Translation
to fail; to run aground
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Word origin
Old French eschouer, first used of a boat driven onto rocks or sand. The origin is genuinely disputed, and the figurative sense 'to fail' grew out of the nautical one.
- Origin
- Old French
- Root
- eschouer
Other proposed origins
- Most often traced to a Vulgar Latin excautare, built on cautes ('reef, rock'), so literally 'to be put on the rocks'. (excautare)
- Other accounts derive it from Latin excadere ('to fall out, to drop away'). (excadere)
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | échoue | échouais | échouai | échouerai | échouerais |
| tu | échoues | échouais | échouas | échoueras | échouerais |
| il/elle | échoue | échouait | échoua | échouera | échouerait |
| nous | échouons | échouions | échouâmes | échouerons | échouerions |
| vous | échouez | échouiez | échouâtes | échouerez | échoueriez |
| ils/elles | échouent | échouaient | échouèrent | échoueront | échoueraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | échoue | échouasse |
| tu | échoues | échouasses |
| il/elle | échoue | échouât |
| nous | échouions | échouassions |
| vous | échouiez | échouassiez |
| ils/elles | échouent | échouassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | échoue |
| nous | échouons |
| vous | échouez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- échouant
- Past participle
- échoué · échouée · échoués · échouées
Examples
.
He failed his driving test.
.
The negotiations failed after three days.
.
The boat ran aground on a sandbank.
, .
If we fail this time, we will start again next year.
financement.
The project failed for want of funding.
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French · Free printables
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Free printable study downloads for the French word "échouer" (to fail; to run aground): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 18, lesson 11: échouer, commander, semblant and 7 more words.