French syntax rules governing sentence structure, word order, and agreement, providing a foundation for constructing clear and grammatically correct sentences.

French syntax is the set of rules that governs how words and phrases are arranged to form sentences. It covers the order of subjects, verbs, and objects; the placement of adjectives and pronouns; and how agreement works between different parts of a sentence. Understanding these basics is essential for writing and speaking French correctly.

Word Order

French generally follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, but there are important variations, especially with questions and negations.

Basic declarative sentence: Subject + Verb + Object
Adjectives usually follow the noun, but some come before
Questions can use inversion, "est-ce que," or just intonation
Negation wraps the verb with ne ... pas (or other negative words)

Where do most adjectives appear in relation to the noun in French?

Before the noun

After the noun

Between the verb and noun

At the end of the sentence

After the noun

Most French adjectives follow the noun, though some common adjectives come before the noun.

Agreement

In French, certain words must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural).

Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify
Past participles agree when used with être or with a preceding direct object
Pronouns match the gender and number of the nouns they replace

Sentence Types

French sentences can be declarative (statements), interrogative (questions), or imperative (commands).

Declarative sentences end with a period and follow normal word order
Interrogative sentences use inversion, est-ce que, or intonation
Imperative sentences use the verb alone (sometimes with nous or vous)

How are imperative sentences formed in French?

Include the subject pronoun (e.g., Tu parles !)

Use the verb alone without the subject pronoun (e.g., Parle !)

Start with 'Est-ce que'

End with a question mark

Use the verb alone without the subject pronoun (e.g., Parle !)

Imperatives use the verb alone (or with 'nous'/'vous'), omitting the subject pronoun (e.g., 'Parle !' not 'Tu parles !').

Common Pitfalls

French syntax differs from English in some key ways, leading to common errors:

Don’t use subject pronouns in imperative (Parle! not Tu parles!)
Remember to place object pronouns before the verb (Je le vois not Je vois le)
Use ne before the verb in negation, even if it’s sometimes omitted in speech

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These are the foundational rules that guide how French sentences are built. Each section below explores these principles with examples, helping you create grammatically correct and natural-sounding sentences.

Next Up: Sentence Structure

Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025