2025.09.02 2025.09.05

French Figurative Constructions | Grammar Rules for Metaphorical Expressions

Izumi

In French, there are several constructions used to express similes and comparisons, such as “like” or “as if.” By using figurative constructions, you can enrich your expression with nuances of analogy, imagination, and exemplification.

In this lesson, I will explain the main figurative constructions in French, their usage, and important points to keep in mind.

Contents

1. comme si: as if
- 1-1. Present unreal situations → Imparfait
- 1-2. Past unreal situations → Past conditional
2. tel que: such as / just as
3. comme: like / as
4. ainsi que: just as / as well as
5. de même que: in the same way as
6. Summary

1. comme si: as if

The phrase comme si means “as if” and is used to describe a situation figuratively, even though it is not real. After comme si, the verb must appear in either the imparfait (past indicative) or the past conditional.

Using “comme si + present indicative” is grammatically incorrect, since it describes a non-real situation.

1-1. Present unreal situations → Imparfait

Il parle comme s’il était expert.
(He speaks as if he were an expert)
→ In reality, he is not an expert.
Elle agit comme si elle connaissait tout.
(She acts as if she knew everything)
→ In reality, she does not.

1-2. Past unreal situations → Past conditional

Elle a réagi comme si elle avait tout compris.
(She reacted as if she had understood everything)
→ In reality, she had not.
Il a parlé comme s’il avait été témoin de la scène.
(He spoke as if he had witnessed the scene)
→ In reality, he had not.

2. tel que: such as / just as

The phrase tel que means “such as” or “just as” and is used when giving examples or describing conformity to a fact. It is followed by a noun or clause.

2-1. Giving concrete examples

Des écrivains célèbres, tels que Victor Hugo et Balzac, ont marqué la littérature française.
(Famous writers, such as Victor Hugo and Balzac, left a deep mark on French literature.)
Il aime les sports tels que le football et le tennis.
(He likes sports such as football and tennis.)

2-2. Indicating manner or condition

Faites-le tel que je vous l’ai montré.
(Do it just as I showed you.)
Répondez tel qu’on vous l’a demandé.
(Answer just as you were asked.)

2-3. Agreement of tel que

Since tel is an adjective, it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies:

Masculine singular: tel
Feminine singular: telle
Masculine plural: tels
Feminine plural: telles

3. comme: like / as

The word comme is the most basic and versatile way of expressing a simile.
It is widely used in daily conversation as well as in literature, and frequently appears in spoken French.

Elle chante comme un oiseau.
(She sings like a bird.)
Fais-le comme je t’ai dit.
(Do it as I told you.)

Construction patterns include “comme + noun” or “comme + subject + verb”, making it highly flexible. For everyday conversation, mastering comme is essential.

4. ainsi que: just as / as well as

The expression ainsi que means “just as” or “as well as.” It has a more formal tone and is frequently used in written language rather than casual speech.

Il a agi ainsi que je l’avais prévu.
(He acted just as I had predicted.)
Il est venu, ainsi que son frère.
(He came, as did his brother.)

While comme can often be substituted, ainsi que is more formal and best suited for written style.

5. de même que: in the same way as

The phrase de même que means “in the same way as” and is often used in abstract or generalized comparisons. It is less common in daily conversation but frequently appears in formal writing, speeches, or essays.

De même que le soleil se lève, la vie continue.
(Just as the sun rises, life goes on.)
Il faut traiter chacun de même que soi-même.
(One should treat others in the same way as oneself.)

Unlike a simple visual comparison, de même que often conveys a universal or philosophical nuance, such as “according to the same principle.”

6. Summary

comme si expresses unreal conditions and is followed by the imparfait or past conditional.
tel que expresses exemplification or conformity and is followed by a noun or clause.
tel que agrees in gender and number: tel / telle / tels / telles.
comme is the most common expression in conversation.
Depending on context, ainsi que and de même que add refinement, especially in formal or literary usage.

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