Are there parts of France where they use the verb savoir to mean pouvoir? I am told this is a tendency of speakers in Belgium.
The verb "savoir" ('to know/know how to [do something]') is irregular in Le Présent tense:
See also : Connaître vs savoir = to know something vs to know how to do
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 2 questions, 3 answers
Hi Derek,
Well, you learn something every day... Did look it up and found this interesting little article -
https://l-express.ca/quand-savoir-prend-le-pouvoir/
I am not aware of any such usage in France but you never know...
Derek asked:View original
Savoir / Pouvoir
Are there parts of France where they use the verb savoir to mean pouvoir? I am told this is a tendency of speakers in Belgium.
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William Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Connaitre ou Savoir
Slightly confused here.
In the Lawless French Savoir vs Connaitre Quiz. Question no 4 “Il veut ... ce texte par cœur” says that both savoir and connaître are acceptable. However this question “Nous ….. notre leçon par cœur” suggest that only savoir is acceptable.
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/quizzes-and-tests/savoir-vs-connaitre-quiz/
Asked 2 years ago
Hi william,
Having consulted with some French compatriots living in France, we do agree that 'savoir' here is the instinctive verb we would use in both the examples you quote.
However, it is true that 'connaître' would be acceptable but 'savoir' is better perhaps because of the 'par cœur' which indicate that you know the text and the lesson for sure...
Ron Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour William,
Here are a couple of links that may be of use to you.
This one is written by Laura, a Progress with Lawless French
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/savoir-vs-connaitre/
This link is from the UT Austin French department and I have found it to be quite good
http://laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/virr10.html
This link is one that I found online that discusses the difference and having read through it, I think it is right on.
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-savoir-and-vs-connaitre/
While I study the Progress with Lawless French quite a bit, at times I find it useful to search other resources to get another point of view explanation.
As for your question, I can definitely understand the confusion since the quiz questions seem similar. Perhaps a member of the Kwiziq team will be able to explain the nuances of the difference.
Bonne chance,
Here are a couple of links that may be of use to you.
This one is written by Laura, a Progress with Lawless French
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/savoir-vs-connaitre/
This link is from the UT Austin French department and I have found it to be quite good
http://laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/virr10.html
This link is one that I found online that discusses the difference and having read through it, I think it is right on.
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-savoir-and-vs-connaitre/
While I study the Progress with Lawless French quite a bit, at times I find it useful to search other resources to get another point of view explanation.
As for your question, I can definitely understand the confusion since the quiz questions seem similar. Perhaps a member of the Kwiziq team will be able to explain the nuances of the difference.
Bonne chance,
William asked:View original
Connaitre ou Savoir
Slightly confused here.
In the Lawless French Savoir vs Connaitre Quiz. Question no 4 “Il veut ... ce texte par cœur” says that both savoir and connaître are acceptable. However this question “Nous ….. notre leçon par cœur” suggest that only savoir is acceptable.
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/quizzes-and-tests/savoir-vs-connaitre-quiz/
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