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Sentence Structure

French sentence structure typically follows the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, similar to English, but with some important differences in agreement, placement of adjectives, and use of negation. A basic sentence includes a subject (who or what), a conjugated verb (action or state), and often an object (receiver of the action).
  • Subject first, followed by the conjugated verb.
  • Objects usually come after the verb.
  • Adjectives generally follow the noun they describe.
  • Negation is formed by placing ne...pas around the verb.
For example:
  • Je (subject) mange (verb) une pomme (object). — I eat an apple.
  • Une pomme rouge — A red apple (notice the adjective rouge after pomme).
French uses Subject-Verb-Object order for basic sentences.
Adjectives come after nouns, and negation sandwiches the verb, unlike in English.
Negation is formed with 'ne...pas' around the conjugated verb.
A typical sentence includes a subject, a conjugated verb, and optionally an object.

Main Parts of a French Sentence

A standard French sentence often includes:
  • Subject (sujet): The doer of the action (noun or pronoun).
  • Verb (verbe): The action or state, conjugated to agree with the subject.
  • Object (complément d'objet): Receives the action; can be direct or indirect.
  • Adjective (adjectif): Describes a noun, usually after it.
  • Adverb (adverbe): Modifies a verb, adjective, or whole sentence; placement varies.

Example

FrenchEnglishComponents
Le garçon mange une pommeThe boy eats an appleSubject (Le garçon), Verb (mange), Direct Object (une pomme)
La maison est grandeThe house is bigSubject (La maison), Verb (est), Adjective (grande)
A core French sentence has a subject, verb, and optionally an object.
Adjectives typically follow the noun in French.

Simple Sentence Examples

  1. Affirmative:
    1. Je parle français.
(I speak French.)
Subject (Je) + Verb (parle) + Object implied (French as language).
  1. Negative:
    1. Je ne parle pas espagnol.
(I do not speak Spanish.)
Negation: ne ... pas around the verb.
  1. Interrogative (with inversion):
    1. Parles-tu anglais?
(Do you speak English?)
Verb-subject inversion for formal questions.
  1. Interrogative (with est-ce que):
    1. Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat?
(Do you like chocolate?)
Est-ce que + standard word order.
Correct: Elle chante une chanson (S-V-O).
Questions are formed using verb-subject inversion or est-ce que.
Use 'ne...pas' around the conjugated verb for negation.

Adjective Placement

In French, most adjectives come after the noun they modify, which is different from English.
  • Noun + Adjective:
    • Un chien noir (A black dog)
    • Une idée intéressante (An interesting idea)
Exceptions include some common adjectives that come before the noun (e.g., beau, jeune, grand).
Adjectives usually follow the noun in French.
Adjectives generally follow nouns, except for some common ones like 'beau' or 'jeune'.

Negation

Negation in French is structured by placing ne ... pas around the verb.
  • Affirmative: Je mange. (I eat.)
  • Negative: Je ne mange pas. (I do not eat.)
Negation uses 'ne...pas' around the conjugated verb.
Negation is 'ne + verb + pas'.

Conclusion

French sentences revolve around a clear Subject-Verb-Object pattern, with unique twists like adjective placement and split negation. Mastering these rules helps unlock the logic behind every phrase you hear or read.
  • SVO is the backbone, but with adjectival and negation nuances.
  • Adjectives usually follow nouns, unlike in English.
  • Negation is a two-part construction bracketing the verb.
Declarative sentences follow Subject-Verb-Object order.
Negation is formed by placing 'ne...pas' around the conjugated verb.
Most adjectives follow the noun in French, unlike English.
You use inversion or 'Est-ce que' to form questions.