | Feminine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine plural | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | beautiful, handsome, nice (weather) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | big, large, lots of |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | crazy |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | good |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | hardworking |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | long |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | new |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | old |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | white |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | kind |
Adjective agreements – Mini quiz
Choose the correct adjective to complete each sentence.
Press Start to begin the activity.
Find out more about adjectival agreements in the Gender and number agreement of adjectives in French guide.
Listening practice
Listen to the podcast about social media and choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
First, listen to Émilie, a 16-year-old from Martinique.
- Émilie believes social media to be …
| A | useful |
| B | great |
| C | funny |
The answer is C.
- She likes to …
| A | connect with friends |
| B | follow current celebrities |
| C | ost positive messages |
The answer is B.
Click or tap on Show more to read the transcript and a translation of what Émilie says.
Transcript
Je sais que ma mère pense que les réseaux sociaux ne sont pas géniaux ou utiles pour moi et mes amis.
Cependant, moi, je les trouve drôles.
J’aime suivre des célébrités actuelles et je trouve que leurs messages sont souvent positifs.
Translation
I know that my mum thinks that social media is not great or useful for me and my friends.
However, I find it funny.
I like following current celebrities and I find that their messages are often positive.
Now listen to Rahul, a 17-year-old from Marseille.
- According to Rahul, social media is …
| A | popular |
| B | original |
| C | interesting |
The answer is A.
- He says that his favourite influencer …
| A | is an important person |
| B | shares their real life |
| C | posts perfect photos |
The answer is B.
Click or tap on Show more to read the transcript and a translation of what Rahul says.
Transcript
C’est vrai que les réseaux sociaux sont populaires.
Par contre, beaucoup de gens célèbres ne sont pas très originaux ou intéressants.
Mon influenceuse préférée est une adolescente normale qui partage sa vie réelle.
Ses photos ne sont jamais parfaites et pour moi, c’est ça qui est important.
Translation
It’s true that social media is popular.
On the other hand, lots of famous people are not very original or interesting.
My favourite influencer is a normal teenager who shares her real life.
Her photos are never perfect and for me, that’s what is important.
Vocabulary – Disadvantages of social media
Useful adjectives to describe the negative aspects of social media include:
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| affreux/affreuse | dreadful, awful, horrible | dangereux/dangereuse | dangerous |
| embêtant(e) | annoying | ennuyeux/ennuyeuse | boring |
| énorme | enormous | évident(e) | obvious |
| faux/fausse | false | fou/folle | crazy |
| grave | serious, grave | inquiétant(e) | worrying, disturbing |
| mauvais(e) | bad, wrong | méchant(e) | nasty, naughty, mean |
| négatif/négative | negative | nul/nulle | rubbish |
| pire | worse | terrible | terrible, dreadful |
For example:
À mon avis, les réseaux sociaux sont terribles. - In my opinion, social media is terrible.
Il y a des gens qui postent des commentaires racistes. - There are people who post racist comments.
All Foundation Tier vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Grammar – Modal verbs
Modal verbs verbs indicate modality, ability, necessity, possibility, obligation and permission.
Modal verbs can work on their own, or with another verb that is always in the Form of the verb that has not been conjugated. Usually translated with 'to' in English, eg to play.. Useful modal verbs in French include:
vouloir - to want
devoir - to have to, must
pouvoir - to be able to, can
savoir - to know
Click or tap on the Show more button to find out how to conjugate these key modal verbs and to see examples of how they can be used.
vouloir - to want
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I want |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you want (singular, informal) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/it wants |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | she/it wants |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | one wants/we want |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we want |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you want (singular formal or plural) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they want (masculine or mixed) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they want (feminine) |
For example:
Je veux lire son blog. – I want to read his blog.
You can also use the modal verb vouloir in the conditional tense to say what you would like to do.
For example:
Je voudrais un nouveau portable. - I would like a new phone.
devoir - to have to, must
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I have to/I must |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you have to/you must (singular, informal) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/it has to/he/it must |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | she/it has to/she/it must |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | one has to/we have to/one must/we must |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we have to/we must |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you have to/you must (singular formal or plural) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they have to/they must (masculine or mixed) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they have to/they must (feminine) |
For example:
Les personnes célèbres doivent poster sur les réseaux sociaux. – Celebrities have to post on social media.
pouvoir - to be able to, can
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I can/I am able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you can/you are able to (singular, informal) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/it can/he/it is able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | she/it can/she/it is able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | one can/one is able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we can/we are able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you can/you are able to (singular formal or plural) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they can/they are able to (masculine or mixed) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they can/they are able to (feminine) |
For example:
Je peux passer toute la journée en ligne. – I can spend all day online.
savoir - to know
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I know |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you know (singular, informal) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he/it knows |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | she/it knows |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | one knows |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we know |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you know (singular formal or plural) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they know (masculine or mixed) |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they know (feminine) |
For example:
Elle sait communiquer avec les adolescents. – She knows how to communicate with teenagers.
Mini quiz - Modal verbs
Translate the following sentences into French.
I must go online.
Je dois aller en ligne.
They can share some photos.
Ils/Elles peuvent partager des photos.
We want to see.
Nous voulons / On veut voir.
I know that it’s true.
Je sais que c’est vrai.
Find out more about using modal verbs in the Infinitives in French guide.
Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful vocabulary to use when describing the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
Higher Tier – Vocabulary – Social media
Useful adjectives to describe social media include:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| étonnant(e) | surprising, amazing, incredible |
| formidable | terrific, astounding |
| global(e) | global |
| original(e) | original |
| puissant | powerful |
| réel | real |
| ordinaire | ordinary |
| raciste | racist |
All vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Higher Tier – Grammar – Modal verbs
To use modal verbs in the perfect tense, use the auxiliary verb avoir and the past participle of the modal verb.
| Infinitive | Past participle |
|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - to be able to | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - was able to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - to have to | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - had to |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. to want | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - wanted |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - to know how to | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. - knew how to |
This construction is often followed by an infinitive.
For example:
J’ai pu rencontrer mon héros. - I was able to meet my hero.
Elle a dû essayer. - She had to try.
Ils ont voulu lancer une nouvelle marque. - They wanted to launch a new brand.
J’ai su immédiatement. - I knew immediately.
Higher Tier - Reading practice
Read the article on the impact of social media on teenage mental health and complete the gaps in the sentences below with phrases in English to summarise the article.
Les études récentes ont montré que les réseaux sociaux peuvent avoir des effets inquiétants sur la santé mentale des adolescents.
Les experts pensent que certains sites encouragent les jeunes à se comparer avec les autres d’une façon négative. Beaucoup de célébrités savent présenter une image de leur vie qui est parfaite mais loin de la réalité.
Les jeunes qui veulent poster des photos en ligne risquent de recevoir des commentaires méchants, ce qui est très grave pour leur bien-être.
En plus, il y a des problèmes énormes avec la quantité d’informations fausses et même dangeureuses que les gens partagent sur ces sites.
- Social media can have __________ on teenage mental health.
Social media can have worrying effects on teenage mental health.
- Certain sites encourage young people to __________ with others.
Certain sites encourage young people to compare themselves (negatively) with others.
- Many celebrities know how to present an image of their life which is __________
Many celebrities know how to present an image of their life which is perfect but far from reality.
- Young people who want to post photos online risk __________ which is bad for their well-being.
Young people who want to post photos online risk receiving nasty comments which is bad for their well-being.
- There are huge problems with the amount of __________ that people share on these sites.
There are huge problems with the amount of false and even dangerous information that people share on these sites.
Click or tap on Show more to read a translation.
Recent studies have shown that social media can have worrying effects on teenagers’ mental health.
Experts think that certain sites encourage young people to compare themselves with others in a negative way.
A lot of celebrities know how to present an image of their life which is perfect but far from reality.
Young people who want to post photos online risk receiving nasty comments, which is very serious for their wellbeing.
What’s more, there are huge problems with the amount of false and even dangerous information that people share on these sites.
Higher Tier - Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful Higher Tier vocabulary to use when describing the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
Now you have revised the important vocabulary and key grammar points for describing the advantages and disadvantages of social media, why not have a look at the Describing personal activities and interests in French guide?
Careers advice and tips from BBC Bitesize
Future careers, further studies and the world of work - we're here to help with advice from experts and from young people who've found their path.
More on Media and technology
Find out more by working through a topic
