Narrowing a Local History Search | Learn French in English

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Use Narrowing a Local History Search to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Je fais des recherches sur l'histoire locale et j'ai besoin de sources plus solides.

zhuh feh day ruh-SHERSH sür lee-STWAR loh-KAHL ay zhay buh-ZWAN duh soors ploo soh-LEED I'm researching local history and need stronger sources.

Commençons par préciser le sujet pour que la recherche dans la base de données donne des résultats utiles.

koh-mahn-SOHN par pray-see-ZAY luh sü-ZHAY poor kuh lah ruh-SHERSH dahn lah bahz duh doh-NAY dohn day ray-zool-TAH oo-TEEL Let's narrow the topic first so the database search returns useful records.

J'ai essayé des mots-clés très généraux et les résultats partaient dans tous les sens.

zhay ay-say-YAY day moh-KLAY tray zhay-nay-ROH ay lay ray-zool-TAH par-TEH dahn too lay sahns I tried broad keywords, and the results were all over the place.

Utilisez le nom du quartier, une période et le type de source comme filtres.

oo-tee-lee-ZAY luh nohn dü kar-TYAY ün pay-ree-OHD ay luh teep duh soors kohm FEEL-truh Use the neighborhood name, a date range, and the source type as filters.

Pourriez-vous me montrer comment accéder aux archives des journaux ?

poo-ree-YAY voo muh mohn-TRAY koh-MAHN ak-say-DAY oh zar-SHEEV day zhoor-NOH Could you show me how to access the newspaper archives?

Certaines archives ne sont accessibles que depuis le réseau de la bibliothèque.

sur-TEHN ar-SHEEV nuh sohn ak-say-SEEBL kuh duh-PWEE luh ray-ZOH duh lah bee-blee-oh-TEK Some archives open only on the library network.

Alors, commencez par cette page du catalogue.

ah-LOR koh-mahn-SAY par set pahzh dü kah-tah-LOG So start from this catalogue page.

Cela explique pourquoi elles ne se chargeaient pas depuis chez moi.

suh-LAH ex-PLEEK poor-KWAH ell nuh suh shar-ZHAY pah duh-PWEE shay MWAH That explains why they would not load from home.

Utilisez cet ordinateur maintenant.

oo-tee-lee-ZAY set or-dee-nah-TUR mahnt-NAHN Use this computer now.

Ou connectez-vous avec votre carte de bibliothèque depuis le lien vers les archives.

oo koh-nek-TAY voo ah-VEK votr kart duh bee-blee-oh-TEK duh-PWEE luh LYEN vair lay zar-SHEEV Or sign in with your library card from the archive link.

Cela devrait me faire gagner beaucoup de temps.

suh-LAH duh-VRAY muh fehr gah-NYAY boh-KOO duh tahn That should save me a lot of time.

Cela devrait aussi vous donner des sources plus faciles à citer.

suh-LAH duh-VRAY oh-SEE voo doh-NAY day soors ploo fah-SEEL ah see-TAY It should also give you sources that are easier to cite.

Word by Word

Je “Je” means “I” and identifies the person doing the research. It is used before a verb, as in “Je fais des recherches”. Use it when speaking about your own action or situation.

fais In “Je fais des recherches”, “fais” means “am doing” or “conducting”. It is the form used with “Je” in the expression “faire des recherches”. Use “faire des recherches” when describing research you are carrying out.

des In “des recherches”, “des” introduces the plural noun “recherches”. It is part of the common expression “faire des recherches”. Use it before a plural noun when referring to an unspecified amount of things.

recherches “Recherches” means “research” in “Je fais des recherches”. It is used with “faire” and can be followed by “sur” to identify the subject. Use “faire des recherches sur” when saying that you are researching a topic.

sur Here, “sur” means “about” and introduces the subject of the research in “des recherches sur l'histoire locale”. Use “sur” after “faire des recherches” to name what you are studying.

l'histoire “L'histoire” means “history” here and is the subject of the research. The form includes “l’” before “histoire”. Use “l'histoire” when referring to history as a subject, as in “l'histoire locale”.

locale “Locale” means “local” and describes “l'histoire” in “l'histoire locale”. It identifies history connected with a particular area. Use it after a noun when describing something as local in this context.

et “Et” means “and” and links the research activity with the need for stronger sources. Use it to connect two related words, phrases, or clauses, as in “Je fais des recherches et j'ai besoin de sources”.

j'ai “J'ai” means “I have” in “j'ai besoin de sources”. It introduces the expression “avoir besoin de”, meaning to need something. Use “j'ai besoin de” before the thing that is needed.

besoin In “j'ai besoin de sources”, “besoin” expresses need as part of the construction “avoir besoin de”. The needed thing follows “de”. Use “avoir besoin de” to say that you need a person, thing, or resource.

de After “besoin”, “de” introduces what is needed in “j'ai besoin de sources”. It is required in the construction “avoir besoin de”. Use “avoir besoin de” followed by the needed object.

sources “Sources” means “sources”, referring here to research materials. In “j'ai besoin de sources plus solides”, it is the thing that is needed and is described by “plus solides”. Use it for materials or references used to support research.

plus In “plus solides”, “plus” makes the description comparative, meaning “more”. It shows that the speaker wants sources with greater strength or reliability than the current ones. Use “plus” before an adjective when making a comparison.

solides “Solides” means “stronger” or “solid” in “des sources plus solides”. Here it describes sources as more reliable or better supported. Use it after “plus” to describe sources that provide stronger evidence.

Commençons “Commençons” means “let’s start” and proposes beginning the next step together. It is followed here by “par préciser le sujet”. Use “Commençons par” to suggest the first action in a process.

par In “Commençons par préciser le sujet”, “par” introduces the action that should come first. It is followed by an infinitive. Use “commencer par” or “commençons par” before the first step of a task.

préciser “Préciser” means “to specify” or “to narrow down” the topic. In “préciser le sujet”, it takes the topic as its object. Use “préciser” when making information more exact or focused.

le “Le” means “the” before the masculine singular noun “sujet” in “le sujet”. It identifies a specific topic already relevant to the conversation. Use it before a specific masculine singular noun.

sujet “Sujet” means “topic” in “préciser le sujet”. It refers to the subject being narrowed before searching the database. Use “le sujet” when discussing the topic of a search, discussion, or piece of work.

pour In “pour que la recherche ... donne”, “pour” contributes to the meaning “so that” by introducing a desired result together with “que”. Use “pour que” before a clause describing the purpose or intended result of an action.

que In “pour que la recherche ... donne”, “que” completes the linking expression “pour que”, meaning “so that”. It introduces the clause describing the intended result. Use “pour que” to connect an action with its purpose or expected effect.

la “La” means “the” before the feminine singular noun “recherche” in “la recherche”. It refers to the database search being discussed. Use it before a specific feminine singular noun.

recherche “Recherche” means “search” in “la recherche dans la base de données”. It refers to the search being performed in the database. Use “recherche dans” to identify the place or system where a search is conducted.

dans Here, “dans” means “in” and places “la recherche” inside “la base de données”. Use “dans” to indicate the system, place, or context where an action takes place.

base In “la base de données”, “base” means “database” as part of the full expression. The following “de données” specifies the kind of base. Use “base de données” when referring to a database.

données “Données” means “data” in the expression “base de données”. Together, “base de données” means “database”. Use “données” in this expression for information stored and searched in a system.

donne In “la recherche ... donne des résultats”, “donne” means “gives” or “returns”. It describes the results produced by the search. Use “donner des résultats” when a search, process, or action produces results.

résultats “Résultats” means “results” in “donne des résultats utiles”. It refers to the records returned by the database search. Use “donner des résultats” for what a search or process produces.

utiles “Utiles” means “useful” and describes the results in “des résultats utiles”. It indicates that the returned records will help the researcher. Use it after a noun when describing something as useful for a task.

essayé “Essayé” means “tried” in “J'ai essayé des mots-clés”. It refers to an attempt to use broad keywords. Use “j'ai essayé” before an object to say that you tried something.

mots-clés “Mots-clés” means “keywords” in the search context. They are the terms entered to find records. Use “mots-clés” when discussing search terms, especially with “utiliser” or “essayer”.

très “Très” means “very” and intensifies “généraux” in “très généraux”. It shows that the keywords were especially broad. Use “très” directly before an adjective to strengthen its meaning.

généraux “Généraux” means “broad” or “general” in “des mots-clés très généraux”. It describes keywords that are not focused on a narrow subject. Use it after a noun when describing information or terms as general.

les “Les” means “the” before the plural noun “résultats” in “les résultats”. It refers to the specific results produced by the attempted search. Use it before a specific plural noun.

partaient In “les résultats partaient dans tous les sens”, “partaient” describes the results as going in many directions. The expression shows that the search results were scattered and unfocused. Use “partir dans tous les sens” when things become difficult to organize or follow.

tous In “dans tous les sens”, “tous” means “all” and refers to every direction or way. It is part of the fixed expression “partir dans tous les sens”. Use “tous” before a plural noun when referring to all of its members.

sens In “dans tous les sens”, “sens” refers to directions or ways rather than physical senses. The full expression means that things go in many different directions. Use “dans tous les sens” for scattered results, ideas, or movements.

Utilisez “Utilisez” means “use” in this instruction to the researcher. It addresses the listener politely and tells them to apply the listed filters. Use “Utilisez” when giving a polite or formal instruction to use something.

nom “Nom” means “name” in “le nom du quartier”. It identifies the name of the neighborhood to enter as a filter. Use “le nom de” before the name of a person, place, or thing.

du “Du” is the combined form of “de” and “le” in “le nom du quartier”. It means “of the” and links “nom” with the neighborhood. Use “du” before a masculine singular noun after “de”.

quartier “Quartier” means “neighborhood” in “le nom du quartier”. It identifies the local area whose name should be used in the search. Use “nom du quartier” when referring to a neighborhood’s name.

une “Une” means “a” or “one” before “période” in “une période”. It introduces one date period to use as a filter. Use it before a feminine singular noun when referring to one unspecified item.

période “Période” means “period” and refers here to a date range used in the search. It is one of the filters recommended for narrowing the results. Use “une période” when defining a span of time.

type “Type” means “type” in “le type de source”. It identifies the category of source to use as a filter. Use “type de” before a noun when specifying a category.

source “Source” means “source” in “le type de source”. Here it identifies the kind of research material. Use “type de source” when classifying sources by category.

comme In “comme filtres”, “comme” means “as”. It indicates that the neighborhood name, period, and source type are being used in the role of filters. Use “comme” to describe the function or role assigned to something.

filtres “Filtres” means “filters” in the search context. They restrict the database results using details such as a neighborhood, period, or source type. Use “utiliser ... comme filtres” when describing search criteria.

Pourriez-vous “Pourriez-vous” means “could you” and makes the request polite in “Pourriez-vous me montrer”. It is used to ask someone for help or an action. Use “Pourriez-vous” before an infinitive when making a formal or courteous request.

me “Me” means “me” in “me montrer”. It identifies the person who should be shown something. Use “me” before a verb when the action is directed toward the speaker.

montrer “Montrer” means “to show” in “me montrer comment accéder”. It introduces the help the speaker is requesting. Use “montrer à quelqu'un comment” to ask someone to demonstrate how to do something.

comment “Comment” means “how” in “comment accéder aux archives”. It introduces the method the speaker wants to learn. Use “comment” before an infinitive or clause when asking how to perform an action.

accéder “Accéder” means “to access” in “accéder aux archives”. In this expression, the destination or resource follows “à”, here combined as “aux”. Use “accéder à” when talking about reaching or opening a resource.

aux “Aux” is the combined form of “à” and “les” in “aux archives”. It means “to the” before the plural noun “archives”. Use “aux” before a plural noun when the verb requires “à”.

archives “Archives” means “archives” in “les archives des journaux”. Here it refers to stored newspaper records that the researcher wants to access. Use “accéder aux archives” when talking about reaching archival material.

journaux “Journaux” means “newspapers” in “les archives des journaux”. It identifies the kind of material held in the archives. Use “archives des journaux” when referring to newspaper archives.

Certaines “Certaines” means “some” in “Certaines archives”. It refers to part of the archive collection, not all of it. Use “certaines” before a feminine plural noun when referring to some items in a group.

ne In “ne sont accessibles que”, “ne” is part of the negative structure “ne ... que”, which means “only”. It marks the beginning of the restriction and works together with “que”. Use “ne ... que” to limit access or availability to one condition.

sont “Sont” means “are” in “Certaines archives sont accessibles”. It describes the accessibility of the archives. Use this form with a plural subject when stating what something is or is like.

accessibles “Accessibles” means “accessible” in “sont accessibles”. It describes archives that can be reached or opened. In “ne sont accessibles que depuis le réseau”, the phrase limits where they can be accessed.

depuis Here, “depuis” means “from” and identifies the network from which the archives can be accessed. It introduces the starting location or connection point. Use “depuis” before a place or system when describing where access begins.

réseau “Réseau” means “network” in “le réseau de la bibliothèque”. It refers to the library’s network connection. Use “réseau de” to identify the organization or place a network belongs to.

bibliothèque “Bibliothèque” means “library” in “le réseau de la bibliothèque”. It identifies the institution whose network provides access. Use it after “de la” when referring to the library as an institution.

Alors “Alors” means “so” or “then” in “Alors, commencez par cette page”. It connects the access restriction with the next instruction. Use “Alors” to introduce a practical consequence or next step.

commencez “Commencez” means “start” in the instruction “commencez par cette page”. It addresses the listener politely and identifies the first place to begin. Use “commencez par” before the first step or starting point.

cette “Cette” means “this” before the feminine singular noun “page” in “cette page”. It points to a specific page available to the listener. Use it before a feminine singular noun for something near or clearly identified.

page “Page” means “page” in “cette page du catalogue”. It refers to the catalogue page that should be opened first. Use “page du catalogue” when identifying a page belonging to a catalogue.

catalogue “Catalogue” means “catalogue” in “la page du catalogue”. It identifies the library’s catalogue system. Use “page du catalogue” for a page that belongs to or comes from a catalogue.

Cela “Cela” means “that” or “this” and refers to the access instructions just given. In “Cela explique pourquoi”, it introduces the explanation of an earlier situation. Use “Cela explique pourquoi” to connect a cause with something previously observed.

explique “Explique” means “explains” in “Cela explique pourquoi”. It introduces the reason for the archives not loading from home. Use “expliquer pourquoi” when giving the reason for an event or situation.

pourquoi “Pourquoi” means “why” in “explique pourquoi elles ne se chargeaient pas”. It introduces the reason being explained. Use “expliquer pourquoi” before a clause that describes the cause of a situation.

elles “Elles” means “they” and refers here to “archives”. It is the subject of “ne se chargeaient pas”. Use “elles” when referring back to a group of feminine nouns.

se In “elles ne se chargeaient pas”, “se” is part of the expression describing the archives as loading. It appears between the subject and the verb in this construction. Use the exact structure “se charger” when talking about something loading.

chargeaient In “elles ne se chargeaient pas”, “chargeaient” describes the archives as loading. Together with “ne ... pas”, the phrase says that they did not load. Use “se charger” for a page, file, or resource loading.

pas “Pas” completes the negative structure “ne ... pas” in “ne se chargeaient pas”. It gives the meaning “not”. Use “ne ... pas” to negate a verb or verb phrase.

chez In “depuis chez moi”, “chez” refers to a person’s home or usual place. It identifies the location from which the speaker tried to access the archives. Use “chez” before a person or possessive pronoun to refer to that person’s home or place.

moi “Moi” means “me” and completes “chez moi”, meaning “at my place” or “from home”. It identifies the speaker’s own home or location. Use “chez moi” when referring to your own home or usual place.

cet “Cet” means “this” before the masculine singular noun “ordinateur” in “cet ordinateur”. It points to a specific computer. Use it before a masculine singular noun beginning with a vowel sound.

ordinateur “Ordinateur” means “computer” in “cet ordinateur”. It is the device the librarian tells the researcher to use. Use “utiliser un ordinateur” when referring to using a computer.

maintenant “Maintenant” means “now” and indicates that the computer should be used immediately. It places the instruction in the present moment. Use it to specify when an action should happen.

Ou “Ou” means “or” and introduces an alternative to using the library computer. It connects two possible ways to access the archives. Use it between alternatives.

connectez-vous “Connectez-vous” means “sign in” or “log in” in the instruction to access the archive link. It tells the listener to authenticate themselves. Use “connectez-vous avec” before the card, account, or credentials used for sign-in.

avec “Avec” means “with” in “avec votre carte de bibliothèque”. It identifies the card used to sign in. Use “avec” to name the tool, document, or means used to perform an action.

votre “Votre” means “your” before “carte” in “votre carte”. It refers politely to the listener’s card. Use it before a singular noun when addressing someone formally or speaking to more than one person.

carte “Carte” means “card” in “votre carte de bibliothèque”. It refers to the library card used for access. Use “carte de bibliothèque” when referring to a library card.

lien “Lien” means “link” in “le lien vers les archives”. It refers to the link leading to the archive resource. Use “lien vers” to identify the destination of a link.

vers “Vers” means “to” or “toward” in “le lien vers les archives”. It introduces the destination of the link. Use “lien vers” when describing where a link leads.

devrait “Devrait” means “should” in “Cela devrait me faire gagner du temps”. It expresses an expected or likely result rather than a guaranteed one. Use “devrait” when predicting what an action or situation is expected to do.

faire In “faire gagner du temps”, “faire” helps express that something causes someone to gain or save time. It is followed by the infinitive “gagner”. Use “faire gagner du temps” when an action or tool makes a task take less time.

gagner In “me faire gagner beaucoup de temps”, “gagner” means “to gain” or “to save” time. It appears after “faire” in the expression “faire gagner du temps”. Use this expression when a method makes time available or reduces time spent.

beaucoup “Beaucoup” means “a lot” in “beaucoup de temps”. It indicates a large amount. Use “beaucoup de” before a noun when referring to a large quantity.

temps “Temps” means “time” in “faire gagner beaucoup de temps”. It is the resource the new access method is expected to save. Use “gagner du temps” or “faire gagner du temps” when talking about saving time.

aussi “Aussi” means “also” in “Cela devrait aussi vous donner”. It adds another expected benefit after saving time. Use it to introduce an additional result or piece of information.

vous “Vous” means “you” in “vous donner des sources”. It identifies the person who will receive the sources. Use “vous” for a formal singular listener or for more than one listener.

donner “Donner” means “to give” in “vous donner des sources”. It describes the access method as providing sources to the researcher. Use “donner quelque chose à quelqu'un” when describing who receives something.

faciles “Faciles” means “easy” in “des sources plus faciles à citer”. It describes sources that require less effort to cite. Use “facile à” before an infinitive to describe something that is easy to do.

à In “faciles à citer”, “à” links the adjective “faciles” with the action “citer”. The construction means “easy to cite”. Use “adjective + à + infinitive” to describe how easy or difficult an action is.

citer “Citer” means “to cite” in “des sources plus faciles à citer”. It refers to using the sources as references in research. Use “facile à citer” when describing a source that can be referenced without difficulty.

Grammar Points

se connecter à + nom

Connectez-vous à la base de données.

koh-nek-TAY voo ah lah bahz duh doh-NAY

The reflexive verb se connecter uses à before the service or system. In a command, the pronoun follows the verb: connectez-vous.

accéder à + nom

Vous pouvez accéder à une archive.

voo poo-VAY ak-say-DAY ah ün ar-SHEEV

You can access an archive.

Accéder is followed by the preposition à, unlike English access, which does not need a preposition.

French Vocabulary

base de données phrase

bahz duh doh-NAY database

la recherche dans la base de données

faire des recherches phrase

fehr day ruh-SHERSH to do research

Je fais des recherches sur l'histoire locale.

général adj

zhay-nay-RAHL broad; general généraux

des mots-clés très généraux

histoire locale phrase

ee-STWAR loh-KAHL local history

Je fais des recherches sur l'histoire locale.

mot-clé noun

moh-KLAY keyword mots-clés

J'ai essayé des mots-clés très généraux.

partir dans tous les sens phrase

par-TEER dahn too lay sahns to go in all directions; to be all over the place partaient dans tous les sens

préciser verb

pray-see-ZAY to narrow; to specify

Commençons par préciser le sujet.

recherche noun

ruh-SHERSH search; research

la recherche dans la base de données

résultat noun

ray-zool-TAH result résultats

donne des résultats utiles

solide adj

soh-LEED strong; solid solides

des sources plus solides

source noun

soors source sources

J'ai besoin de sources plus solides.

sujet noun

sü-ZHAY topic; subject

préciser le sujet

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Use this computer now.

Show Answer

Utilisez cet ordinateur maintenant.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

source

Show Answer

sources

topic; subject

Show Answer

sujet

to narrow; to specify

Show Answer

préciser

search; research

Show Answer

recherche