French Phrase
Je préviens mon chef.
Meaning
Literally ‘I inform my boss.’ In a workplace context it means you are letting your manager know about something – a meeting, a delay, a problem, etc. The verb can also carry a warning nuance, so the surrounding context clarifies whether you are simply giving information or alerting them to a risk.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to tell your superior about a change in schedule, a project update, or any situation that requires their knowledge. It is a neutral, professional way to announce the act of informing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Jepréviensmonchef
Subject pronoun
‘Je’ is the first‑person singular subject pronoun, always placed before the verb.
Présent de l’indicatif – préviendre
‘prévenir’ is a regular –re verb; in the present tense the 1st person singular ends in –s: je préviens.
Possessive adjective
‘mon’ agrees with the masculine noun ‘chef’; even if the boss is a woman, the masculine form is used.
Noun ‘chef’
‘chef’ means ‘boss, manager, head of a department’; it is masculine singular.
Prévenir vs. Avertir
‘prévenir’ can mean ‘to inform’ or ‘to warn’; context decides which nuance is intended.
🗨In Conversation
Je préviens mon chef que la réunion sera reportée à 15 h.
I’m letting my boss know that the meeting will be moved to 3 p.m.
Parfait, tiens‑moi au courant si quelque chose change.
Great, keep me posted if anything changes.
✕Common Mistakes
Je préviens ma chef.
‘Chef’ is masculine even when referring to a female manager; the correct possessive is ‘mon chef’.
Je avertis mon chef.
‘Avertir’ is stronger and usually means ‘to warn’; use ‘prévenir’ for neutral information.
Je prévient mon chef.
The verb must agree with the subject; ‘Je préviens’ (1st person singular) is correct, not ‘Je prévient’.
↔Alternatives
J'informe mon chef.
I inform my boss.
Je le préviens.
I’m warning/informing him.
Je le tiens au courant.
I’ll keep him updated.
Cultural Tip
In French professional settings, it’s common to use the verb ‘prévenir’ when you are giving a heads‑up about a change or a potential problem. Even if the boss is a woman, you still say ‘mon chef’ because the noun ‘chef’ stays masculine. For a more formal tone you can also say ‘J’informe mon supérieur’ or ‘Je notifie mon responsable’. Avoid overly casual phrasing in written emails; keep the sentence concise and polite.