Declarative sentences are the most common type of sentence in French. They are used to state facts, express opinions, or provide information. In French, declarative sentences follow a specific word order: subject + verb + object (if there is one). You can also add other elements like adjectives, adverbs, or prepositional phrases as needed.

Simple Declarative Sentences

Simple declarative sentences make straightforward statements using a single subject and verb.

The subject comes first (a noun or pronoun).
The verb follows the subject.
If there is an object, it follows the verb.
Example: Je mange une pomme. (I am eating an apple.)

Examples

Subject	Verb	Object	French Example	English Example
Je	mange	une pomme	Je mange une pomme.	I eat an apple.
Il	lit	un livre	Il lit un livre.	He reads a book.
Nous	allons	à l’école	Nous allons à l’école.	We go to school.

These sentences express simple facts or actions.
The word order is always subject-verb-object (SVO) if there is an object.

Using Adjectives and Adverbs

Declarative sentences can include adjectives to describe nouns and adverbs to modify verbs.

Adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun.
Adverbs usually come after the verb.
Example: Elle parle doucement. (She speaks softly.)

Examples

Subject	Verb	Modifier	French Example	English Example
Le chat	est	noir	Le chat est noir.	The cat is black.
Nous	parlons	rapidement	Nous parlons rapidement.	We speak quickly.
Ils	sont	fatigués	Ils sont fatigués.	They are tired.

Adjectives can come before or after the noun, depending on the adjective.
Adverbs typically follow the verb.

Compound Declarative Sentences

You can combine two simple declarative sentences using conjunctions like et (and), mais (but), or parce que (because).

Each clause has its own subject and verb.
Conjunctions connect the clauses.
Example: Je travaille et tu étudies. (I work and you study.)

Examples

Clause	Conjunction	Clause	French Example	English Example
Je travaille	et	tu étudies	Je travaille et tu étudies.	I work and you study.
Il fait froid	mais	il sort	Il fait froid mais il sort.	It’s cold but he goes out.
Nous restons	parce que	il pleut	Nous restons parce que il pleut.	We stay because it’s raining.

Compound sentences allow you to express more complex ideas.
The conjunction does not change the word order of the clauses.

Negation in Declarative Sentences

To make a declarative sentence negative, French uses ne ... pas around the verb.

ne precedes the verb; pas follows it.
In spoken French, ne is often dropped (je sais pas).
Example: Je ne comprends pas. (I do not understand.)

Examples

Subject	Verb	Object	Negative French Example	English Example
Je	comprends	la leçon	Je ne comprends pas la leçon.	I do not understand the lesson.
Ils	sortent	ce soir	Ils ne sortent pas ce soir.	They are not going out tonight.
Nous	avons	du temps	Nous n’avons pas de temps.	We do not have time.

ne ... pas is the most common way to negate in French.
Other negative words can replace pas, like jamais (never) or plus (no more).

Question Words in Declarative Contexts

Sometimes, declarative sentences include question words (qui, que, où, quand, pourquoi, comment) within indirect questions or statements.

The sentence remains declarative (not a direct question).
Question word introduces a subordinate clause.
Example: Je sais où il habite. (I know where he lives.)

Examples

Main Clause	Question Word + Clause	French Example	English Example
Je sais	où il travaille	Je sais où il travaille.	I know where he works.
Elle demande	pourquoi tu es en retard	Elle demande pourquoi tu es en retard.	She asks why you are late.
Nous savons	quand le train arrive	Nous savons quand le train arrive.	We know when the train arrives.

These are called indirect questions and are part of declarative sentences.
The word order in the subordinate clause follows normal subject-verb order.

Conclusion

Declarative sentences in French are used to make statements and convey information. They follow a standard word order and can be expanded with modifiers, conjunctions, negation, and question words within indirect speech.

Keep the subject-verb-object order in mind.
Use ne ... pas for negation.
Combine ideas with conjunctions.
Include question words only in indirect questions (not direct ones).

Flashcards (1 of 15)

Subject: Je
Verb: mange
Object: une pomme

English Example: I eat an apple.

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025