Bienvenue! If you’re looking to expand your French vocabulary and express the concept of “written by” in various contexts, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore formal and informal ways to say “written by” in French, providing you with useful tips, examples, and even some regional variations. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions for “Written By”
When it comes to formal writing or academic references, it’s important to employ appropriate language. Here are a few expressions you can use to convey the idea of “written by” in a more formal context:
1. Écrit par: This is a straightforward translation that literally means “written by.” For example, Ce livre a été écrit par Victor Hugo (This book was written by Victor Hugo).
2. Rédigé par: This expression is commonly used in legal or administrative documents. For instance, Le contrat a été rédigé par un avocat (The contract was written by a lawyer).
3. Auteur de: This phrase is used to emphasize authorship, particularly in literary or academic contexts. For example, Marie Curie est l’auteur de plusieurs découvertes scientifiques (Marie Curie is the author of several scientific discoveries).
Informal Ways to Say “Written By”
When engaging in casual conversations or writing informal texts, you might want to use less formal alternatives for “written by.” Here are a few options:
1. Écrit par: Despite being the formal expression, “écrit par” can also be used in less formal situations. For example, Le livre a été écrit par un ami (The book was written by a friend).
2. Par: This simple preposition is frequently used in everyday language to mean “by.” It’s commonly used when mentioning the author of a song, movie, or article. For instance, Cette chanson est par Sting (This song is by Sting).
3. De: Though technically meaning “of,” when used in the context of authorship, “de” can also convey the idea of “written by.” For example, Ce livre est de Jules Verne (This book is by Jules Verne).
Regional Variations
French, being spoken across several regions, may have slight variations in expressions. Let’s explore a few regional variations for “written by” in French:
1. Rédigé par: This formal expression is widely used throughout the French-speaking regions and is the most standard way to say “written by.”
2. Écrit par: Similar to “rédigé par,” this expression is also commonly used in all French-speaking regions.
3. Par: The informal use of “par” is prevalent across different French-speaking regions. It’s safe to say that this option works well universally.
Tips and Examples
Here are some additional tips and examples to help you confidently use the expressions covered above:
- Remember to match the gender and number of the subject with the author’s name. For example, Cette chanson est par Madonna et Britney Spears (This song is by Madonna and Britney Spears).
- In French, it’s common to use definite articles before the author’s name. For instance, Le livre est de Jules Verne (The book is by Jules Verne).
- If you want to emphasize the importance of the author or their work, you can use “l’auteur” (the author) or “l’écrivain” (the writer) instead of the simple prepositions. For example, L’écrivain de ce livre est connu pour son style unique (The writer of this book is known for his unique style).
- When referring to multiple authors, you can use the plural form: Les auteurs de cette étude sont des experts renommés (The authors of this study are renowned experts).
- Be aware that in French, the preposition “de” can sometimes replace “par” or “parmi” (among) when discussing authorship. For example, Les fables de Jean de La Fontaine (The fables by Jean de La Fontaine).
Now that you have a wide range of formal and informal expressions to say “written by” in French, you can confidently express authorship in any context. Remember to adapt your choice based on the formality and regional preferences to ensure clearer communication.
Happy learning, or as the French say, “Bon apprentissage!”
