Actually, library, sensible: English words that mislead French speakers
You are reading a sentence in English. One word looks like French, so you think you understand it. You carry on without stopping.
Sometimes that is where the meaning slips away.
Actually looks like the French word ‘actuellement’. Library brings the French word ‘librairie’ to mind. Sensible is spelled exactly as it is in French.
These similarities are misleading: the words look familiar, but their meaning does not necessarily match the one you assign to them.
They are called false friends. Here are five examples, with situations to help you understand the difference and choose the right word.
Actually: clarifying what is true, not when it happens
A colleague asks whether you still work for the same company. You want to say:
‘Actuellement, je travaille sur un nouveau projet.’ (‘I am currently working on a new project.’)
You say:
“Actually, I’m working on a new project.”
The sentence is correct. But actually means ‘en fait’ (‘in fact’), not the French ‘actuellement’ (‘currently’). Your answer adds a clarification, perhaps correcting what the other person thought.
To say when your activity is taking place, you can say:
“I’m currently working on a new project.”
I am currently working on a new project.
Or, in conversation:
“I’m working on a new project at the moment.”
I am working on a new project at the moment.
Compare this with:
“Actually, I don’t work there anymore.”
In fact, I do not work there anymore.
The choice therefore depends on your intention: are you talking about what is happening at the moment, or adding a clarification about what is actually true ?
Library: are you looking for a library or a bookstore?
You are traveling and want to buy a book. You ask:
“Is there a library near here?”
The other person may direct you to a library. Your question did not ask where to find a bookstore.
To look for a shop that sells books, say:
“Is there a bookstore near here?”
Is there a bookstore near here?
Bookshop also works.
Remember the words within a situation:
“I borrowed this book from the library.”
I borrowed this book from the library.
“I bought this book at a bookstore.”
I bought this book at a bookstore.
The verbs borrow — ‘emprunter’ in French — and buy — ‘acheter’ in French — help you associate each place with its usual purpose.
Sensible: a reasonable choice, not an emotional person
Someone says to you:
“That’s a sensible decision.”
They are telling you that your decision is reasonable or wise.
In English, sensible can describe a person or a choice that shows good judgment:
“It’s sensible to check the price first.”
It is reasonable to check the price first.
If you want to describe someone who is emotionally sensitive, the word you need is sensitive :
“She’s sensitive to criticism.”
She is sensitive to criticism.
Both words exist in English, but they express different ideas:
- Sensible : showing good judgment.
- Sensitive : sensitive, particularly to emotions or certain influences.
A person can therefore be sensible and sensitive. They can show good judgment while also being easily affected by a remark.
Attend: taking part, not waiting
You receive this message:
“Will you attend the meeting?”
You are being asked whether you will be present at the meeting, not whether you will wait for it.
The verb attend is used, for example, to talk about being present at a class, meeting or event:
“I’ll attend the meeting tomorrow.”
I will attend the meeting tomorrow.
To express the French ‘attendre’, use wait :
“I’m waiting for the meeting to start.”
I am waiting for the meeting to start.
You can remember the two actions in order:
You wait for the meeting to begin: you wait.
You are present at the meeting: you attend.
The similarity to the French ‘attendre’ can lead you toward the wrong action if you translate too quickly.
Eventually: something happens in the end, not merely possibly
A colleague describes a technical problem:
“We eventually found a solution.”
They explain that they found a solution in the end, after some time or several attempts.
Eventually does not present the solution as merely possible. In this sentence, it really was found.
Compare:
“We eventually found a solution.”
We found a solution in the end.
“We might find a solution.”
We may find a solution.
To express the French ‘éventuellement’, the English wording depends on the sentence. You may need maybe, possibly, might or another expression.
For example:
“We could possibly meet tomorrow.”
We could possibly meet tomorrow.
Keep this distinction in mind: a result that happens in the end and a possibility being considered.
Why learning the word alone is not enough
A list such as ‘actually = en fait’ can help you spot the trap. But a sentence also shows you when and how to use the word.
Associate each false friend with two ideas:
| To express… | English example |
|---|---|
| At the moment | I’m currently working. |
| In fact | Actually, I’ve finished. |
| A library | I borrowed it from the library. |
| A bookstore | I bought it at a bookstore. |
| A reasonable choice | That’s a sensible choice. |
| Sensitivity to criticism | I’m sensitive to criticism. |
| Being present at a meeting | I’ll attend the meeting. |
| Waiting for someone | I’m waiting for you. |
| A result achieved in the end | We eventually agreed. |
| A possibility | We might agree. |
The aim is to link the word to what you want to express so that you can choose it in a new situation.
Your turn to choose the right meaning
Without returning to the examples, how would you express these ideas?
- I currently work in Abidjan.
- In fact, that is a reasonable decision.
- I am waiting for my colleague before attending the meeting.
- We found a bookstore in the end.
Try saying them aloud before reading the suggested answers.
Possible answers:
- “I currently work in Abidjan.”
- “Actually, that’s a sensible decision.”
- “I’m waiting for my colleague before attending the meeting.”
- “We eventually found a bookstore.”
Then take one sentence and change it to match your own life. Change the city, the person or the situation.
Recognize the word, then check the idea
Not every English word that resembles French is a trap. But similarity alone does not confirm the meaning.
When you encounter a false friend, find a sentence that shows how it is used. Then ask yourself: is this really the idea I wanted to communicate?
At English With Zac, vocabulary work follows this practice: choose an expression, use it in a conversation and receive feedback on what it communicates.
