Learning French: what are the origins of au fur et à mesure and what does it mean?

If you find yourself chatting with native French speakers you are sure to learn many different expressions as you go along - or in French au fur et à mesure.

We look at the meaning of this phrase, which is used only in specific circumstances when two simultaneous events are evolving at a consistent pace, and how it became a pleonasm (a repetition of the same idea).

What does au fur et à mesure mean?

The long expression au fur et à mesure literally translates as ‘at the rate and in measure’ and can be boiled down to one-word English equivalents such as, while or gradually. 

However, these do not quite capture the nuance of the expression, which indicates a shared time-frame for two events evolving at a consistent pace - similar to the English phrases 'as I go along', 'little by little', 'slowly but surely'. 

What are the origins of au fur et à mesure?

The shorter expression au fur dates to the 16th Century but has gradually fallen out of use. As its meaning became less clear, the more popular à mesure was added, resulting in au fur et à mesure, making it a pleonasm.

Another everyday example of a French pleonasm is aujourd’hui (today). The modern word, jour (day) has the same meaning as the old French word, hui. 

Many French people even say au jour d’aujourd’hui, a sort of double-pleonasm.

Read more: Exploring French farewells: the rise of 'belle journée' and its cultural impact

When do you say au fur et à mesure ?

This phrase is not very flexible and is limited to specific circumstances: it expresses active, progressive actions, and so is used with active verbs like aller (to go) and parler (to speak). 

You might use this phrase in the following situations:

• Je meublerai mon appartement au fur et à mesure - I will furnish my apartment gradually, as I go along. 

• Je fais la vaisselle au fur et à mesure qu'il débarrasse la table - I wash the dishes as he clears the table.

• Tenez moi au courant au fur et à mesure de votre progression - Keep me updated about your progress as you advance.

For simultaneous events using passive verbs like regarder (to watch), you need to replace au fur et à mesure with the synonym, tandis que. 

Read also: Lost in translation: the humorous pitfalls of online language

To whom do you say au fur et à mesure?

Au fur et à mesure is considered neutral language, so can be used in all situations. 

Alternative expressions in French are: 

• Au fil de l’eau - Over time 

• À petit feu - Slowly 

• Peu à peu - Inch by inch

• Petit à petit - Little by little

Read also: De fil en aiguille: Our French expression of the week