porter at C1 — refined & idiomatic
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Figurative uses across effort, blame and attention.
The figurative range
Porter ses fruits means to pay off: « nos efforts ont porté leurs fruits ». It is the natural way to say work bore results, and it is common in professional writing.
Porter atteinte à means to harm or infringe — formal and frequent in legal contexts. And porter un jugement means to pass judgement, usually with a critical edge: « je ne veux pas porter de jugement ».
💡 Focus at this level: Idiomatic — porter ses fruits
👨🏫 How to use « porter » at this level
1. « Porter ses fruits » for results. Warmer than réussir.
2. « Porter atteinte à » is formal harm. Legal and journalistic.
3. « Sans porter de jugement » softens criticism before you give it.
Nos efforts ont porté leurs fruits.Our efforts paid off.
Cela porte atteinte à sa réputation.That damages his reputation.
Je ne veux pas porter de jugement.I don’t want to pass judgement.
Elle porte bien son nom.Her name suits her well.
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