act

acte, action

Ce que fait une personne, surtout lorsque cela a des conséquences importantes.

En anglais simple : Something that someone does, especially something with an important effect.

• That was a kind act.
• His brave act saved two lives.
• Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Comment l'utiliser : act of something (Giving her your coat was an act of kindness.)

Synonymes : action, deed

Expressions courantes : act of kindness, brave act, act of violence

loi

Texte de loi officiellement adopté et mis en application par un gouvernement ou un parlement.

En anglais simple : A law officially agreed and introduced by a government or parliament.

• Parliament passed a new act.
• The act protects workers from unfair treatment.
• Several sections of the act were amended last year.

Synonymes : law, statute

Expressions courantes : act of parliament, new act, under the act

acte, action

Le fait de faire quelque chose, ou le moment où on le fait.

En anglais simple : The process or moment of doing something.

• We caught him in the act.
• The act of reading can calm your mind.
• She was interrupted in the act of opening the door.

Comment l'utiliser : in the act of doing something (She was caught in the act of stealing.); the act of doing something (The act of writing helps me think.)

Expressions courantes : in the act, act of reading, act of writing

comédie, simulation

Comportement destiné à faire croire aux autres quelque chose de faux sur soi.

En anglais simple : Behaviour intended to make people believe something about you that is not true.

• Her tears were just an act.
• He fooled everyone with his friendly act.
• Was his surprise real or an act?

Synonymes : pretence, pretense, performance

Expressions courantes : all an act, just an act, convincing act

acte

Une des grandes parties d’une pièce de théâtre ou d’un spectacle semblable.

En anglais simple : One of the main parts of a play or similar performance.

• The first act was short.
• The curtain fell at the end of the act.
• The opera has three acts.

Expressions courantes : first act, final act, opening act

projet de loi

Proposition de loi qui n’a pas encore été officiellement adoptée.

En anglais simple : A proposed law that has not yet been officially agreed.

• The proposed act awaits a vote.
• The committee reviewed the draft act.
• Members suggested changes to the act before it became law.

Synonymes : bill, legislative proposal

Expressions courantes : proposed act, draft act, debate an act

se comporter, agir

Se comporter d’une certaine manière.

En anglais simple : To behave in a particular way.

• You are acting strangely.
• He acted calmly during the emergency.
• Why does she act like a child?

Comment l'utiliser : act like someone/something (He acts like a child.); act + adjective (Try to act normal.); act as if… (She acted as if nothing had happened.)

Synonymes : behave

Expressions courantes : act strangely, act like someone, act as if

agir

Faire quelque chose pour répondre à une situation ou obtenir un résultat.

En anglais simple : To do something to deal with a situation or achieve a result.

• We must act now.
• The manager acted quickly to solve the problem.
• Will the council act on our complaint?

Comment l'utiliser : act on something (The police acted on a tip from a neighbour.)

Synonymes : take action

Expressions courantes : act quickly, act on advice, act immediately