How many French words in English?

 

French and English are fundamentally different languages in term of grammar, structure and syntax. Despite this incompatibility, all English speakers understand some French. 

The average native speaker will automatically recognise around 1500 French words — without needing to consult a dictionary. This figure expands greatly when a looser connection is included. 

In fact nearly 30% of all English vocabulary consists of loanwords coming directly or indirectly from French. Read More