Word Order

Basic French Word Order

• In simple sentences, French follows the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order, like English.
• It’s important to note that adjectives usually come after the noun they modify, which is the opposite of English.
• Pronoun objects (both direct and indirect) usually come before the verb.

Complex Sentence Word Order

• In complex sentences with multiple verbs (conjugated and infinitive or participle), the pronoun objects in French generally precede the infinitive or participle, not the first conjugated verb.
• The word ‘ne’, used to form the negation, usually comes before the verb, while the second part (pas, jamais, rien etc.) follows the verb.
• Adverbial phrases or words often come after the verb, unlike in English.

Word Order with Imperatives

• When using imperatives, the pronoun object, if there is one, normally comes after the verb attached by a hyphen.
• However, in negative commands, the pronoun object precedes the verb.

Word Order in Inverted Questions

• In inverted questions (formal questions), the subject comes after the verb and is joined to it with a hyphen.
• However, when the verb ends in a vowel and the subject begins with a vowel, ‘t’ is added between the verb and subject to ease pronunciation.

Remember, as in many languages, word order rules in French are subject to exceptions and regional differences. Understanding the basics can help in mastering advanced structures.