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ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE:
Run Down
Section A is for advanced learners for it is just a normal parallel text (although the original english text has been re-written to more closely resemble the french translation) Section B is for intermediate learners. Here the French text has been broken down into twenty sentences and directly below each French sentence you will find the English equivalent. This makes the task of referring from french text to english text all that more easier. Section C is for beginner learners. Here, every word is translated individually and grammar notes are included. |
SECTION A
Traditional Parallel Text
En passant devant la porte bien connue, inséparable pour moi du souvenir de mes fiançailles et des sombres incidents de l’Étude de rouge, je fus saisi du désir irrésistible de revoir Sherlock Holmes et de savoir à quoi il employait ses extraordinaires facultés.
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In passing the well-known door, inseparable for me from the memory of my engagement and the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers.
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~VERBS USED (in order used)
~Passer - passant = [passing]. PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Saisir - fus saisi = [was seized], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Revoir = [to resee/ to see again], INFINITIF
~Savoir = [to know], INFINITIF
~Employer - employait = [was employing], IMPARFAIT
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
Connaitre - connu(e) = [known]
~Passer - passant = [passing]. PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Saisir - fus saisi = [was seized], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Revoir = [to resee/ to see again], INFINITIF
~Savoir = [to know], INFINITIF
~Employer - employait = [was employing], IMPARFAIT
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
Connaitre - connu(e) = [known]
Son appartement était très éclairé et en levant la tête j’aperçus, à travers le store, sa longue et mince silhouette allant et venant dans la pièce. Il marchait rapidement, la tête penchée sur la poitrine, les mains derrière le dos.
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His apartment was brilliantly lit, and, in looking up, I caught a glimpse, through the blind, of his tall thin silhouette coming and going in the room. He was pacing swiftly, head sunk upon the chest, hands behind the back.
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~VERBS USED (in order used)
~Lever - levant = [raising/ lifting (the head)], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Apercevoir - aperçus = [glimpsed/ caught a glimpse of], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Aller - allant = [going], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Venir - venant = [coming], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Marcher - marchait = [was walking/ was pacing], IMPARFAIT
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Pencher - penché = [sunk (upon)/ slumped (onto) NOTE: pencher lit. means to tilt, to incline, lean over]
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)
~Était éclairé = [was lit] (from the verb 'eclairer')
~Lever - levant = [raising/ lifting (the head)], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Apercevoir - aperçus = [glimpsed/ caught a glimpse of], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Aller - allant = [going], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Venir - venant = [coming], PARTICIPE PRÉSENT
~Marcher - marchait = [was walking/ was pacing], IMPARFAIT
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Pencher - penché = [sunk (upon)/ slumped (onto) NOTE: pencher lit. means to tilt, to incline, lean over]
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)
~Était éclairé = [was lit] (from the verb 'eclairer')
Pour moi qui le connaissais à fond il n’y avait aucun doute ; il était au travail une fois de plus. Il s’était arraché à ses rêves procuré par la drogue et cherchait à résoudre quelque nouveau problème.
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For me who knew him profoundly, there wasn’t any doubt. He was at work again. He had snatched himself out of his drug acquired dreams and was searching to resolve some new problem.
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~Connaitre -
~Il y a - il n'y avait = [there wasn't (Lit. in franglais: 'it no there had (any))'], IMPARFAIT
~S'arracher -s'était arracher = [had torn himself away (from)/ had roused himself (from)/ had snatched himself out (from)], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT (reflexive verb) NOTE: it is worth seeing this verb at wordreference
~Chercher - cherchait = [was searching (to)], IMPARFAIT
~Resoudre = [resolve], INFINITIF
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Procurer - procuré = [procured/ produced/ induced]
~Connaitre -
~Il y a - il n'y avait = [there wasn't (Lit. in franglais: 'it no there had (any))'], IMPARFAIT
~S'arracher -s'était arracher = [had torn himself away (from)/ had roused himself (from)/ had snatched himself out (from)], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT (reflexive verb) NOTE: it is worth seeing this verb at wordreference
~Chercher - cherchait = [was searching (to)], IMPARFAIT
~Resoudre = [resolve], INFINITIF
PAST PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Procurer - procuré = [procured/ produced/ induced]
Je sonnais et je fus introduit dans ce salon qui avait été aussi le mien autrefois. Je ne fus pas reçu très chaudement ; en apparence du moins, car dans le fond je crois qu’il était assez content de me revoir.
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I rang the bell, and was shown up to the chamber which had been my own in the past. I was not received very warmly. In appearance at least, for all things considered, I think that he was quite content to see me.
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~Sonner - sonnais = [rang], IMPARFAIT. (why does it feel like this should have been in the passé simple)
~Introduire - fus introduit = [was admitted into/ was ushered into/ was shown into], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Etre - avait été = [had been], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT
~Recevoir - (ne) fus (pas) reçu = [was (not) received], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Croire - crois = [believe/ think], PRÉSENT
~Etre - etait = [was], IMPARFAIT
~Revoir = [to resee (me)/ to see (me) again], INFINITIF
~Sonner - sonnais = [rang], IMPARFAIT. (why does it feel like this should have been in the passé simple)
~Introduire - fus introduit = [was admitted into/ was ushered into/ was shown into], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Etre - avait été = [had been], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT
~Recevoir - (ne) fus (pas) reçu = [was (not) received], PASSIVE VOICE: PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Croire - crois = [believe/ think], PRÉSENT
~Etre - etait = [was], IMPARFAIT
~Revoir = [to resee (me)/ to see (me) again], INFINITIF
Presque sans m’adresser la parole, il me désigna un fauteuil, me jeta son étui à cigares, me montra du doigt une cave à liqueurs et dans un coin un allume-cigare. Puis il se planta devant la cheminée et me fixa avec son regard si pénétrant.
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Almost without addressing a word to me, he waved me to an armchair, threw to me his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and in a corner a cigar-lighter. Then he stood before the fire-place and stared at me with his penetrating gaze.
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~Adresser = [adressing (to me a{the} word)], INFINITIF
~Désigner - (me) désigna = [showed (me to)/ designated (for me)], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Jeter - jeta = [threw], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Montrer - montra (du doigt) = [indicated (by finger)/ pointed to/ showed/ identified by fingering out], PASSÉ SIMPLE. (Note that the base meaning of 'montrer' is 'to show'
~Se planter - se planta = [Lit. 'planted himself'], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Fixer - (me) fixa (avec son regard) = [Lit. 'fixed (me) (with his gaze)' i.e stared (at me) (with his gaze)], PASSÉ SIMPLE
PRESENT PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Pénétrer - pénétrant = [penetrating]
~Adresser = [adressing (to me a{the} word)], INFINITIF
~Désigner - (me) désigna = [showed (me to)/ designated (for me)], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Jeter - jeta = [threw], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Montrer - montra (du doigt) = [indicated (by finger)/ pointed to/ showed/ identified by fingering out], PASSÉ SIMPLE. (Note that the base meaning of 'montrer' is 'to show'
~Se planter - se planta = [Lit. 'planted himself'], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Fixer - (me) fixa (avec son regard) = [Lit. 'fixed (me) (with his gaze)' i.e stared (at me) (with his gaze)], PASSÉ SIMPLE
PRESENT PARTICIPLES OF VERBS USED AS ADJECTIVES
~Pénétrer - pénétrant = [penetrating]
— Le mariage vous réussit, me dit-il. Je suis sûr que vous avez gagné sept livres et demie depuis que je ne vous ai vu.
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“Marriage suits you,” he said to me. “I am sure that you have gained seven and a half pounds since I saw you.”
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~(something for someone) Réussir - (marriage vous) réusit = [ (marriage to you) is beneficial/ (marriage) suits (you)], PRÉSENT. Note that normally 'réussir' means 'to succeed' but used in this particular construction it is almost impossible to translate word for word.
~Dire - dit = [said], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Etre - suis = [am], PRÉSENT
~Gagner - avez gagné = [have gained], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
~Voir - (ne) {vous} ai vu = [hav(n't) seen {you}], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ. Note the difference between the English 'since I saw you' and the French 'since I havn't seen you.' Both are technically correct. One refers to the last time they saw each other, the other refers to the period of time that they havn't been seeing each other. Kif-kif as the French say.
~(something for someone) Réussir - (marriage vous) réusit = [ (marriage to you) is beneficial/ (marriage) suits (you)], PRÉSENT. Note that normally 'réussir' means 'to succeed' but used in this particular construction it is almost impossible to translate word for word.
~Dire - dit = [said], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Etre - suis = [am], PRÉSENT
~Gagner - avez gagné = [have gained], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
~Voir - (ne) {vous} ai vu = [hav(n't) seen {you}], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ. Note the difference between the English 'since I saw you' and the French 'since I havn't seen you.' Both are technically correct. One refers to the last time they saw each other, the other refers to the period of time that they havn't been seeing each other. Kif-kif as the French say.
— Sept, répondis-je.
— Vraiment ? J’aurais dit un peu plus, quelques grammes seulement, j’en suis persuadé. Et vous vous êtes remis à exercer la médecine, je vois. Vous ne m’aviez pas dit que vous comptiez reprendre le collier de misère. |
“Seven,” I responded.
“really? I would have said a little more. A few grams only, I am persuaded of it. And you have put yourself back into exercising medicine, I see. You did not tell me that you intended to reassume the yoke of misery.” |
VERBS USED (in order used)
~Répondre - répondis = [responded/ answered/ replied], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Dire -aurais dit = [would have said], CONDITIONNEL PASSÉ
~Se Remmetre (à faire qqch) - vous êtes remis [you have gone back to/ Lit. '(you) yourself have/are reput (to exercising...)'], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
~(à) Exercer = [(to) excercing], INFINITIF
~Voir- vois = [see], PRÉSENT
~Dire - (ne) {m'}aviez (pas) dit = [had (not) told {me}], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT. Note that it is better read as 'didn't tell me'
~Compter - comptiez = [was intending], IMPARFAIT
~Reprendre = [to retake/ to take back/to reassume/ to take on again], INFINITIF
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)
~Suis Persuadé = [am persuaded] from the verb 'Persuader'
~Répondre - répondis = [responded/ answered/ replied], PASSÉ SIMPLE
~Dire -aurais dit = [would have said], CONDITIONNEL PASSÉ
~Se Remmetre (à faire qqch) - vous êtes remis [you have gone back to/ Lit. '(you) yourself have/are reput (to exercising...)'], PASSÉ COMPOSÉ
~(à) Exercer = [(to) excercing], INFINITIF
~Voir- vois = [see], PRÉSENT
~Dire - (ne) {m'}aviez (pas) dit = [had (not) told {me}], PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT. Note that it is better read as 'didn't tell me'
~Compter - comptiez = [was intending], IMPARFAIT
~Reprendre = [to retake/ to take back/to reassume/ to take on again], INFINITIF
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)
~Suis Persuadé = [am persuaded] from the verb 'Persuader'
— Alors comment le savez-vous ?
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“Then, how do you know?”
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~Savoir - savez = [know], PRÉSENT
~Savoir - savez = [know], PRÉSENT
— Je le vois, ou je le déduis plutôt de ce que je vois.
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“I see it, or rather I deduce it from that which I see.
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VERBS USED (in order used)
~Voir - vois = [see], PRÉSENT
~Déduire - déduis = [deduce], PRÉSENT
~Voir - vois = [see], PRÉSENT
~Déduire - déduis = [deduce], PRÉSENT
SECTION B
Line Under Line Parallel Text
(21)
En passant devant la porte bien connue, inséparable pour moi du souvenir de mes fiançailles et des sombres incidents de l’Étude de rouge, je fus saisi du désir irrésistible de revoir Sherlock Holmes et de savoir à quoi il employait ses extraordinaires facultés.
As I passed the well-known door, inseparable for me from the memory of my engagement and the dark incidents of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with an irresistible desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers.
(22)
Son appartement était très éclairé et en levant la tête j’aperçus, à travers le store, sa longue et mince silhouette allant et venant dans la pièce.
His apartment was brilliantly lit, and, in looking up, I caught a glimpse, through the blind, of his tall thin silhouette coming and going in the room.
(23)
Il marchait rapidement, la tête penchée sur la poitrine, les mains derrière le dos.
He was pacing swiftly, head sunk upon the chest, hands behind the back.
(24)
Pour moi qui le connaissais à fond il n’y avait aucun doute ;
For me who knew him profoundly, there wasn’t any doubt.
(25)
il était au travail une fois de plus ;
He was at work again.
(26)
il s’était arraché à ses rêves procuré par la drogue et cherchait à résoudre quelque nouveau problème.
He had snatched himself out of his drug-created dreams and was searching to resolve some new problem.
(27)
Je sonnais et je fus introduit dans ce salon qui avait été aussi le mien autrefois.
I rang the bell, and was shown up to the chamber which had been my own in the past.
(28)
Je ne fus pas reçu très chaudement ;
I was not received very warmly..
(29)
en apparence du moins, car dans le fond je crois qu’il était assez content de me revoir.
In appearance at least, for all things considered, I think that he was quite content to see me.
(30)
Presque sans m’adresser la parole, il me désigna un fauteuil, me jeta son étui à cigares, me montra du doigt une cave à liqueurs et dans un coin un allume-cigare.
Almost without addressing a word to me, he waved me to an armchair, threw to me his case of cigars, and indicated a spirit case and in a corner a cigar-lighter.
(31)
Puis il se planta devant la cheminée et me fixa avec son regard si pénétrant.
Then he stood before the fire-place and stared at me with his penetrating gaze.
(32)
— Le mariage vous réussit, me dit-il.
“Marriage suits you,” he said to me.
(33)
Je suis sûr que vous avez gagné sept livres et demie depuis que je ne vous ai vu.
“I am sure that you have gained seven and a half pounds since I saw you.”
(34)
— Sept, répondis-je.
“Seven,” I responded.
(35)
— Vraiment ? J’aurais dit un peu plus,
“really? I would have said a little more.
(36)
quelques grammes seulement, j’en suis persuadé.
A few grams only, I am persuaded of it.
(37)
Et vous vous êtes remis à exercer la médecine, je vois.
And you have put yourself back into exercising medicine, I see.
(38)
Vous ne m’aviez pas dit que vous comptiez reprendre le collier de misère.
You did not tell me that you intended to retake the yoke of misery.”
(39)
— Alors comment le savez-vous ?
“Then, how do you know?”
(40)
— Je le vois, ou je le déduis plutôt de ce que je vois.
“I see it, or rather I deduce it from that which I see.
VERBS USED (in order used)
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)
PASSIVE VOICE or INDICATIVE VERB+PPofVUasADJECTIVES (don't worry about which; I never do!)