Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visit | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: At home, a tenant asks building staff to verify an unexpected maintenance visitor before allowing anyone inside..

EN → FR / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visit to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Quelqu’un a frappé plus tôt et a dit qu’il était là pour inspecter la ventilation.

kel-KUN ah frah-PAY ploo TOH ay ah DEE keel ay-TAY lah poor an-spehk-TAY lah vahn-tee-lah-SYON Someone knocked earlier and said they were here to inspect the ventilation.
B

Les visites de maintenance sont généralement annoncées par le système de l’immeuble.

lay vee-ZEET duh meh-tuh-NAHNS sohn zhay-nay-rah-luh-MAHN ah-nohn-SAY pah luh SEES-tem duh lee-MUHBL Maintenance visits are usually announced through the building system.
A

Cela m’a rendu prudent, alors je n’ai pas laissé cette personne entrer.

suh-LAH mah rahn-DOO proo-DAHN, ah-LOHR zhuh nay pah lay-SAY set pair-SON ahn-TRAY That made me cautious, so I did not let them in.
B

C’était la bonne décision. Il faut d’abord vérifier son autorisation d’entrer.

say-TAY lah BUN day-see-ZYON. eel FOH dah-BOHR vay-ree-FYAY sohn oh-toh-ree-zah-SYON dahn-TRAY That was the right call. Their authorization to enter should be verified first.
A

Pourriez-vous vérifier si une inspection est bien prévue ?

poo-ree-AY VOO vay-ree-FYAY see yoon ehn-spehk-SYON ay BYEHN pray-VYOO Could you check whether an inspection is actually scheduled?
B

Je vais vérifier les dossiers et vous envoyer un message par le portail.

zhuh VAY vay-ree-FYAY lay doh-SYAY ay voo-zahn-vwah-YAY uhn meh-SAHZH pahr luh por-TAIL I will check the records and send you a message through the portal.
A

Je préférerais le savoir avant que quelqu’un ne revienne.

zhuh pray-fay-ruh-RAY luh sah-VWAHR ah-VAHN kuh kel-KUN nuh ruh-VYENN I would rather know before anyone comes back.
B

Tant que ce ne sera pas confirmé, ne laissez entrer personne, sauf si vous attendiez cette personne.

tahn kuh suh nuh suh-RAH pah kohn-feer-MAY, nuh lay-SAY ahn-TRAY pair-SON, sohf see voo-zah-tahn-DYAY set pair-SON Until it is confirmed, do not let anyone in unless you were expecting them.

Word by Word

Quelqu’un “Quelqu’un” means someone in “Quelqu’un a frappé”, referring to an unidentified person. A common pattern is “quelqu’un + verb” when the person is unknown, such as when reporting an unexpected visitor.
a In “a frappé”, “a” is the auxiliary used with the past participle to report a completed action: someone knocked. A common pattern is “subject + a + past participle” when describing a completed past event.
frappé “Frappé” means knocked in “a frappé”, describing the visitor’s action at the door. A common pattern is “frapper à la porte” when reporting that someone knocked, for example to a resident or building staff member.
plus In “plus tôt”, “plus” helps form the time expression meaning earlier. Keep it together with “tôt” when locating an event earlier in the day or conversation.
tôt In “plus tôt”, “tôt” contributes the meaning early, giving the whole expression the meaning earlier. “Plus tôt” is useful when saying that something happened before the current moment.
et “Et” means and and links the two reported actions in “a frappé plus tôt et a dit”. A common pattern is “action 1 et action 2” when connecting related events in one account.
dit “Dit” means said in “a dit qu’il était là”, reporting the visitor’s words. A common pattern is “a dit qu’il…” after a verb of saying when introducing reported information.
qu’il “Qu’il” introduces the content of what the visitor said in “a dit qu’il était là”; it combines “que” with “il”. Use this form after a reporting verb when the following clause has “il” as its subject.
était “Était” means was in “qu’il était là”, describing the visitor’s location or situation at that time. It is used here after “a dit qu’il” to report a state rather than a separate action.
là “Là” means there or here in “était là pour inspecter”, referring to the place where the visitor was present. A common pattern is “être là pour + infinitive” when explaining why someone is present.
pour In “pour inspecter”, “pour” introduces the purpose of the visit: to inspect. A common pattern is “pour + infinitive” when stating what an action or visit is intended to accomplish.
inspecter “Inspecter” means to inspect in “pour inspecter la ventilation”, stating the visitor’s claimed purpose. Use “pour inspecter + object” when describing an inspection purpose, especially in a maintenance context.
la “La” is the definite article before “ventilation” in “la ventilation”, referring to the specific ventilation system being inspected. Use it before a specific singular noun when the listener can identify the thing meant.
ventilation “Ventilation” refers to the building’s ventilation system in “inspecter la ventilation”. It is useful when discussing building maintenance, inspections, or a problem with air circulation.
Les “Les” means the and marks the plural noun “visites” in “Les visites de maintenance”. Use it before a plural noun when referring to a known category or set of things.
visites “Visites” means visits in “Les visites de maintenance”, referring to maintenance appointments or visits generally. A common pattern is “visites de + activity or service” when describing the purpose of visits.
de In “visites de maintenance”, “de” links the visits to their purpose or type, giving the meaning maintenance visits. A common pattern is “noun + de + noun” when one noun specifies the kind or subject of another.
maintenance “Maintenance” identifies the type of visits in “visites de maintenance”. Use it when discussing building repairs, inspections, or other work carried out to keep a property functioning.
sont In “sont généralement annoncées”, “sont” means are and helps form the statement that the visits are announced. It is used with “annoncées” to describe what happens to the visits.
généralement “Généralement” means usually or generally and shows that the announcement practice is normal rather than guaranteed every time. It commonly modifies a verb or verbal group to indicate usual frequency.
annoncées “Annoncées” means announced in “sont généralement annoncées”, describing information given about the visits in advance. It agrees with the plural visits in this passive construction and is useful when explaining how appointments are communicated.
par In “par le système de l’immeuble”, “par” means through or by and identifies the channel used for the announcements. A common pattern is “par + communication channel” when stating how information is sent.
le “Le” is the definite article before “système” in “le système de l’immeuble”, referring to the specific building system. Use it before a specific singular noun when the thing is identifiable in context.
système “Système” means system in “le système de l’immeuble”, referring to the building’s communication system. It is useful when discussing the formal channel through which notices are announced.
l’immeuble “L’immeuble” means the building in “le système de l’immeuble”. The form uses “l’” before the vowel sound, and “de l’immeuble” is a common way to identify something belonging to or associated with the building.
Cela “Cela” means that or it and refers to the unexpected visit and what the visitor said in “Cela m’a rendu prudent”. A common pattern is “Cela + verb” when reacting to a situation just mentioned.
m’a In “m’a rendu prudent”, “m’a” means made me: “m’” refers to the speaker and “a” works with “rendu”. The construction shows that an event caused a change in the speaker’s state.
rendu “Rendu” contributes the meaning made in “m’a rendu prudent”, describing the result of the earlier event. A common pattern is “rendre quelqu’un + adjective” when saying that something causes a person to become a certain way.
prudent “Prudent” means cautious in “m’a rendu prudent”, describing the speaker’s careful response. Use it when someone decides to act carefully because a situation may not be safe or reliable.
alors “Alors” means so in “alors je n’ai pas laissé…”, introducing the consequence of becoming cautious. A common pattern is “reason, alors result” when linking a decision to its cause.
je “Je” means I and is the subject in “je n’ai pas laissé cette personne entrer”. Use it as the subject when describing the speaker’s own action, decision, or reaction.
n’ai In “n’ai pas laissé”, “n’ai” begins the negative construction around the auxiliary, giving the meaning did not allow. The “ne … pas” structure surrounds the conjugated verb or auxiliary in a negative statement.
pas “Pas” completes the negation in “n’ai pas laissé”, so the speaker says that they did not allow the person to enter. A common pattern is “ne … pas” around the conjugated verb or auxiliary.
laissé In “n’ai pas laissé cette personne entrer”, “laissé” means allowed or let. A common pattern is “laisser + person + infinitive” when saying that someone allows another person to do something.
cette “Cette” means this or that and identifies “personne” as a specific feminine singular person in “cette personne”. Use it before a singular noun when pointing to or referring back to a particular person or thing.
personne In “cette personne”, “personne” means person and identifies the visitor. In “ne laissez entrer personne”, the same form means anyone or no one within the negative expression, so context determines its function.
entrer “Entrer” means to enter in “laissé cette personne entrer”. A common pattern is “laisser + person + entrer” when deciding whether someone may come inside.
C’était “C’était” means that was or it was in “C’était la bonne décision”, evaluating the earlier choice. A common pattern is “C’était + noun phrase” when commenting on a past situation or decision.
bonne “Bonne” means good or right in “la bonne décision”, describing the decision as appropriate. It agrees with “décision” in this expression, which is useful when evaluating whether a choice was sensible.
décision “Décision” means decision in “la bonne décision”, referring to the choice not to let the visitor inside. Use it when discussing or evaluating a choice made in response to a situation.
Il In “Il faut d’abord vérifier”, “Il” belongs to an impersonal expression rather than referring to a particular person. The pattern “Il faut + infinitive” expresses that an action is necessary.
faut In “Il faut d’abord vérifier”, “faut” expresses necessity: it is necessary to verify first. Use the common pattern “Il faut + infinitive” for instructions or requirements.
d’abord “D’abord” means first and marks the required order in “Il faut d’abord vérifier”. A common pattern is “d’abord + infinitive” when stating the first step in a process.
vérifier “Vérifier” means check or verify in “vérifier son autorisation”, and it also appears in “vérifier si une inspection est bien prévue”. Use “vérifier + noun” to check a thing and “vérifier si + clause” to check whether something is true.
son “Son” identifies the authorization as belonging to the visitor in “son autorisation d’entrer”; in English, the person may be referred to as his, her, or their. A common pattern is “son + noun” when identifying one person’s associated thing.
autorisation “Autorisation” means authorization or permission in “son autorisation d’entrer”. Use it when referring to official permission required before someone may enter a building or carry out work.
d’entrer “D’entrer” means to enter in “son autorisation d’entrer”; it is “de” before the infinitive “entrer”. A common pattern is “autorisation de + infinitive” when naming the action that permission covers.
Pourriez-vous “Pourriez-vous” means could you and forms a polite request in “Pourriez-vous vérifier…”. A common pattern is “Pourriez-vous + infinitive ?” when asking someone respectfully to carry out a task.
si In “vérifier si une inspection est bien prévue”, “si” means whether and introduces the question being checked. Use “vérifier si + clause” when asking whether a situation is true.
une “Une” means a or an before “inspection” in “une inspection”. It introduces one unspecified inspection and agrees with the singular noun used here.
inspection “Inspection” means inspection in “une inspection est bien prévue”, referring to the planned maintenance check. Use it when discussing an official examination of equipment, a building, or a system.
est In “est bien prévue”, “est” means is and combines with “prévue” to say that the inspection is scheduled. This form is useful in statements about the status or arrangement of an event.
bien In “est bien prévue”, “bien” means actually or indeed, emphasizing that the inspection is genuinely scheduled. It commonly appears before the relevant descriptive or verbal element when confirming information.
prévue “Prévue” means scheduled or planned in “une inspection est bien prévue”. It describes the inspection as an event that has been arranged, so “est prévue” is useful when confirming an appointment.
vais In “Je vais vérifier”, “vais” contributes the meaning am going to and expresses the speaker’s immediate intention to check. A common pattern is “aller + infinitive” for an intended or near-future action.
dossiers “Dossiers” means records or files in “vérifier les dossiers”, referring to the information held by building staff. Use it when checking stored administrative or maintenance information.
vous “Vous” means you in “vous envoyer un message”, referring respectfully to the tenant or to more than one person. It appears before the infinitive as the person receiving the message.
envoyer “Envoyer” means send in “vous envoyer un message”, describing the promised action of sending information. A common pattern is “envoyer quelque chose à quelqu’un”, with the thing sent and its recipient.
un “Un” means a or an before “message” in “un message”. It introduces one unspecified message as the item that will be sent.
message “Message” means message in “vous envoyer un message”, referring to the written information staff will send through the portal. Use it for a communication sent to update or inform someone.
portail “Portail” means portal in “par le portail”, referring to the building’s online communication platform. A common pattern is “par le portail” when identifying that platform as the channel used to send information.
préférerais “Préférerais” means would rather prefer in “Je préférerais le savoir”, expressing the speaker’s preference politely. A common pattern is “Je préférerais + infinitive” when stating what the speaker would prefer to do or know.
savoir “Savoir” means know in “Je préférerais le savoir”, referring to knowing whether the visit is genuine before anyone returns. Use “le savoir” when the information has already been identified from context.
avant “Avant” means before and introduces the time condition in “avant que quelqu’un ne revienne”. A common pattern is “avant que + clause” when one event must happen earlier than another.
que In “avant que quelqu’un ne revienne”, “que” introduces the subordinate clause describing the later event. Here it works with “avant” as “avant que”, meaning before someone comes back.
ne In “avant que quelqu’un ne revienne”, “ne” is used in the subordinate clause after “avant que” and does not make the clause negative here. This form commonly appears in the pattern “avant que + subject + ne + verb”.
revienne “Revienne” means comes back or returns in “quelqu’un ne revienne”, referring to the visitor returning. Use it after “avant que” when describing an event that should occur later.
Tant “Tant” contributes to the meaning until in the complete expression “Tant que ce ne sera pas confirmé”. Do not use it alone for this meaning; keep it with “que” when setting a condition that remains in force.
ce In “ce ne sera pas confirmé”, “ce” means it and refers to the matter awaiting confirmation. It serves as the subject of the passive statement about whether the visit has been confirmed.
sera In “ce ne sera pas confirmé”, “sera” means will be and places the confirmation in the future. A common pattern is “sera + past participle” when describing a future result or status.
confirmé “Confirmé” means confirmed in “ce ne sera pas confirmé”, referring to the visit or arrangement being officially verified. The phrase “sera confirmé” is useful when stating that confirmation will happen later.
laissez “Laissez” means let or allow in the negative instruction “ne laissez entrer personne”. It is used with an infinitive to tell someone not to allow a person to enter.
sauf In “sauf si vous attendiez cette personne”, “sauf” introduces an exception and means except or unless. A common pattern is “sauf si + clause” when stating the one condition that changes an instruction.
attendiez “Attendiez” means were expecting in “si vous attendiez cette personne”, referring to a visitor whom the tenant already expected. A common pattern is “attendre quelqu’un” when saying that a person was expected or awaited.

Grammar Points

Je préférerais + infinitif

Je préférerais vérifier les dossiers.

zhuh pray-fay-ruh-RAY vay-ree-FYAY lay doh-SYAY

I would rather check the files.

The conditional form préférerais expresses a polite preference or what someone would rather do.

visites annoncées

Les visites annoncées sont prévues.

lay vee-ZEET ah-nohn-SAY sohn pray-VYOO

The announced visits are scheduled.

The past participle used as an adjective agrees with the feminine plural noun: annoncées.

French Vocabulary

annoncer verb
ah-nohn-SAY to announce annoncées
frapper verb
frah-PAY to knock frappé
immeuble noun
ee-MUHBL building
inspecter verb
an-spehk-TAY to inspect
laisser entrer phrase
lay-SAY ahn-TRAY to let in laissé entrer
maintenance noun
meh-tuh-NAHNS maintenance
plus tôt adv
ploo TOH earlier
prudent adj
proo-DAHN cautious
quelqu’un pron
kel-KUN someone
système noun
SEES-tem system
ventilation noun
vahn-tee-lah-SYON ventilation
visite noun
vee-ZEET visit visites

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to announce

Show Answerannoncées

system

Show Answersystème

to inspect

Show Answerinspecter

maintenance

Show Answermaintenance