Deciding whether to move an outdoor event indoors | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: Before an outdoor event, two adults consider moving indoors because strong wind could make tents, equipment, and a banner unsafe..

EN → FR / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Deciding whether to move an outdoor event indoors to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Les prévisions annoncent que les vents forts continueront pendant l'événement extérieur.

lay pray-vee-ZYON ah-NONSS kuh lay vahn FOR kon-tee-new-ROHN pahn-DAHN lay-vay-nuh-MAHN ex-tay-ree-UR The forecast says strong winds will continue during the outdoor event.
B

Cela pourrait poser problème avec les tentes et le matériel sonore.

SUH-lah poo-RAY poh-ZAY proh-BLEM ah-VEK lay TAHNT ay luh mah-tay-ree-EL soh-NOR That could be a problem with tents and sound equipment.
A

Nous pouvons fixer les tables, mais installer la banderole pourrait être dangereux.

Noo poo-VOHN feek-SAY lay TAHBL, may an-stah-LAY lah bahn-DROHL poo-RAY EH-truh dahn-zhuh-RUH We can secure the tables, but putting up the banner might be dangerous.
B

La sécurité est plus importante que le maintien de l'installation prévue.

lah say-kyoo-ree-TAY ay plooz an-por-TAHNT kuh luh mant-YEN duh lan-stah-lah-SYON pray-VYOO Safety matters more than keeping the original setup.
A

Devrait-on annuler ou tout déplacer à la salle municipale ?

duh-VRAY-tohn ah-new-LAY oo too day-plah-SAY ah lah SAHL myoo-nee-see-PAHL Should we cancel, or move everything to the community hall?
B

Tout déplacer à l'intérieur est préférable si la salle est disponible.

too day-plah-SAY ah lan-tay-ree-UR ay pray-fay-RAHBL see lah SAHL ay dee-spoh-NEEBL Moving indoors is better if the hall is available.
A

Je peux appeler l'organisateur et lui demander si l'option en intérieur est possible.

zhuh puh ah-PLAY lor-gah-nee-zah-TUR ay lwee duh-mahn-DAY see lop-SYON ahn an-tay-ree-UR ay poh-SEEBL I can call the organizer and ask about the indoor option.
B

Préviens aussi les participants avant qu'ils ne commencent à se déplacer.

pray-VYAN oh-SEE lay par-tee-see-PAHN ah-VAHN keel nuh koh-MAHNSS ah suh day-plah-SAY Tell participants before they start traveling, too.
A

Les changements de dernière minute sont frustrants, mais les conditions dangereuses sont pires.

lay shahnzh-MAHN duh dair-NYAIR mee-NOOT sohn froos-TRAHN, may lay kohn-dee-SYON dahn-zhuh-RUHZ sohn PEER Late changes are frustrating, but dangerous conditions are worse.
B

Une communication claire est importante quand la météo change le programme.

ewn koh-myoo-nee-kah-SYON klair ay-tan-por-TAHNT kahn lah may-TAY-oh shahnzh luh proh-GRAHM Clear communication matters when weather changes the plan.

Word by Word

Les Les means “the” in “Les prévisions” and introduces a definite plural noun. Use les before a plural noun when referring to a known group or set, such as when discussing several forecast details.
prévisions Prévisions means “forecast” in “Les prévisions annoncent”. It is the plural form of prévision and refers here to the weather forecast. Use it when reporting expected weather or other predictions.
annoncent Annoncent means “announce” or “say” in “Les prévisions annoncent que”. It introduces the information reported by the forecast. Use the pattern “X annonce que” to state what a source or notice says, especially in a report or update.
que Que means “that” in “annoncent que les vents forts continueront”. It introduces the clause containing what the forecast says. Use que after a reporting verb to connect it to the reported information.
vents Vents means “winds” in “les vents forts”. It names the moving air expected during the event. Use it with a describing word such as forts when discussing wind conditions.
forts Forts means “strong” in “les vents forts” and describes the winds. Its plural form matches vents. Use it to describe wind that may affect an outdoor activity or arrangement.
continueront Continueront means “will continue” in “les vents forts continueront”. It presents the strong winds as expected to carry on during the event. This is a future form of continuer; use it when predicting that something will keep happening.
pendant Pendant means “during” in “pendant l'événement extérieur”. It places the expected winds within the time of the event. Use pendant before an event or period to say when something happens.
l'événement L'événement means “the event” in “pendant l'événement extérieur”. The l' is the definite article before événement. Use it when referring to a particular event already being discussed.
extérieur Extérieur means “outdoor” in “l'événement extérieur” and describes the event as taking place outside. Use it with an event or activity when distinguishing an outside setting from an indoor one.
Cela Cela means “that” or “it” in “Cela pourrait poser problème” and refers to the strong winds just mentioned. It lets the speaker evaluate a previously stated situation as a whole. Use cela as a neutral subject when reacting to an earlier fact or event.
pourrait Pourrait means “could” or “might” in “Cela pourrait poser problème”. It presents a possible consequence rather than a certain one. This is a conditional form of pouvoir; use “X pourrait + infinitive” to describe a possible action or result.
poser Poser contributes the idea of “cause” or “create” in “poser problème”. Together, poser problème means “pose a problem”; poser is the infinitive after pourrait. Use the infinitive after a form such as pourrait when describing a possible effect.
problème Problème means “problem” in “poser problème” and names the difficulty that the tents and equipment may create. Together with poser, it forms the expression “poser problème”. Use this expression when something may cause difficulty.
avec Avec means “with” in “avec les tentes et le matériel sonore”. It links the possible problem to the items involved. Use avec before people or things connected with a situation or difficulty.
tentes Tentes means “tents” in “les tentes”. It names the plural tents that may be affected by the wind. Use it when discussing several tents or equipment used at an outdoor event.
et Et means “and” in “les tentes et le matériel sonore”. It joins the tents with the sound equipment as two related items. Use et to link items in a list or connect related ideas.
le Le means “the” in “le matériel sonore” and introduces the singular noun matériel. It is the definite article used here before this noun. Use le before a particular singular masculine noun.
matériel Matériel means “equipment” in “le matériel sonore”. It refers to the equipment used for sound at the event. Use matériel with a describing word when specifying the type of equipment involved.
sonore Sonore means “sound-related” in “le matériel sonore” and specifies the kind of matériel. It identifies equipment connected with sound. Use it to describe sound equipment in an event or technical setting.
Nous Nous means “we” in “Nous pouvons fixer les tables”. It is the subject representing the speakers or their group. Use nous when the speaker includes themselves and at least one other person in an action.
pouvons Pouvons means “can” in “Nous pouvons fixer les tables”. It expresses that the group is able or permitted to secure the tables. This is a present form of pouvoir; use “nous pouvons + infinitive” to state what the group can do.
fixer Fixer means “secure” or “fasten” in “fixer les tables”. It names the action that the speakers can carry out on the tables. Use fixer + an object when making something stay firmly in place.
tables Tables means “tables” in “fixer les tables”. It is the object being secured against the strong wind. Use it after a verb when referring to several tables or similar event furniture.
mais Mais means “but” in “mais installer la banderole pourrait être dangereux”. It contrasts securing the tables with the danger of putting up the banner. Use mais to connect two ideas that differ or pull in opposite directions.
installer Installer means “install” or “set up” in “installer la banderole”. Here it names the action of putting up the banner. Use installer + an object when preparing equipment, a sign, or another item for use.
la La means “the” in “la banderole” and introduces the singular noun banderole. It is the definite article used here before this noun. Use la before a particular singular feminine noun.
banderole Banderole means “banner” in “installer la banderole”. It is the item that may be dangerous to put up in the strong wind. Use it with installer when talking about setting up a banner for an event.
être Être means “be” in “pourrait être dangereux”. Together with dangereux, it describes the possible safety of installing the banner. Use “pourrait être + adjective” to evaluate a possible situation.
dangereux Dangereux means “dangerous” in “installer la banderole pourrait être dangereux”. It warns that putting up the banner may create a safety risk. Use it with être to describe an action or situation as unsafe.
sécurité Sécurité means “safety” in “La sécurité est plus importante”. It names the concern being given priority over keeping the original setup. Use sécurité when discussing whether an action or arrangement is safe.
est Est means “is” in “La sécurité est plus importante”. It links sécurité with the description plus importante. This is a present form of être; use it to state what a singular subject is like or how it ranks.
plus Plus means “more” in “plus importante que”. Together with importante and que, it forms a comparison showing greater importance. Use “plus + adjective + que” to compare two priorities or situations.
importante Importante means “important” in “La sécurité est plus importante que”. It describes sécurité as having greater priority than keeping the planned setup. Use it in a comparison when one concern matters more than another.
maintien Maintien means “keeping” or “maintaining” in “le maintien de l'installation prévue”. It refers to preserving the planned setup. Use “le maintien de” to name something that is being kept or preserved.
de De means “of” in “le maintien de l'installation prévue”. It links maintien to the setup that is being maintained. Use de to connect a noun with the person, thing, or arrangement it concerns.
l'installation L'installation means “the setup” or “the installation” in “l'installation prévue”. The l' is the definite article before installation. Here it refers to the arrangement already planned for the event; use it when discussing a particular setup.
prévue Prévue means “planned” in “l'installation prévue” and describes the setup as the one that had been planned. It is the feminine form related to prévoir, matching installation. Use a noun followed by prévue to identify an arrangement that was planned.
Devrait-on Devrait-on means “should we” or “should one” in “Devrait-on annuler”. It asks for a decision or recommendation about the event. This is a question form built from devoir and on; use it before an infinitive when asking what should be done.
annuler Annuler means “cancel” in “Devrait-on annuler”. It names one of the proposed actions for the event. Use it after a form such as devrait-on when asking whether an event or plan should be cancelled.
ou Ou means “or” in “annuler ou tout déplacer”. It connects the two alternatives under consideration. Use ou when offering a choice between actions, plans, or possibilities.
tout Tout means “everything” in “tout déplacer”. It refers to all the relevant event items and arrangements rather than just one of them. Use tout with a verb when the action applies to the whole set of things being discussed.
déplacer Déplacer means “move” in “tout déplacer à la salle municipale”. It names the action of relocating everything to another place. Use déplacer + an object + à + a destination when describing where something is being moved.
à À means “to” in “à la salle municipale”. It marks the destination of the move. Use à before a destination when saying where someone or something is going or being moved.
salle Salle means “hall” or “room” in “la salle municipale”. It refers here to the indoor venue that could host the event. Use it with a describing word to identify a particular room or hall.
municipale Municipale means “municipal” or “community” in “la salle municipale”. It specifies the type of salle being considered as the alternative venue. Its form matches the feminine noun salle; use it to describe a place connected with the municipality.
l'intérieur L'intérieur means “indoors” or “inside” in “à l'intérieur”. Together, à l'intérieur indicates movement to an indoor location. Use “à l'intérieur” when describing a destination or change from outside to inside.
préférable Préférable means “preferable” or “better” in “Tout déplacer à l'intérieur est préférable”. It evaluates moving indoors as the better choice under the stated condition. Use être préférable when recommending one option over another.
si Si means “if” in “si la salle est disponible”. It introduces the condition that the hall must be available. Use si before a clause to state a condition for a plan or decision.
disponible Disponible means “available” in “si la salle est disponible”. It says that the hall can be used for the event. Use être disponible when checking whether a place, person, or resource can be used.
Je Je means “I” in “Je peux appeler”. It is the subject of the speaker’s proposed action. Use je before a singular verb when describing what the speaker can do or intends to do.
peux Peux means “can” in “Je peux appeler l'organisateur”. It expresses the speaker’s ability or willingness to make the call. This is a present form of pouvoir; use “je peux + infinitive” to offer or state an action the speaker can take.
appeler Appeler means “call” in “appeler l'organisateur”. It names the action of contacting the organizer by phone. Use appeler + a person when saying whom you will contact.
l'organisateur L'organisateur means “the organizer” in “appeler l'organisateur”. The l' is the definite article before organisateur. Here it refers to the person responsible for the event; use it when contacting a known event organizer.
lui Lui means “to him” or “to her” in “lui demander si”. It identifies the organizer as the person who will be asked. Use “lui demander si” when asking someone whether something is possible or true.
demander Demander means “ask” in “lui demander si l'option en intérieur est possible”. Together with lui, it means asking that person about the indoor option. Use demander si to ask whether a situation or option is possible.
l'option L'option means “the option” in “l'option en intérieur”. The l' is the definite article before option. Here it refers to the specific choice of holding the event indoors; use it when discussing a known alternative.
en En means “in” in “en intérieur”. Together with intérieur, it describes an indoor setting or option. Use “en intérieur” when identifying an activity or arrangement as taking place indoors.
intérieur Intérieur means “indoor” or “inside” in “l'option en intérieur”. Together with en, it specifies that the option concerns an indoor setting. Use “en intérieur” when contrasting an indoor arrangement with an outdoor one.
possible Possible means “possible” in “l'option en intérieur est possible”. It states that the indoor option can be carried out if the hall is available. Use être possible when checking whether a plan or choice can happen.
Préviens Préviens means “tell” or “warn” in “Préviens aussi les participants”. It is a direct instruction to notify the participants. This is an imperative form related to prévenir; use it when giving someone a direct reminder or instruction.
aussi Aussi means “also” or “too” in “Préviens aussi les participants”. It adds notifying the participants to the other actions being considered. Use aussi to add another required action or piece of information.
participants Participants means “participants” in “les participants”. It names the people taking part in the event who need to be informed. Use it after a verb such as Préviens when identifying the people who should receive an update.
avant Avant means “before” in “avant qu'ils ne commencent”. It places the notification earlier than the participants’ departure. Use “avant que + clause” to say that one action should happen before another.
qu'ils Qu'ils means “that they” in “avant qu'ils ne commencent”. It introduces the clause whose subject is the participants. It combines que with ils; use it after a linking expression such as avant que to introduce what they will do.
ne Ne in “avant qu'ils ne commencent” does not make the clause negative here. It is the ne used in this before-clause construction, appearing before commencent. Use the pattern “avant que ... ne ...” when describing an action that must happen earlier.
commencent Commencent means “start” or “begin” in “qu'ils ne commencent à se déplacer”. It describes the participants beginning their travel. This form is used after avant que; use it when stating that an activity is beginning.
se Se is the reflexive pronoun in “se déplacer”, referring the action back to the participants. Together, se déplacer means that they move or travel themselves. Use se before a reflexive verb when the subject carries out the action on itself.
changements Changements means “changes” in “Les changements de dernière minute”. It refers to alterations made shortly before the event. It is the plural form of changement; use it when discussing several changes to a schedule or arrangement.
dernière Dernière contributes the meaning “last” in “de dernière minute”. Together with minute, the expression means “last-minute”. Use “de dernière minute” for a change made very shortly before an event or deadline.
minute Minute means “minute” in “de dernière minute”. Together with dernière, it forms the expression “de dernière minute”, describing the timing of the changes. Use this expression when emphasizing that something happened very late.
sont Sont means “are” in “Les changements de dernière minute sont frustrants”. It links the plural subject changements with the description frustrants. This is a plural present form of être; use it to describe several things or people.
frustrants Frustrants means “frustrating” in “Les changements de dernière minute sont frustrants”. It describes how the late changes affect the people managing the event. Its plural form matches changements; use it when acknowledging that an action or situation causes frustration.
conditions Conditions means “conditions” in “les conditions dangereuses”. It refers to the circumstances created by the dangerous weather. Use it with a describing word when evaluating the safety or quality of circumstances.
dangereuses Dangereuses means “dangerous” in “les conditions dangereuses”. It describes the conditions as unsafe. Its feminine plural form matches conditions; use the expression “conditions dangereuses” when warning about unsafe circumstances.
pires Pires means “worse” in “les conditions dangereuses sont pires”. It says that the dangerous conditions are more serious than the frustrating late changes. Its plural form matches conditions; use être pire(s) when judging one situation as worse than another.
Une Une means “a” or “one” in “Une communication claire”. It introduces communication as a singular feminine noun in a general statement. Use une before a singular feminine noun when introducing one example or an unspecified instance.
communication Communication means “communication” in “Une communication claire”. It names the sharing of information needed when the plan changes. Use it with claire when referring to understandable updates between event organizers and participants.
claire Claire means “clear” in “Une communication claire”. It describes communication that is easy to understand. Its feminine singular form matches communication; use it to describe an update or message that avoids confusion.
quand Quand means “when” in “quand la météo change le programme”. It introduces the situation in which clear communication matters. Use quand + a clause to connect a response with the time or circumstance that triggers it.
météo Météo means “weather” in “la météo change le programme”. It is the subject causing the plan to change. Use it when discussing weather as a factor affecting an event or activity.
change Change means “changes” in “la météo change le programme”. It describes the weather altering the event plan. This is a present form related to changer; use “la météo change...” to state that weather affects a planned arrangement.
programme Programme means “plan” or “program” in “la météo change le programme”. In this dialogue, it refers to the planned arrangements for the event. Use “changer le programme” when saying that circumstances require a plan to be altered.

Grammar Points

Le futur simple : infinitif + -ont

Les vents forts continueront.

lay vahn FOR kon-tee-new-ROHN

The strong winds will continue.

Le futur simple exprime une action prévue ou future. À la troisième personne du pluriel, la terminaison est « -ont ».

L’impératif affirmatif

Préviens les participants.

pray-VYAN lay par-tee-see-PAHN

Tell the participants.

L’impératif sert à donner un ordre ou un conseil. Avec « tu », le pronom sujet est généralement omis.

French Vocabulary

annoncer verb
ah-NON-SAY to announce annoncent
continuer verb
kon-tee-new-AY to continue continueront
événement noun
ay-vay-nuh-MAHN event l'événement
extérieur adj
ex-tay-ree-UR outdoor
fixer verb
feek-SAY to secure
fort adj
for strong forts
matériel noun
mah-tay-ree-EL equipment
poser problème phrase
poh-ZAY proh-BLEM to cause a problem
prévision noun
pray-vee-ZYON forecast prévisions
sonore adj
soh-NOR sound-related
tente noun
TAHNT tent tentes
vent noun
vahn wind vents

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

forecast

Show Answerprévisions

wind

Show Answervents

outdoor

Show Answerextérieur

to announce

Show Answerannoncent