Why faillir de rater rather than presque rater?

Carol L.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why faillir de rater rather than presque rater?

Faillir de (rater, for example) is being used.  I have no problem with this usage, but wonder why presque is not used at all  -- e.g., j'ai presque rate as an alternative to j'ai failli rate.  Just curious.  Thanks!

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Carol, 

It is just the way it is, no rhyme or reason.

to almost do something = faillir faire

note no 'de'

J'ai failli rater mon train = I almost missed my train

Nous avons failli tomber dans l'arnaque = We almost fell into the scam

Jean d.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

In which cases would I use "presque" instead of avoir+falli+infinitif

CécileNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hi Jean, 

A French person wouldn't  really use 'presque' for to almost do something.

J'ai failli m'évanouir I almost fainted

J'ai failli le gifler I almost slapped him 

 

but you would for something like- 

Je n'ai presque plus de pain I am almost out of bread 

Bonne Continuation!

Carol L. asked:

Why faillir de rater rather than presque rater?

Faillir de (rater, for example) is being used.  I have no problem with this usage, but wonder why presque is not used at all  -- e.g., j'ai presque rate as an alternative to j'ai failli rate.  Just curious.  Thanks!

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