Learn Hardcore French: Nous aimons réviser un petit contrôle avant le grand examen. - We like to review a small quiz before the big exam.

In French, réviser generally means “to review” material you’ve already learned, especially as a way of preparing for an exam, while étudier means “to study” or “to learn” new material. In our sentence, “Nous aimons réviser…” emphasizes going over previously covered content before the exam.

Why are the adjectives petit and grand placed before the nouns they modify (“contrôle” and “examen”)?

Many common adjectives in French—especially those that describe inherent qualities such as size—are conventionally placed before the noun. Petit (small) and grand (big) appear before contrôle and examen respectively because this is the standard word order for such adjectives in French.

Why does the sentence use the indefinite article un with “petit contrôle” but the definite article le with “grand examen”?

The indefinite article un indicates that “a small test” is one among others or not specifically identified, whereas the definite article le signals that “the big exam” is a specific, well-known event. This distinction helps clarify that while any little test might be reviewed, the exam in question is a particular major event both the speaker and the listener already know about.

When should I use “nous” versus “on” as the subject in French?

Both nous and on can mean “we” in French. Nous is the formal first-person plural pronoun and is often used in writing or formal contexts, as in this sentence. On is more common in everyday spoken French. The use of nous here suggests a more formal or deliberate tone.

Does the verb réviser have meanings outside of exam preparation?

Yes, réviser can also mean “to edit” or “to proofread” when referring to written work. However, in the context of this sentence—since we’re talking about a “petit contrôle” before a “grand examen”—its intended meaning is to review or go over material in preparation for an exam.

What is the difference between contrôle and examen in academic settings?

In French academic contexts, a contrôle typically refers to a short, often informal test or quiz used to check knowledge periodically. In contrast, an examen is usually a more formal, comprehensive test—often a final or major assessment. In the sentence, “un petit contrôle” suggests a minor review session, while “le grand examen” points to the main evaluation.