Top 10 Grammar Topics You Must Master for DELF B1

The Top 10 French Grammar Topics to Master for DELF B1 Success

If you’re preparing for the DELF B1 exam, mastering French grammar is essential. Grammar mistakes can cost you points in writing, speaking, and even reading comprehension, so it’s crucial to focus on the key areas that appear frequently on the exam.

Here’s a detailed guide to the top 10 grammar topics you must master to boost your DELF B1 confidence and performance.

Present Tense Conjugation

The present tense is the foundation of French grammar. You should be comfortable using regular verbs (-er, -ir, -re) as well as irregular verbs (avoir, être, aller, faire).

Example:

• Je parle français tous les jours.

• Nous faisons nos devoirs le soir.
  

Tip: Practice using the present tense in both positive and negative sentences, and include time expressions like toujours, souvent, parfois.

Passé Composé vs Imparfait

Knowing when to use passé composé or imparfait is crucial for writing narratives and speaking about past experiences.

• Passé Composé: completed actions, one-time events

  • J’ai visité Paris l’été dernier.

• Imparfait: ongoing actions, habits, background description

  • Quand j’étais enfant, je jouais au foot tous les samedis.
    

Tip: Look for signal words like hier, soudain (passé composé) and toujours, souvent (imparfait).

Future Tense (Futur Proche & Futur Simple)

DELF B1 often requires you to talk about plans or predictions.

• Futur proche: near future

  • Je vais partir en vacances demain.

• Futur simple: more formal future or predictions

  • Il fera beau la semaine prochaine.

Practice using both tenses naturally in speaking exercises.

Conditional Mood (Le Conditionnel Présent)

The conditional is important for expressing wishes, polite requests, or hypothetical situations.

Example:

• Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plaît.

• Si j’avais de l’argent, je voyagerais plus souvent.

Tip: Combine the conditional with si clauses to show mastery.

Reflexive Verbs (Verbes Pronominaux)

Reflexive verbs are common in daily routines and personal descriptions. You must know how to conjugate and use them correctly.

Examples:

• Je me lève à 7 heures tous les jours.

• Elle s’appelle Marie et elle se promène souvent dans le parc.

Remember: reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) change with the subject.

Object Pronouns (Direct & Indirect)

Pronouns like le, la, les, lui, leur, y, en are essential for avoiding repetition and sounding fluent.

Examples:

• Direct: Je vois le film → Je le vois.

• Indirect: Je parle à Paul → Je lui parle.

• J’y vais demain.

• J’en veux trois.
  

Practice inserting these correctly in present, passé composé, and future tenses.

Agreement Rules (Gender & Number)

Correct agreement is tested in both writing and speaking. This includes:

• Adjectives: une voiture rouge, des maisons blanches

• Past participles with être and reflexive verbs: Elle s’est lavée, Ils se sont réveillés
  

Tip: Always check whether your subject is singular/plural and masculine/feminine.

Relative Pronouns (Qui, Que, Où, Dont)

These pronouns help you combine sentences and sound more fluent.

Examples:

• La fille qui parle est ma sœur.

• Le livre que j’ai lu est intéressant.

• La ville où j’habite est grande.
  

Mastering relative clauses helps you express complex ideas clearly.

Negation Forms

Beyond the basic ne…pas, you need to know:

• ne…jamais → never

• ne…plus → no longer

• ne…rien → nothing

• ne…personne → nobody
  

Example:

• Je ne mange jamais de chocolat.

• Il n’a vu personne hier.
  

Tip: Place the negative correctly around the verb (and auxiliary in compound tenses).

Comparisons & Superlatives

DELF B1 often requires expressing preferences, differences, and extremes.

Examples:

• Comparative: Marie est plus grande que Paul.

• Superlative: C’est le film le plus intéressant que j’ai vu.

• Equal comparison: Il est aussi intelligent que sa sœur.
  

Tip: Practice both oral and written exercises using real-life topics.

Final Advice for DELF B1 Grammar

1. Practice regularly: Focus on 1–2 topics per day.

2. Use authentic examples: Speak and write about your daily life.

3. Mix grammar with vocabulary: This ensures fluency.

4. Do mock tests: Apply grammar rules under exam conditions.

   
   

By mastering these 10 grammar topics, you’ll not only improve your DELF B1 score but also gain confidence to speak, write, and understand French naturally.