A2 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

sur une progrès

sur the progress

Literalmente: to make some progress (Note: 'progrès' is masculine, so 'une' is incorrect; it should be 'un' or 'des')

Use `faire des progrès` to praise someone's improvement in skills or learning.

En 15 segundos

  • Used with the verb 'faire' to mean making progress.
  • Always masculine: use 'un progrès' or 'des progrès'.
  • Perfect for skills, hobbies, and professional growth.

Significado

This phrase is used to describe the act of improving or getting better at a specific skill or task over time. It is the French way of saying you are 'making progress' or 'moving forward' in your learning journey.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Encouraging a colleague

Tu as fait de gros progrès sur ce logiciel.

You have made great progress on this software.

💼
2

Talking about your French studies

Je fais des progrès en français chaque jour.

I am making progress in French every day.

🤝
3

Texting a friend about their hobby

Tes progrès en guitare sont impressionnants !

Your progress on the guitar is impressive!

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

In France, the concept of 'progrès' is deeply tied to the Enlightenment (Les Lumières). It suggests a steady, intellectual movement toward a better state. In modern life, it's most commonly heard in schools and workplaces, where 'marge de progression' (room for improvement) is a standard part of any evaluation.

⚠️

The Gender Trap

Never say 'une progrès'. Even though it sounds like it could be feminine to English ears, it is strictly masculine: 'un progrès'.

💡

The Verb Connection

Always pair 'progrès' with 'faire'. Using 'prendre' or 'avoir' for progress is a common mistake for English speakers.

En 15 segundos

  • Used with the verb 'faire' to mean making progress.
  • Always masculine: use 'un progrès' or 'des progrès'.
  • Perfect for skills, hobbies, and professional growth.

What It Means

It is all about that satisfying 'glow up' in your skills. Think of it as climbing a ladder one step at a time. You are not perfect yet, but you are definitely better than you were yesterday. It covers everything from speaking French to playing the guitar or even getting better at a video game. It is a positive, encouraging way to talk about growth and personal development.

How To Use It

You will almost always use this with the verb faire (to do/make). In French, we say faire des progrès. A very important thing to remember is that progrès is a masculine noun. Even though it ends in an 's', it is not always plural, but we usually use the plural form des progrès when talking about general improvement. You can add adjectives to spice it up, like faire de gros progrès for big improvements or faire des progrès constants for steady growth. If you are talking to a friend, just say, "Tu fais des progrès !" and you will make their day.

When To Use It

Use it at work during a performance review to show you are growing. Use it with your friends when they finally learn how to bake a decent baguette. It is perfect for texting a classmate after a tough exam to stay motivated. If you are at a restaurant and you manage to order your entire meal in French without switching to English, you are definitely en train de faire des progrès! It is a great way to boost someone's confidence and acknowledge their hard work.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for moving physically forward in space. If you are walking toward a door or driving down a street, use the verb avancer instead. Also, avoid using it for the "progress" of a negative thing, like a disease or a forest fire; in those cases, the French prefer the word progression or évolution. And remember the gender trap! Never say une progrès. It sounds as weird to a French person as saying "a apples" sounds to you. Keep it masculine, keep it classy.

Cultural Background

The French education system is quite rigorous and focuses heavily on the "bulletin scolaire" (report card). Teachers often write en progrès on student papers to encourage them without giving away a perfect grade too easily. There is a deep cultural respect for the "process" of learning. It is not just about the final result or the "A" grade; it is about the journey of le progrès. This reflects Enlightenment values where constant human advancement was seen as the highest goal of society.

Common Variations

You might hear être en progrès which means "to be in the process of improving." Another common one is faire un pas en avant, which literally means "to take a step forward." If you are doing really well, you can use faire des progrès fulgurants, which means you are improving at lightning speed! For a more casual vibe, you might hear ça s'améliore, which simply means "it is getting better."

Notas de uso

The phrase is very versatile and safe for all social settings. Just remember: it is always masculine and usually plural when following the verb `faire`.

⚠️

The Gender Trap

Never say 'une progrès'. Even though it sounds like it could be feminine to English ears, it is strictly masculine: 'un progrès'.

💡

The Verb Connection

Always pair 'progrès' with 'faire'. Using 'prendre' or 'avoir' for progress is a common mistake for English speakers.

💬

Modesty Matters

When someone tells you 'Tu fais des progrès', a common modest response is 'Il y a encore du chemin à faire' (There's still a way to go).

Ejemplos

6
#1 Encouraging a colleague
💼

Tu as fait de gros progrès sur ce logiciel.

You have made great progress on this software.

Using 'de gros progrès' emphasizes a significant jump in skill.

#2 Talking about your French studies
🤝

Je fais des progrès en français chaque jour.

I am making progress in French every day.

A classic way to describe language learning.

#3 Texting a friend about their hobby
😊

Tes progrès en guitare sont impressionnants !

Your progress on the guitar is impressive!

Casual and encouraging for a friend.

#4 A teacher's note on an essay
👔

Un travail en progrès, continuez ainsi.

Work in progress, keep it up.

Formal and academic tone.

#5 Humorous comment about a pet
😄

Mon chien fait des progrès, il n'a mangé qu'une seule chaussure ce matin.

My dog is making progress; he only ate one shoe this morning.

Using the phrase for small, funny victories.

#6 A parent talking to a child
💭

Je suis tellement fier de tes progrès à l'école.

I am so proud of your progress at school.

Warm and emotionally supportive.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.

Elle ___ des progrès incroyables en cuisine.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: fait

The subject 'Elle' requires the third-person singular form of the verb 'faire'.

Identify the correct gender for the noun.

C'est ___ progrès remarquable.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: un

Progrès is a masculine noun, so it takes 'un'.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of Expressing Improvement

Informal

Tu gères de plus en plus !

You're getting better and better!

Neutral

Faire des progrès

To make progress

Formal

Une amélioration notable

A notable improvement

Where to use 'Faire des progrès'

Faire des progrès
🏋️

At the Gym

Soulever plus de poids.

💼

In the Office

Maîtriser un nouveau projet.

🗣️

Language Class

Mieux prononcer le 'R'.

🍳

At Home

Apprendre une nouvelle recette.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It is masculine. You should always say un progrès or le progrès, never une.

Yes, but it is much more common to use it in the plural, like faire des progrès, when talking about general improvement.

The verb faire is the standard partner. Example: Je fais des progrès.

No, for physical movement forward, use avancer. Progrès is for skills or abstract development.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your teacher, or your best friend.

You can say Je fais beaucoup de progrès or Je fais d'énormes progrès.

Progrès usually implies improvement, while progression is more about the neutral movement or stages of something.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. Always use the masculine un or plural des.

Yes, you can say Le projet fait des progrès or On avance sur le projet.

They often write En progrès on report cards to show a student is getting better but hasn't reached the top yet.

Frases relacionadas

S'améliorer

To improve oneself

Aller de l'avant

To move forward / keep going

Prendre du galon

To gain experience or rank

Être sur la bonne voie

To be on the right track

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