Why is "I agree"

[Barb_D]

(Let's not forget I'm not a teacher!)

Is there a verb "accorder" in French? (I actually took six years of French, but as you know, if you don't use it, you lose it.)

Could you say "J'accord" to mean the same as "je suis dans un accord"?

[bhaisahab]

(Let's not forget I'm not a teacher!)

Is there a verb "accorder" in French? (I actually took six years of French, but as you know, if you don't use it, you lose it.)

Could you say "J'accord" to mean the same as "je suis dans un accord"?

Yes, the infinitive is "accorder". You can say "j'accorde", but it doesn't indicate agreement exactly, it means "I permit".

[bhaisahab]

By the way, my wife is a French teacher (she is French and bilingual in French and English); she tells me that, even though it's not literal, "je suis d'accord" means "I am in agreement".

[The French]

Yes, the infinitive is "accorder". You can say "j'accorde", but it doesn't indicate agreement exactly, it means "I permit".

Thanks teacher,

it is more easy for you who speaks the both languages to explain why the French sometimes seems for English hard.

I hope our exchanges help the learner who has asked the question.

Cordially,

[Barb_D]

This makes me wish I kept up with my French.

(Although I was happy to realize that when I was in Niagara Falls, I could read MOST of the signs. I tried to read and translate out loud on the French ones while my daughter read along on the English one and prompted me when I got stuck. So it's not TOTALLY gone!)

[IHIVG]

This makes me wish I kept up with my French.

(Although I was happy to realize that when I was in Niagara Falls, I could read MOST of the signs. I tried to read and translate out loud on the French ones while my daughter read along on the English one and prompted me when I got stuck. So it's not TOTALLY gone!)

Oh I know how you feel! German was my second language and I did well, but once I'd stopped using it because I didn't need to, I felt like I forgot the most of what I'd learned. That's a thing about all languages - you either progress or move back.

On the other hand, whenever I stumble upon something that is in German, I always feel that it really jogs my memory. You are not kidding when you say that it's easy to lose these abilities but it's surprising how quickly it can come back (at least partially) as well!

[Barb_D]

What's funny is how many English learners say they are afraid to speak in English but will write paragraphs. I'm the opposite. I'd have no problem trying to tumble through a badly composed, badly conjugated spoken French sentence but don't ask me to write ANYTHING!

[IHIVG]

What's funny is how many English learners say they are afraid to speak in English but will write paragraphs. I'm the opposite. I'd have no problem trying to tumble through a badly composed, badly conjugated spoken French sentence but don't ask me to write ANYTHING!

I too find the speaking to be a bit more convenient for a reason: you don't have to utter full sentences and it's easier to render something as 'uhm', 'er' or add gestures to give a better flow to the speech. It just feels more lively.
However, I can understand why writing is more preferable for those who are afraid of making mistakes.