French grammar - Almost - avoir failli |
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The verb faillir is very commonly used in the passé composé to express 'to almost have (done something)' or 'to nearly have (done something)'. The passé composé avoir failli is followed by an infinitive. When followed by à and a noun it means 'to fail at/in (something)' or 'to fail to adhere to (something)' |
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J'ai failli tomber.
I almost fell. |
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J'ai failli avoir un accident.
I almost had an accident. |
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Ils ont failli me rentrer dedans.
They almost ran into me. |
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Nous avons failli rater le train.
We almost missed the train. |
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J'ai failli le faire, mais je me suis retenu.
I almost did it, but I held myself back.
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Nous avons failli perdre nos clés.
We almost lost our keys. |
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Il a failli pleurer quand elle est partie.
He almost cried when she left. |
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Vous avez failli renverser la vieille dame.
You (formal) almost knocked over the old lady. |
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Une maladie du sang rare a failli me coûter la vie.
A rare blood disease almost cost me my life. |
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Tu as failli y rester.
You (familiar) almost died [expression].
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J'ai failli à ma promesse.
I failed to keep my promise. |
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Tu as failli à ta tâche.
You (familiar) have failed in your task. |
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Je n'ai jamais failli à ma parole.
I have never broken my word. |
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Notre famille n'a pas failli à la tradition - le déjeuner de Noël sur la plage.
Our family did not break the tradition - the Christmas lunch on the beach. |
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Il faut ne pas faillir à sa parole.
One must not break one's word. |
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Literally 'You nearly stayed there'.