What kinds of odd one out are there?

Four: meaning (one word comes from another family), grammar (one breaks a pattern such as gender), register (one is more formal or informal) and spelling (one doesn’t follow a spelling rule).

What does l’intrus mean?

L’intrus means the intruder: it’s the French name for odd-one-out exercises, common in French textbooks.

Which level is it for?

Meaning sets suit A2 learners. Register and spelling sets become most useful from B1, when you start writing longer texts.

French odd one out: spot the word that doesn’t belong

L’intrus

Four French words, one doesn’t belong. A badge tells you what to look at: meaning, grammar, register or spelling. Tap the intruder, then read what links the other three.

3 min a round
Free, no sign-up
Reading
Speaking

How to play

1Read the four words: the badge says what to look at (meaning, grammar, register or spelling).
2Tap the one that doesn’t belong with the others.
3The answer explains what links the other three.

What it trains

Thinking about words rather than translating them: word families, grammar patterns, formal and informal register, and spelling rules, in 102 sets.

Why it matters for TCF and TEF Canada

Register matters in the exam: a formal message or an argued opinion calls for cependant rather than mais bon, and une voiture rather than une bagnole. Learning to notice the difference makes your writing and speaking fit the task.

Practise reading in the real format: TCF Canada reading practice · TEF Canada reading practice

Learn while you play

Rules and tips to remember

Read the badge first
The same four words can have a different intruder depending on whether you look at meaning or grammar.
Name what the three share
Before you tap, say the link: “three are feminine”, “three are formal”. If you can’t name it, look again.
Informal isn’t wrong
Words like bosser or un truc are fine with friends, not in a formal letter or an argued opinion.

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