The two registers
| Informal (tu) | Formal (vous) | |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Salut Marc, / Cher Paul, | Madame, Monsieur, / Cher Monsieur, |
| Opening | Comment vas-tu ? | Je me permets de vous écrire au sujet de… |
| Requesting | Tu peux… ? | Je vous serais reconnaissant de bien vouloir… |
| Closing | À bientôt, / Bises, | Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées. |
The formal closing has no English equivalent and looks absurdly long to an English speaker. It is standard, it is expected, and omitting it is noticed.
Staying consistent
- Decide tu or vous before writing a word.
- Write the greeting and the closing first, so both ends match.
- Check every verb and possessive — ton/votre, tu peux/vous pouvez.
- Check the pronouns in the middle paragraphs, where slips happen.
A single *tu* in a formal letter is a register error a marker cannot miss. Writing both ends first is the cheapest guard against drifting in the middle.
Register — FAQs
2 questions
The consigne says who you are writing to. A friend takes tu; an official, a company or a stranger takes vous.
Yes. It is the standard convention and its absence is marked.
More production écrite question types
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.