Making Statements
Making clear statements in French starts with mastering key sentence patterns and useful linking words. This guide goes through the essential constructions and provides examples to practice.
Basic Sentence Structure
French sentences typically follow a Subject-Verb-Object order, and adjectives usually come after the noun they modify. Keeping this default order makes your statements clear and natural.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ Je me lĂšve tĂŽt. | I get up early. |
â Je prends un cafĂ©. | I have a coffee. |
đ¶ââïž Je marche dans le parc. | I walk in the park. |
Expressing Time
Use prepositions like en, dans, depuis and time expressions to situate actions relative to the present, past, or future. Time phrases often come at the beginning or end of the sentence for emphasis.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
â° Je me lĂšve Ă six heures. | I get up at six oâclock. |
đ Je dĂźne Ă vingt heures. | I have dinner at eight p.m. |
đ Le cours commence Ă quinze heures. | The class starts at three p.m. |
Talking About Habit and Frequency
To describe habitual actions, use the present tense along with adverbs of frequency such as souvent, toujours and expressions like tous les jours. This signals routines rather than single events.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đïž Je cours tous les matins. | I run every morning. |
đ§Ž Je me lave les mains souvent. | I wash my hands often. |
đïž Je fais la sieste parfois. | I sometimes take a nap. |
Stating Reasons
Link causes to effects with conjunctions like parce que, puisque and car. Placing the reason clause after the result makes your explanation clear and logical.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ§ïž Je reste dedans parce quâil pleut. | I stay inside because itâs raining. |
đ€ Je ne sors pas car je suis malade. | Iâm not going out because Iâm sick. |
đ§ Je suis en retard puisque jâai eu une panne. | Iâm late since I had a breakdown. |
Giving Examples
Introduce examples with phrases like par exemple, comme and notamment. These markers help listeners understand that you are illustrating a general point with specific cases.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ„ Je mange des fruits, par exemple des pommes et des bananes. | I eat fruit, for example apples and bananas. |
đ§Ž Jâutilise des produits naturels, comme du savon dâavoine. | I use natural products, like oatmeal soap. |
đââïž Je fais des exercices, par exemple la course et le yoga. | I do exercises, for example running and yoga. |
Adding Details
Use connectors such as et, en plus, de plus and aussi to add information. For more formal writing, turn to en outre or de surcroĂźt. Small linking words keep your statement smoothly connected.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ Jâhabite dans une maison avec un grand jardin. | I live in a house with a large garden. |
â Je bois du thĂ© vert, qui est trĂšs lĂ©ger. | I drink green tea, which is very light. |
đ Jâai un chien, un labrador trĂšs joueur. | I have a dog, a very playful labrador. |
Contrasting Ideas
Show contrast with mais, cependant, toutefois and au contraire. Placing these connectors at the start of the second clause highlights the difference and guides the reader through your argument.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ Je travaille dehors, mais le soir je me repose. | I work outside, but in the evening I rest. |
đ„ Je mange sainement, pourtant je goĂ»te un dessert. | I eat healthily, yet I try a dessert. |
đ¶ââïž Je marche le matin, alors que lâaprĂšs-midi je fais du vĂ©lo. | I walk in the morning, whereas in the afternoon I bike. |
Summarizing
To sum up or conclude, use expressions like en résumé, en bref, en somme and pour conclure. These phrases signal that you are bringing your points together for a final statement.
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ En bref, ma journĂ©e commence tĂŽt et finit tard. | In short, my day starts early and ends late. |
đ VoilĂ , je privilĂ©gie le bien-ĂȘtre au quotidien. | Thatâs it, I prioritize daily well-being. |
đ§č En somme, jâorganise mon temps pour tout faire. | Overall, I organize my time to do everything. |
Key Vocabulary
French Word(s) | English Word(s) |
---|---|
souvent | often |
toujours | always |
par exemple | for example |
en plus | moreover |
mais | but |
parce que | because |
French Example | English Translation |
---|---|
đ Le matin | The morning |
đïž La journĂ©e | The day |
đ Le soir | The evening |
đ Faire de lâexercice | To exercise |
đ Manger sain | To eat healthy |
đ§Ž Se laver | To wash oneself |
đ€ Se reposer | To rest |
đŁïž Parler | To speak |
âïž Ăcrire | To write |
đ Planifier | To plan |
Summary
Clear statements in French rely on sticking to basic word order, using time expressions to situate actions, and employing connectors to link ideas. Practicing these patterns will make your speech and writing more fluent and coherent.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025