1. Higher Level Structures
Why bother?
Higher level structures make your work more complex and, if used correctly, will help you achieve more marks and therefore a higher grade in both your speaking and writing exams.
It is best to learn a few higher level structures so you can vary your language. Even if you only learn one higher level structure, it will make your work more complex.
The GCSE mark scheme clearly awards more marks for work which is complex and which has a variety of structures.

2. Higher Level Structures
En + present participle
While +…….-ing
By + ……….-ing

3. Higher Level Structures
So what is a PRESENT PARTICIPLE?
A present participle is a form of the verb.
In English, the present participle ends in –ing.
‘En + present participle’ translates as ‘While ing’ or ‘By ing’.
Let’s take a look at some examples of English sentences containing present participles so you get a better idea of how this structure is used:
He normally listens to music while doing his homework.
You will learn more by listening to the teacher.

4. Higher Level Structures
So how do you form the
‘PRESENT PARTICIPLE’
in French?

5. Higher Level Structures
To form the PRESENT PARTICIPLE
Start with the NOUS form of the verb
2. Take off the ‘nous’ and the ‘ons’ ending
3. Add –ant to the stem
e.g. Aller = To go
1. Nous allons = we go
2. Nous allons
3. all + -ant allant
allant = going

6. Higher Level Structures
Some examples of PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Aller
Faire
Jouer
Regarder
Visiter
allant
nous allons
all
+ ant
faisant
nous faisons
fais
+ ant
jouant
nous jouons
jou
+ ant
regardant
nous regardons
regard
+ ant
visitant
nous visitons
visit
+ ant

7. Higher Level Structures
There are only 3 IRREGULAR PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Avoir
Être
Savoir
ayant
nous avons
having
étant
nous sommes
being
sachant
nous savons
knowing

8. Higher Level Structures
‘En + present participle’ can be used in any context
Can you translate the following sentences into English?

9. Higher Level Structures
LIFESTYLE Health / Relationships & Choices
On ne peut pas manger du chocolat en étant au régime.
One cannot eat chocolate while being on a diet.
Normalement nous bavardons en prenant le petit déjeuner
Normally we chat while having breakfast.
Normalement ma soeur et moi nous nous entendons bien en jouant ensemble.
Normally my sister and I get on well while playing together.
La marieé souriait en se mariant dans l’église.
The bride was smiling while getting married in the church.

10. Higher Level Structures
2. LEISURE Free Time & Media / Holidays
On peut trouver les CD les moins chers en surfant sur l’internet.
One can find the cheapest CDs by surfing the internet.
J’adore écouter de la musique en faisant du jogging.
I love listening to music while jogging.
Ma soeur aime faire de la danse en écoutant de la musique.
My sister likes dancing while listening to music.
On peut monter la Tour Eiffel en visitant Paris.
One can go up the Eiffel Tower while visiting Paris.

11. Higher Level Structures
3. HOME & ENVIRONMENT Home & Local Area / Environment
On peut fêter son anniversaire en dînant dans un bon restaurant
One can celebrate one’s birthday by dining in a nice restaurant
D’habitude je range ma chambre en écoutant de la musique.
I usually tidy my room while listening to music.
Normalement je parle avec ma copine en attendant l’autobus.
Normally I talk to my friend while waiting for the bus.
J’essaie d’aider l’environnement en recyclant les journaux.
I try to help the environment by recycling newspapers.

12. Higher Level Structures
4. WORK & EDUCATION School & Future Plans / Current & Future Jobs
C’est possible d’avoir un travail en étudiant pour les examens.
It is possible to have a job while studying for your exams.
J’envoyais des textos en écoutant mon prof de français.
I used to send texts while listening to my French teacher.
On peut chercher un bon travail en regardant dans le journal.
One can look for a job by looking in the newspaper.
On peut aller à l’université en réussissant à ses examens.
One can go to university by passing one’s exams.

13. Higher Level Structures
Do you think you will be able to use ‘en + present participle’ confidently?
Be creative and think of your own sentences.

14. Higher Level Structures
Let’s recap
En + present participle
While +…….-ing
By + ……….-ing
En is always followed by the
PRESENT PARTICIPLE

15. BONNE CHANCE