bienvenue!

Welcome to Tex's French Grammar (la grammaire de l'absurde), a pedagogical reference grammar that combines explanations with surreal dialogues and cartoon images. Originally built for students at the University of Texas at Austin as a user-friendly guide to French grammar, this web site may be profitably used by any learner of French, provided he or she possess a sense of humor.



Tex's French Grammar is arranged like many other traditional reference grammars with the parts of speech (nouns, verbs, etc.) used to categorize specific grammar items (gender of nouns, irregular verbs). Individual grammar items are carefully explained in English, then exemplified in a dialogue, and finally tested in self-correcting, fill-in-the-blank exercises.



To facilitate reference and learning, all grammar items are thoroughly cross-linked. Important grammatical terminology is defined in an introductory page for every part of speech. For example, the definition of infinitive, conjugation, and paradigm can all be found in the Introduction to Verbs page. Also included are several other pedagogical tools: verb conjugator and a verb tutor.



our story begins ...

This web site is about much more than just French grammar. It is also about the epic love story of Tex and Tammy, two star-struck armadillos, and Bette, the sex kitten bent on destroying their love. In addition to this ménage à trois, the cast of characters include Edouard, a pretentious French snail, Joe-Bob, a dim-witted squirrel from College Station, and Corey, a cockroach who prefers getting high and watching the X-Files on TV to doing his French homework.



So, come explore the world of Tex and find the answers to life's important questions: Will Tex's and Tammy's union ever be legally sanctioned? Will Bette ever learn to balance the erotic and the platonic? Will Edouard ever get over his antipathy for Texas barbeque? Will Joe-Bob and Corey ever pass French 101? And will Tex ever integrate the competing forces of his complex Franco-American identity? ... Bon voyage!