French and English are fundamentally different languages in term of grammar, structure and syntax. Despite this incompatibility, all English speakers understand a substantial percentage of French loanwords.
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| Vocabulary estimates vary according to criteria e.g whether derivatives are included |
The average native speaker will automatically recognise around 1500 French words in written form— without needing to consult a dictionary. This figure expands to around 30% of French loanwords when a looser connection is included.