In French, syntax refers to the rules and principles that govern the order and relationship of words within a sentence. Understanding French sentence structure is key to mastering the language, as it allows you to construct clear and grammatically correct sentences.

A typical French sentence follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order:

Subject: the person or thing performing the action (e.g., je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles)
Verb: the action or state of being (e.g., parle, mange, va)
Object: the person or thing receiving the action (e.g., le livre, la pomme)

French also includes various sentence types:

Declarative: statements (e.g., Je parle français.)
Interrogative: questions, formed by inversion (Parles-tu français?), using est-ce que (Est-ce que tu parles français?), or intonation (Tu parles français?)
Imperative: commands or requests (e.g., Parle!)

Modifiers like adjectives typically follow the noun they describe, and adverbs usually come after the verb. Pronouns, prepositions, and conjunctions link ideas and provide cohesion within and between sentences.

By studying French syntax, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how the language works, making it easier to read, write, and speak French confidently.

A1

Simple Negations (ne…pas)

Declarative Sentences

A2

Basic Syntax Rules

Interrogative Sentences (Est-ce que, inversion, question words)

B1

Non-defining Clauses

Defining Clauses

Exclamatory Sentences

Other Negations (ne…plus, ne…jamais, etc.)

Basic Syntax Rules
Basic rules of French syntax, including sentence order, agreement, and key principles that govern how words are combined to form correct sentences.
Sentence Structure
Basics of French sentence structure for forming statements, questions, and negations.
- Declarative Sentences
  Declarative sentences in French, which are used to make statements or express facts.
- Interrogative Sentences (Est-ce que, inversion, question words)
  A detailed overview of how to form questions in French, including using est-ce que, inversion, and question words to ask clearly and correctly.
- Exclamatory Sentences
  Exclamatory sentences in French, including how to form them, common expressions, and their role in conveying strong emotions or emphasis.
Negations
Basics of forming negative sentences in French to express "not," including common structures like ne...pas, ne...jamais, and ne...plus.
- Simple Negations (ne…pas)
  Simple French negations using ne…pas, including how to form them, common examples, and usage tips.
- Other Negations (ne…plus, ne…jamais, etc.)
  Explains French negative constructions beyond ne…pas, including ne…plus (no longer), ne…jamais (never), and others, with examples.
Relative Clauses
Introduction to French relative clauses for combining sentences and adding detail.
- Defining Clauses
  Defining clauses in French, also known as restrictive relative clauses, explain exactly which person or thing we’re talking about using relative pronouns like qui, que, and dont. They provide essential information that specifies or restricts the meaning of the noun they modify, and cannot be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence.
- Non-defining Clauses
  Non-defining clauses in French, also known as non-restrictive clauses, add extra information to a sentence without changing its main meaning...

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

French

Syntax and Sentences

A1

A2

B1

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