Clarifying repair responsibility | Learn French in English

French lesson set in a contemporary Paris everyday setting: In a housing office discussion, a tenant asks whether a gradually loosened fixture is routine maintenance and how to document the repair request..

EN → FR / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying repair responsibility to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Je ne sais pas si cette réparation relève de ma responsabilité.

zhuh nuh say pah see set reh-pah-rah-SYOHN ruh-LEHV duh mah reh-spohn-sah-bee-lee-TAY I am unsure whether this repair is my responsibility.
B

Cela dépend de la cause des dégâts : sont-ils dus à un usage normal ?

suh-LAH day-PAHN duh lah kohz day day-GAH: sohn-TEEL dewz ah uhn ew-ZAHZH nor-MAHL? It depends on whether the damage came from normal use.
A

La fixation s'est progressivement desserrée, sans aucune force inhabituelle.

lah feek-sah-SYOHN say proh-gray-see-vuh-MAHN day-say-RAY, sahn-zoh-KOON forss ee-nah-bee-twee-EL The fixture loosened gradually, without any unusual force.
B

Alors, cela peut relever de l'entretien courant.

ah-LOR, suh-LAH puh ruh-LEHV duh lahn-truh-TYAN koo-RAHN Then it may fall under routine maintenance.
A

Je préférerais que l'évaluation soit consignée par écrit.

zhuh pray-fay-ruh-RAY kuh lay-vah-lyoo-ah-SYOHN swah kohn-see-NYAY pahr ay-KREE I would prefer the assessment to be documented.
B

Cela me paraît logique, puisque la responsabilité devrait dépendre de la cause.

suh-LAH muh pah-RAY loh-ZHEEK, pweesk lah reh-spohn-sah-bee-lee-TAY duh-VRAY day-PAHN-druh duh lah kohz That makes sense, since responsibility should be based on the cause.
A

Je peux envoyer des photos avec ma demande d'intervention.

zhuh puh ahn-vwah-YAY day foh-TOH ah-VEK mah duh-MAHND dahn-tair-vahn-SYOHN I can send photos with the maintenance request.
B

Veuillez les joindre et décrire comment le problème s'est développé.

vuh-YAY lay zhwan-druh ay day-KREER koh-MAHN luh proh-BLEHM say day-vuh-loh-PAY Please attach them and describe how the problem developed.

Word by Word

Je “Je” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Je ne sais pas”. It is used before a verb to state the speaker’s own knowledge, opinion, or action. Reusable pattern: “Je peux envoyer…” expresses something the speaker can do.
ne In “Je ne sais pas”, “ne” is the first part of the French negative structure around “sais”. It works together with “pas” to express that the speaker does not know. Reusable pattern: place “ne” before the conjugated verb and “pas” after it.
sais “Sais” in “Je ne sais pas” means “know”, specifically knowing or being certain about something. It is used with “si” to introduce uncertainty about whether something is true. Reusable pattern: “Je ne sais pas si…” means “I do not know whether…”.
pas “Pas” completes the negation in “Je ne sais pas”, giving the meaning “do not know”. Its negative meaning here comes from the pair “ne … pas”, not from “pas” alone. Reusable pattern: “ne” comes before the verb and “pas” after it.
si “Si” in “Je ne sais pas si cette réparation…” introduces the question of whether the repair is the speaker’s responsibility. It connects uncertainty with a following clause. Reusable pattern: “Je ne sais pas si…” is used when the speaker is unsure whether something is the case.
cette “Cette” means “this” in “cette réparation”, pointing to the specific repair being discussed. It comes directly before the singular noun it describes. Reusable pattern: use “cette” before a singular feminine noun when referring to a particular item.
réparation “Réparation” means “repair” in “cette réparation”, referring to the work needed for the fixture. It is the subject of the question about responsibility. Reusable pattern: “une demande de réparation” can refer to a repair request in a new example.
relève “Relève” in “relève de ma responsabilité” means “falls under” or “comes under” a responsibility or area of authority. The full construction “relève de” indicates which person or category is responsible. Reusable pattern: “Cela relève de…” introduces the person, service, or responsibility concerned.
de In “relève de ma responsabilité”, “de” links what falls under responsibility with the responsibility itself. It is part of the fixed construction “relever de”. Reusable pattern: use “relève de” before the relevant responsibility, service, or category.
ma “Ma” means “my” in “ma responsabilité”, marking responsibility as belonging to the speaker. It comes before the singular noun “responsabilité”. Reusable pattern: use “ma” before a singular feminine noun referring to something belonging to the speaker.
responsabilité “Responsabilité” means “responsibility” in “ma responsabilité”, specifically responsibility for the repair. It is the noun that identifies who should handle or pay for the matter. Reusable pattern: “la responsabilité de…” can identify responsibility for a cause or action.
Cela “Cela” means “that” or “it” in “Cela dépend de la cause des dégâts”, referring to the responsibility question or situation already under discussion. It commonly introduces an assessment of a situation. Reusable pattern: “Cela dépend de…” means “That depends on…”.
dépend “Dépend” means “depends” in “Cela dépend de la cause des dégâts”. It shows that the answer is determined by another factor. Reusable pattern: “Cela dépend de…” is followed by the factor on which the matter depends.
la “La” means “the” in “la cause des dégâts”, identifying a specific cause being considered. It comes before the singular noun “cause”. Reusable pattern: use “la” before a singular feminine noun when referring to a specific item.
cause “Cause” means “cause” in “la cause des dégâts”, referring to what produced the damage. It identifies the factor that determines responsibility. Reusable pattern: “la cause de…” introduces what caused a problem or result.
des In “la cause des dégâts”, “des” means “of the” and links the cause to the damage. It is the contracted form of “de” with “les” in this plural noun phrase. Reusable pattern: use “la cause des…” before a plural noun describing what was caused.
dégâts “Dégâts” means “damage” in “la cause des dégâts”, referring to the harm or deterioration being assessed. It is the thing whose cause is under discussion. Reusable pattern: “des dégâts” is used to describe damage caused to a place, object, or property.
sont-ils “Sont-ils” means “are they” in the question “sont-ils dus à un usage normal ?”. It uses inversion to form a direct question, with “ils” referring to “les dégâts”. Reusable pattern: this question structure places the verb before the subject pronoun.
dus “Dus” in “sont-ils dus à un usage normal ?” means “caused by” or “due to”. It connects the damage with its possible cause, “un usage normal”. Reusable pattern: “être dû à…” is used to identify the cause of a problem or result.
un “Un” means “a” in “un usage normal”, introducing one type or instance of use. It comes before the singular noun “usage”. Reusable pattern: use “un” before a singular masculine noun when referring to one non-specific item or type.
usage “Usage” means “use” in “un usage normal”, referring to the way the fixture was used. Together with “normal”, it describes ordinary use as a possible cause. Reusable pattern: “un usage…” can be followed by an adjective specifying the type of use.
normal “Normal” means “normal” or “ordinary” in “un usage normal”. It describes use that is not presented as unusual in the dialogue. Reusable pattern: an adjective can follow “usage” to specify whether the use was normal or another documented kind.
fixation “Fixation” means “fixture” or “fastening” in “La fixation s’est progressivement desserrée”, referring to the attached object or fitting that became loose. It is the thing whose condition changed. Reusable pattern: “la fixation” can be used when describing the state or repair of an attached fitting.
s'est “S’est” is part of “s’est progressivement desserrée”, expressing that the fixture became loosened over time. It combines the reflexive pronoun with the auxiliary used in this completed event. Reusable pattern: keep “s’est” with the following participle when describing a subject that has changed state.
progressivement “Progressivement” means “gradually” in “s’est progressivement desserrée”, showing that the fixture loosened little by little rather than suddenly. It describes how the change developed. Reusable pattern: place “progressivement” near the verb to describe a gradual change.
desserrée “Desserrée” means “loosened” in “La fixation s’est progressivement desserrée”, describing the fixture’s resulting state. The form is used with the feminine noun “fixation” in this sentence. Reusable pattern: “s’est desserrée” describes a feminine subject that has become loose.
sans “Sans” means “without” in “sans aucune force inhabituelle”. It introduces something that was absent from the situation. Reusable pattern: “sans” is followed by the thing that was not used, present, or involved.
aucune “Aucune” means “any” in the negative expression “sans aucune force inhabituelle”, emphasizing that no unusual force was involved. It comes before the feminine noun “force”. Reusable pattern: “sans aucune…” strongly indicates the absence of any instance of a feminine noun.
force “Force” means “force” in “sans aucune force inhabituelle”, referring to physical force applied to the fixture. It is the thing explicitly said not to have been unusual. Reusable pattern: “force” can be specified by an adjective describing its intensity or character.
inhabituelle “Inhabituelle” means “unusual” in “sans aucune force inhabituelle”. It describes the force as outside what would normally be expected. Reusable pattern: “inhabituelle” follows a feminine noun such as “force” to describe something not ordinary.
Alors “Alors” means “then” in “Alors, cela peut relever de l’entretien courant”. It marks the conclusion drawn from the gradual loosening and lack of unusual force. Reusable pattern: use “Alors” at the start of a sentence to introduce a consequence or conclusion.
peut “Peut” means “may” or “can” in “cela peut relever de l’entretien courant”, presenting routine maintenance as a possible classification. It expresses possibility here rather than a confirmed conclusion. Reusable pattern: “peut” is followed by an infinitive to state what may happen or apply.
l'entretien “L’entretien” means “maintenance” in “l’entretien courant”, referring to ordinary maintenance work. The apostrophe joins the article with the vowel at the beginning of “entretien”. Reusable pattern: “l’entretien” can be followed by an adjective or a complement specifying the type or purpose of maintenance.
courant “Courant” means “routine” or “ordinary” in “l’entretien courant”. Together, “l’entretien courant” refers to regular maintenance rather than a special intervention. Reusable pattern: “courant” follows “entretien” to describe maintenance that is part of normal upkeep.
préférerais “Préférerais” means “would prefer” in “Je préférerais que l’évaluation soit consignée par écrit”. It expresses a polite personal preference about how the assessment should be handled. Reusable pattern: “Je préférerais que…” introduces a preferred action or outcome.
que “Que” means “that” in “Je préférerais que l’évaluation soit consignée…”, linking the speaker’s preference to the requested outcome. It introduces a clause with its own subject and verb. Reusable pattern: “Je préférerais que…” is followed by the preferred situation.
l'évaluation “L’évaluation” means “the assessment” in “l’évaluation soit consignée par écrit”, referring to the determination about the repair and responsibility. The article is contracted before the vowel sound at the start of “évaluation”. Reusable pattern: “l’évaluation de…” can specify what is being assessed.
soit “Soit” means “be” in “que l’évaluation soit consignée par écrit”, expressing the requested state of the assessment. It follows the preference structure “Je préférerais que…”. Reusable pattern: after “Je préférerais que…”, “soit” can introduce the preferred condition of a singular subject.
consignée “Consignée” means “recorded” or “documented” in “soit consignée par écrit”. It describes the assessment as being put into a written record. The form matches the feminine noun “évaluation” in this sentence. Reusable pattern: “être consignée par écrit” describes information that should be documented in writing.
par “Par” means “by” in the expression “par écrit”, which means in written form. It helps specify the means or form in which the assessment is recorded. Reusable pattern: “par écrit” is used when asking for or confirming written documentation.
écrit “Écrit” means “written” in the fixed expression “par écrit”. Together, “par écrit” indicates that something is documented in writing rather than only said orally. Reusable pattern: use “par écrit” for written requests, records, or confirmations.
me “Me” means “to me” in “Cela me paraît logique”, showing whose impression or judgment is being expressed. It comes before the verb in this construction. Reusable pattern: “Cela me paraît…” introduces how something seems to the speaker.
paraît “Paraît” means “seems” or “appears” in “Cela me paraît logique”. It presents the speaker’s assessment rather than an absolute statement. Reusable pattern: “Cela me paraît…” can be followed by an adjective describing the speaker’s judgment.
logique “Logique” means “logical” or “makes sense” in “Cela me paraît logique”. It evaluates the preceding request as reasonable. Reusable pattern: “Cela me paraît logique” is a polite way to say that a proposal or explanation makes sense.
puisque “Puisque” means “since” or “because” in “puisque la responsabilité devrait dépendre de la cause”. It introduces the reason supporting the speaker’s agreement. Reusable pattern: use “puisque” before a reason that is presented as relevant or already understandable.
devrait “Devrait” means “should” in “la responsabilité devrait dépendre de la cause”, expressing what the speaker considers the appropriate basis for responsibility. It is followed by the infinitive “dépendre”. Reusable pattern: “devrait” followed by an infinitive states a recommended, expected, or appropriate relationship.
dépendre “Dépendre” means “depend” in “la responsabilité devrait dépendre de la cause”. It states that responsibility should be determined by the cause. Reusable pattern: “dépendre de…” is followed by the factor that determines the matter.
peux “Peux” means “can” in “Je peux envoyer des photos”, stating that the speaker is able or willing to send the photos. It is followed by the infinitive “envoyer”. Reusable pattern: “Je peux…” followed by an infinitive offers or states an action the speaker can take.
envoyer “Envoyer” means “send” in “Je peux envoyer des photos”, describing the proposed action of transmitting the photos. It follows “peux” as an infinitive. Reusable pattern: “Je peux envoyer…” can be used to offer documents, images, or other information.
photos “Photos” means “photos” in “envoyer des photos”, referring to images that can show the fixture and its condition. It is the direct object of “envoyer”. Reusable pattern: “envoyer des photos” is used when providing visual evidence or information.
avec “Avec” means “with” in “avec ma demande d’intervention”, linking the photos to the maintenance request they accompany. It introduces something included together with another item. Reusable pattern: “avec…” can identify documents or information sent together with a request.
demande “Demande” means “request” in “ma demande d’intervention”, referring to the tenant’s request for maintenance work or an intervention. It is modified by “d’intervention”, which specifies its purpose. Reusable pattern: “une demande de…” or “une demande d’intervention” identifies a request for a particular service.
d'intervention “D’intervention” specifies that the “demande” is a request for an intervention or maintenance action. It is the contracted form of “de” before “intervention”. Reusable pattern: “une demande d’intervention” is used for a request that asks a service or technician to act.
Veuillez “Veuillez” means “please” in “Veuillez les joindre et décrire…”. It is a formal and polite way to give an instruction. Reusable pattern: “Veuillez” is followed by an infinitive when making a formal request.
les “Les” means “them” in “Veuillez les joindre”, referring back to the photos. It is placed before the infinitive “joindre” as the object of the instruction. Reusable pattern: a short object pronoun such as “les” comes before the infinitive in this structure.
joindre “Joindre” means “attach” in “Veuillez les joindre”, referring to adding the photos to the request. It follows the formal instruction “Veuillez”. Reusable pattern: “joindre…” is used for attaching documents or images to a request.
et “Et” means “and” in “les joindre et décrire…”. It links two requested actions: attaching the photos and describing the development of the problem. Reusable pattern: use “et” to connect coordinated actions or instructions.
décrire “Décrire” means “describe” in “décrire comment le problème s’est développé”. It asks the tenant to explain the way the problem changed over time. Reusable pattern: “décrire comment…” introduces an explanation of how something happened or developed.
comment “Comment” means “how” in “décrire comment le problème s’est développé”. It introduces the manner or process of the problem’s development. Reusable pattern: “décrire comment…” is used to request a description of a process or change.
le “Le” means “the” in “le problème”, identifying the specific problem being discussed. It comes before the singular masculine noun “problème”. Reusable pattern: use “le” before a specific singular masculine noun.
problème “Problème” means “problem” in “le problème s’est développé”, referring to the repair issue whose development should be described. It is the subject of the clause after “comment”. Reusable pattern: “décrire le problème” is used when explaining an issue to a service or responsible person.
développé “Développé” means “developed” in “le problème s’est développé”, describing how the problem progressed or became apparent. It is used with “s’est” to describe the problem’s development as a completed change. Reusable pattern: “le problème s’est développé” can describe the way an issue progressed over time.

Grammar Points

Je préférerais + infinitif

Je préférerais joindre une demande d'intervention.

zhuh pray-fay-ruh-RAY zhwan-druh ewn duh-MAHND dahn-tair-vahn-SYOHN

I would prefer to attach a maintenance request.

The conditional form préférerais expresses a polite preference. The infinitive follows directly after préférerais.

devrait + infinitif

La réparation devrait dépendre de la cause.

lah reh-pah-rah-SYOHN duh-VRAY day-PAHN-druh duh lah kohz

The repair should depend on the cause.

The conditional devrait expresses an expectation or cautious statement, followed by the infinitive dépendre.

French Vocabulary

cause noun
kohz cause

la cause des dégâts

dégât noun
day-GAH damage dégâts

la cause des dégâts

dépendre de verb
day-PAHN-druh duh to depend on dépend de

Cela dépend de la cause

entretien courant phrase
ahn-truh-TYAN koo-RAHN routine maintenance

de l'entretien courant

fixation noun
feeek-sah-SYOHN fixture; fastening

La fixation s'est progressivement desserrée

inhabituel adj
ee-nah-bee-twee-EL unusual inhabituelle

une force inhabituelle

progressivement adv
proh-gray-see-vuh-MAHN gradually

s'est progressivement desserrée

relever de verb
ruh-LEHV duh to fall under; to be the responsibility of relève de

cette réparation relève de ma responsabilité

réparation noun
reh-pah-rah-SYOHN repair

cette réparation

responsabilité noun
reh-spohn-sah-bee-lee-TAY responsibility

ma responsabilité

se desserrer verb
suh day-say-RAY to loosen s'est desserrée

La fixation s'est progressivement desserrée

usage normal phrase
ew-ZAHZH nor-MAHL normal use

un usage normal

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

repair

Show Answerréparation

cause

Show Answercause

fixture; fastening

Show Answerfixation

damage

Show Answerdégâts