Why are French words used in English?

If you’ve ever ordered a croissant, worn lingerie, or said RSVP, you’ve used French—without even realizing it. But why are so many French words part of the English language?

It turns out, French has left a huge mark on English vocabulary. In fact, nearly 30% of English words come directly or indirectly from French!

Let’s explore how French got into English, why it stayed, and what it means for learners today.

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⚔️ 1. The Norman Invasion (1066): French Becomes the Language of Power

The biggest reason French invaded English is… because France literally invaded England!

In 1066, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy (in modern-day France), defeated the English king and became the new ruler of England. As a result:

• French became the language of the court, law, government, and elite

• English was spoken mostly by peasants and the working class

For over 300 years, French was the language of power, and thousands of French words entered English—especially in law, politics, and food.

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📚 2. French Words That Stuck (and Stayed)

Many of the French words introduced in medieval England never left. Today, they’re just… English.

Here are a few examples by category:

👑 Government & Law:

• justice, court, judge, parliament, government, crime

🍽️ Food & Cooking:

• beef (from boeuf), pork (porc), cuisine, menu, restaurant

🧥 Fashion & Culture:

• boutique, chic, haute couture, perfume, ballet, lingerie

💬 Formal Language:

• rendezvous, déjà vu, résumé, faux pas, fiancé(e)

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🧠 3. Why English Kept the French Words

Even after French was no longer the official language in England, many of its words:

• Filled gaps in English vocabulary

• Sounded more sophisticated or formal

• Became part of the legal and cultural systems

English didn’t replace the French words—it often just kept both.

Example:

• Kingly (Old English) vs. royal (French) vs. regal (Latin)

This gives English its famous synonym richness, but also makes it harder for learners!

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🧩 4. Why This Matters for Learners

If your native language is French, good news: you already know many English words!

If you’re not a French speaker, learning common French-origin words can:

• Improve your reading comprehension

• Help with formal writing

• Make it easier to learn other Romance languages (like Spanish or Italian)

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🔎 5. Fun Facts About French in English

• “Beef” (English) comes from French boeuf — but “cow” is from Old English!

• English has more French words than modern French has English words.

• Some French words in English aren’t used the same way in France (like entrée, which in French means “starter,” not the main dish).

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✅ Final Thoughts

French isn’t just a foreign influence in English—it’s a core part of the language. From law to fashion to food, French has shaped the way we speak, write, and even think in English.

So next time you say ballet, attorney, or restaurant, just remember: you’re speaking a little bit of French!

 

Why some letters are silent in English words?

Have you ever wondered why the word “knight” starts with a K you don’t pronounce? Or why there’s a B at the end of “lamb”, even though no one says it? Silent letters can feel like a cruel joke for English learners—but there’s a fascinating reason behind them. Let’s take a look at why some letters are silent in English words, and how they got there.

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🧬 1. Blame History: English Has a Messy Past

English is a language built on layers of other languages—Old English, Latin, Norse, and French, to name a few. Over time, pronunciations evolved, but spellings often stayed the same.

Example:

• “Knight” used to be pronounced something like /knixt/ in Middle English. That K wasn’t silent!

• Over time, the initial “kn” sound was dropped in speech, but the spelling stuck.

So, many silent letters are leftovers from older versions of English, like fossils embedded in the language.

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📜 2. French Influence After 1066

When the Normans invaded England in 1066, they brought French vocabulary and spelling rules. This changed the way English was written. Words were often re-spelled to look more “French,” even if the pronunciation stayed English.

Example:

• “Debt” was influenced by the Latin word debitum via French. The silent B was added later to match the Latin root—even though it’s not pronounced.

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🧪 3. The Printing Press and Standardization

In the 1400s, the printing press came to England, and publishers started to standardize spellings. Unfortunately, pronunciation kept evolving, but the spelling system didn’t change as quickly. That’s why English today has so many non-phonetic spellings.

Example:

• “Island” was originally spelled iland. The S was added because people thought it came from the Latin word insula—but it doesn’t!

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🧠 4. Why Silent Letters Still Exist Today

You might think: Why not just update the spellings?
The answer is: consistency and etymology.

• Silent letters help distinguish homophones (e.g. “knight” vs “night”)

• They help us understand word origins and meanings (e.g. “sign” → “signature”)

• Spelling reform is controversial and would require massive changes in education, publishing, and software

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🔥 Bonus: Common Silent Letter Patterns

Here are a few silent letters English learners often struggle with:

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🎯 Tips for Learners

• Don’t try to pronounce silent letters—just memorize the whole word

• Focus on common patterns (like “kn” or “mb”) to recognize silent letters quickly

• Use tools like Forvo or Google’s pronunciation feature to hear the correct form

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🧩 Final Thoughts

Silent letters are one of the most frustrating—and fascinating—parts of learning English. But now that you know why they exist, you can learn to recognize and work with them. Think of silent letters not as mistakes, but as clues to the deep, rich history of the English language.